The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was the first successful, practical, and fully controllable helicopter in 1936, while in 1942, the Sikorsky R-4 became the first helicopter to reach full-scale production.

Nov 29, 2025 · A helicopter is an aircraft with at least one horizontal propeller or rotor which enables the craft to take off and land vertically, move in any direction, and remain stationary in the air.

Download Rotor to receive all the latest information about our civil and military helicopters and to get the latest news from the thousands of operators who carry out vital missions every day. Available in …

So if you’re a helicopter buff or just curious about helicopters, come along as we explore the seven types of helicopters and learn what separates them from the rest. What is a helicopter? A helicopter is a …

Oct 23, 2025 · Since practical flights began in the 1930s, helicopters have split into clear categories: light trainers and patrol craft, medium EMS and police models, and heavy platforms for troop and …

As an aircraft, the primary advantages of the helicopter are due to the rotor blades that revolve through the air, providing lift without requiring the aircraft to move forward. This lift allows the helicopter to …

Apr 17, 2025 · At the heart of every helicopter is a remarkable feat of engineering – the spinning rotor system that generates the lift to overcome gravity and propel the aircraft through the air.

Jan 31, 2025 · Helicopters are among the most versatile and fascinating aircraft in the world. With their ability to hover, take off vertically, and maneuver in tight spaces, they serve a wide range of …

The word "helicopter" (hélicoptère) was coined in 1861 by Gustave de Ponton d'Amécourt, a French inventor who demonstrated a small, steam-powered model, but it was not until after the invention of …

List of United States military helicopters A Boeing AH-64 Apache, an attack helicopter