Helicopters

Most people recognize the sound of a helicopter when they hear it, thanks to the distinct “whoop-whoop” noise of the blades. When a helicopter flies low enough, it may even produce harmful levels of noise. The blades are partially responsible for the noise, but there is much to consider.  TLDR – Helicopters are so loud […]

During the Vietnam War, it was not uncommon to see photos of soldiers with their feet dangling from a Huey. War movies also promote this image, with soldiers ready to jump from the helicopter as soon as it lands. So, how do those soldiers keep from falling out? TLDR – Soldiers do not fall from […]

Commercial airlines are equipped with autopilot systems, allowing for safe flight without continuous manual control from the pilots. The first autopilots were developed in 1912 and used commercially as early as the 1920s. This leads many people to wonder whether helicopters have autopilot.   TLDR – Some modern helicopters are equipped with autopilot systems that allow […]

Buying a helicopter is a major purchase, with an average price of close to $1.8 million. Owning a helicopter also comes with extra costs, such as insurance, storage, maintenance, and fuel. Helicopters also tend to cost more compared to light fixed-wing aircraft. So, why are helicopters so expensive? TLDR – The cost of a helicopter […]

Helicopters create a lot of noise, making it easy to detect when one is flying over a house. It is not uncommon for helicopters to fly over residential areas. However, detecting a military helicopter flying overhead may cause a homeowner to worry. So why would military helicopters fly over your house? TLDR – The most common […]

Helicopters are used by every branch of the US military, including the army, marines, navy, air force, and coast guard. During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers.  The United States used a variety of types of helicopters throughout […]

Helicopters use horizontally spinning rotors to generate lift and thrust, allowing them to fly vertically and hover. The rotors require power to spin, which comes from the engine. While turboshaft engines are the most common type of engine, light helicopters may have a piston engine. The earliest helicopter designs were concepts that relied on rubber […]

Helicopters often appear to fly at relatively low altitudes compared to other aircraft. This may lead people to wonder how high a helicopter can truly fly. Are they able to achieve the same altitude as airplanes? What happens if they go too high? TLDR – Helicopters with turbine engines can reach altitudes of 25,000 feet […]

Manhattan is a city of more than 12-million people, yet pilots are still flying helicopters over it on a regular basis. Some people have the impression that this is illegal, while others are just curious about what the laws are regarding flying over a city this size. The truth is somewhere in between. Can Helicopters […]

Most people are fascinated with helicopters, and there is little wonder why. These birds can fly in most directions, hover in the air, and even land on water if they have to. This makes them very unique creations, and if you’re interested in the history of the helicopter, keep reading. Ever since around 400 BC […]