What are common symptoms of a hydraulic system failure and the typical crew responses?

• A. Hydraulic system leaks only affect cabin air.
• B. The hydraulic system is irrelevant to flight control.
• C. Stiff controls are normal during high altitude operations.
• D. Loss of hydraulic pressure or stiff controls; switch to alternative system if equipped, perform safe landing or follow emergency procedures.

Answer: (D)

Hydraulic power is what makes the helicopter’s flight controls move with light effort. When hydraulic pressure is lost or a system is stuck, you lose that assist, so the controls feel heavy and the authority you have over the cyclic, collective, and pedals is reduced. In the UH-60, there are multiple hydraulic systems, and the crew uses the alternate or emergency hydraulic system if available to restore some control when the primary system isn’t working.

The proper response is to switch to the available alternate/emergency hydraulic system to regain as much control as possible, then fly to a safe landing or follow the emergency procedures checklist. This keeps you in control enough to manage a controlled approach and landing rather than continuing with failing, stiff controls.

Notes on the other ideas: leaks don’t just affect cabin air, flight controls rely on hydraulics, and stiff controls are not normal—especially not at any altitude where they indicate a hydraulic failure.