Helm (or helm control) is a term for the flight control operations onboard a starship or shuttle. Helm is responsible for controlling the flight operations of a ship, including warp, impulse and thruster control. Helm is also responsible for controlling the ship during a landing sequence or docking procedure.

The term is derived from old Earth navy parlance. In the 23rd century, in Starfleet, the helm was usually manned by a helmsman. The term fell into disuse in the 24th century, and while "helm" is still generally used to refer to flight control operations, the position manning it is called the flight controller, or conn (the latter of which is also used to refer to the station itself).

The actual helm console is usually near the front of a Starfleet ship's bridge. On some vessels, the helm stands alone (USS Voyager, USS Defiant, NX-01 Enterprise). Traditionally, Starfleet vessels have two forward positions, so the helm is paired with another station. The other console was the navigator on 23rd century ships such as USS Enterprise. Other consoles paired with the helm have been the stations of the operations (USS Enterprise-D) or tactical (USS Enterprise-C) officer.

A close look at the helm console of an NX-class starship

A close look at the helm of a 22nd-century shuttlepod

Hikaru Sulu operates the helm on the Constitution-class USS Enterprise

A close look at the helm console on a Constitution-class starship

Hikaru Sulu operates the helm on the USS Enterprise in the alternate reality

Valeris at the helm console of the USS Enterprise-A

A close look at the helm console on an Excelsior-class starship

A close look at the helm console on an Galaxy-class starship

Jadzia Dax operates the helm console on the USS Defiant

Lt. Hawk operates the helm console on the USS Enterprise-E.

Benjamin Sisko operates the helm on a Starfleet runabout

Tom Paris operates the helm console on the USS Voyager

Tom Paris operates the manual-style helm on the Delta Flyer

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