One of the simplest methods of cooling a helicopter is to remove the doors allowing air to flow through the cockpit and engine compartments. Care must be taken to store the doors properly, whether in a designed door-holding rack in a hangar, or if it is necessary to carry them on the flight, in the helicopter. When storing the doors, care must be taken to not scratch the windows. Special attention should be paid to ensuring that all seat belt cushions and any other loose items are stored away to prevent ingestion into the main or tail rotor. When reattaching the doors, proper care must be taken to ensure that they are fully secured and closed.

Air conditioners or heat exchanges can be fitted to the helicopter as well. They operate by drawing bleed air from the compressor, passing it through the heart exchanger and then releasing it into the cabin. As the compressed air is released, the expansion absorbs heat and cools the cabin. The disadvantage of this type of system is that power is required to compress the air or gas for the cooling function, thus robbing the engine of some of its capability. Some systems are restricted from use during takeoff and landings.

Piston-powered helicopters use a heat exchanger shroud around the exhaust manifold to provide cabin heat. Outside air is piped to the shroud and the hot exhaust manifold heats the air, which is then blown into the cockpit. This warm air is heated by the exhaust manifold but is not exhaust gas. Turbine helicopters use a bleed air system for heat. Bleed air is hot, compressed, discharge air from the engine compressor. Hot air is ducted from the compressor to the bleed air heater assembly where it is combined with ambient air through and induction port mounted to the fuselage. The amount of heat delivered to the helicopter cabin is regulated by a pilot-controlled bleed air mixing valve.

Anti-icing is the process of protecting against the formation of frozen contaminant, snow, ice, or slush on a surface.

The anti-icing system found on most turbine-powered helicopters uses engine bleed air. Bleed air in turbine engines is compressed air taken from within the engine, after the compressor stage(s) and before the fuel is injected in the burners. The bleed air flows through the inlet guide vanes and to the inlet itself to prevent ice formation on the hollow vanes. A pilot-controlled, electrically operated valve on the compressor controls the air flow. Engine anti-ice systems should be on prior to entry into icing conditions and remain on until exiting those conditions. Use of the engine anti-ice system should always be in accordance with the proper RFM.

Airframe and rotor anti-icing may be found on some larger helicopters, but it is not common due to the complexity, expense, and weight of such systems. The leading edges of rotors may be heated with bleed air or electrical elements to prevent ice formation. Balance and control problems might arise if ice is allowed to form unevenly on the blades. Research is being done on lightweight ice-phobic (anti-icing) materials or coatings. These materials placed in strategic areas could significantly reduce ice formation and improve performance.

The pitot tube on a helicopter is very susceptible to ice and moisture buildup as well. To prevent this, they are usually equipped with a heating system that uses an electrical element to heat the tube.

Deicing is the process of removing frozen contaminant, snow, ice, and/or slush from a surface. Deicing of the helicopter fuselage and rotor blades is critical prior to starting. Helicopters that are unsheltered by hangars are subject to frost, snow, freezing drizzle, and freezing rain that can cause icing of rotor blades and fuselages, rendering them unflyable until cleaned. Asymmetrical shedding of ice from the blades can lead to component failure, and shedding ice can be dangerous as it may hit any structures or people that are around the helicopter. The tail rotor is very vulnerable to shedding ice damage. Thorough preflight checks should be made before starting the rotor blades. If any ice was removed prior to starting, ensure that the flight controls move freely. While in flight, for those helicopters that have them, deicing systems should be activated immediately after entry into an icing condition.

This chapter discussed all of the common components, sections, and systems of the helicopter. The chapter also explained how each of them work with one another to make flight possible.