In a helicopter, torque display for a main rotor mast is mounted and connected to be driven from a power source at its base and connected to a main rotor at its tip. A reference member secured inside the main mast at the tip thereof depends freely and extends coaxially the length of the mast to a point adjacent the base thereof. A separate index is carried by the reference member adjacent to the base and by the main rotor mast adjacent to its base. A pick-off senses rotational movement of one index relative to the other and provides for actuation of a torque indicator for the pilot of the helicopter.