Helicopter

A helicopter is an aircraft that can take off and land vertically, hover in place, and move in different directions without needing a long runway. Its main lifting system is a rotor made of long blades that rotate around a vertical mast. As the blades move through the air, they create aerodynamic lift that supports the aircraft.

By changing the blades’ angle, the pilot can control the amount and direction of lift. On many conventional helicopters, a smaller tail rotor counters the torque produced by the main rotor and helps control the aircraft’s heading. Some designs use two main rotors instead, arranged in different ways.

Most helicopters use piston or turbine engines that transfer power to the rotor system. Cockpit controls let the pilot adjust lift, tilt the aircraft, and change its direction and speed. This versatility is useful when there is no suitable runway or when a precise landing point is needed.

Helicopters are used for passenger transport, medical evacuation, rescue, firefighting, construction, surveying, and some military missions. They generally consume more energy per passenger than many fixed-wing aircraft and usually fly more slowly. Their ability to hover and land in relatively small areas, however, gives them an important advantage in places that are difficult to reach by road or conventional aircraft.