Here are some fun facts about helicopters.
Helicopters have rotors on the top, which help it move through the air.
A helicopter’s rotors are used to push air downwards and make flight possible.
The word “helicopter” is derived from the Greek words “helix,” meaning spiral, and “pteron,” meaning wing.
Over the years, helicopters have become a staple of modern life. You see them buzzing around your city on the evening news, flying high above skyscrapers during sporting events and transporting sick children to hospitals.
But it’s hard to imagine a world without these versatile machines. And while they seem like they would be fairly simple to operate, it takes a highly skilled pilot to fly one of these craft.
Pilots need 100 hours of flight time before they can even attempt the written exam for their helicopter pilot certificate. Once they pass that test, they need at least 40 more hours of flight training with an instructor. They also need to past an additional oral and practical test given by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner.
If that’s not enough, helicopter pilots must also pass a physical exam every two years in order to keep their pilot’s license. In order to pass the physical exam, their vision needs to be 20/40 or better with glasses or contact lenses. The FAA will waive this requirement if the pilot wears glasses during all phases of flight.
Helicopter rides to the Grand Canyon are a great way to experience the beauty of one of the world’s most majestic locations!
Did you know that the first helicopter to fly was created by the Russians in 1939?
In the 1950s, helicopters began to be used in military operations.
The Sikorsky R-4 is a two-seat helicopter that was first used by the US Navy during World War II.
The Bell 47 is a three-seat helicopter that has been flying since 1941. It was used by the US Army in World War II and saw action in Korea as well. It is often considered the first modern helicopter.
A helicopter can only stay up for about 90 minutes before it needs fuel.
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more horizontally-spinning rotors.
Helicopters are defined by the fact that their lift is generated by one or more sets of powered rotating horizontal blades, called a rotor. Helicopters have several different components that make them unique from other aircraft, including:
Tail rotor – this rotor pushes the tail in the opposite direction of the main rotor to offset torque created by the main rotor.
Aircraft controls – these include collective, throttle, cyclic and anti-torque controls.
Main rotor – these counter-rotating rotors provide both lift and propulsion for a helicopter.
Helicopters have been used for evacuations since the Korean War. This is one of the more important functions helicopters serve in the U.S. military and around the world.
The first helicopter evacuation involving U.S. forces occurred on May 18, 1951, when an H-5 was dispatched to rescue a downed F-80 pilot behind enemy lines in Korea. It took two attempts before the helicopter crew was able to remove Capt. Frank Losonsky from his hiding place and return him safely to friendly forces. The mission took more than three hours, but it was a success!
This mission set a precedent for future rescues, including those carried out today in Iraq and Afghanistan by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters.
The Army would not have been able to accomplish this historic mission without the development of helicopter technology by Igor Sikorsky and others who came before him. There is no doubt that Sikorsky’s invention has saved countless lives throughout history, as well as given millions of people an opportunity to experience the wonder of flight!
Helicopters have been used since the early 20th century for many purposes. The first truly effective helicopters were military, but now they are also used for search, rescue and even sightseeing.
Helicopter history is exciting because of the number of people who have tried to create a workable helicopter. Some of their vehicles were successful, but many others were not. Many inventors worked individually to create helicopters, including Igor Sikorsky in Russia (who eventually came to the United States) and Etienne Oehmichen in France. Another inventor was Juan de la Cierva, who created an aircraft that could tilt its wings so it could move forward without stalling. This type of helicopter is called an autogyro.
The most successful helicopters have been built by companies such as Bell Helicopter and Boeing Helicopters (which are now separate companies). These helicopters were used by the U.S. military during World War II and the Korean War. In fact, the Bell 47 was used on television shows such as M*A*S*H during that time period.
Another helicopter success story is the Sikorsky S-51 rescue helicopter, which was used during WWII and the Korean War before being retired in 1960. The most famous rescue