Helicopters - Page 3

The past six decades of helicopter history has seen its fair share of triumphs – but sadly has also borne witness to far too many tragedies. The entries on this list rank among the most tragic incidents in helicopter history. As this list demonstrates, there are myriad potential causes of a helicopter crash, each of

While the Vietnam War is by far the conflict most closely associated with helicopter warfare in movies and media, much of the groundwork for that was laid during the Korean War, both in the helicopters that served and those that came afterward. The US Armed Forces began significantly investing in helicopters in the late 40s

“From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli,” the United States Marine Corps has been involved in some of the fiercest combat in US history – and thus requires helicopters worthy of “The Few, the Proud, the Marines.” Part of the reason the USMC is such a vaunted fighting force is that they

Few countries have left their mark on the history of aviation quite as much as Russia, and that includes helicopters. Past, present, and future, military, transport, and otherwise, these helicopters have achieved liftoff into the pantheon of the best Russian helicopters. One of the most important things to keep in mind about Russia’s wide range

Many hikers have had their treks through National Parks interrupted by the sounds of helicopters flying overhead. These helicopters are typically flown by the aviation branch of the National Park Service. So, what are these helicopters doing and where are they going? TLDR – Helicopters are primarily used in National Parks for resource and wildlife

Everyone knows that airplanes have devices called “black boxes.” A black box captures flight data and sound. In the event of a crash, investigators can use data from the device to determine the cause. So, do helicopters have black boxes too? TLDR – Helicopters rarely have black boxes. The FAA does not require flight recorders

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