Helicopter

A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The word helicopter is derived from the Greek words helix (spiral) and pteron (wing). The engine-driven helicopter was invented by the Slovak inventor Jan Bahyl. The first stable, fully-controllable helicopter placed in production was invented by Igor Sikorsky.

History

Since around 400 BC the Chinese had a flying top that was used as a children's toy. This toy eventually made its way to Europe via trade and has been depicted in a 1463 European painting. Incidentally, the Wright brothers as children were given a rubber-band-powered version of this toy invented by Alphonse Penaud and were very much fascinated by it and built their own copies. "Pao Phu Tau" was 4th century AD book in China that described some of the ideas in a rotary wing aircraft.

Related Topics:
400 BC - Chinese - 1463 - Wright brothers - Alphonse Penaud - 4th century AD

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The first somewhat practical idea of a human carrying helicopter was first conceived by Leonardo da Vinci around 1490, but it was not until after the invention of the powered aeroplane in the 20th century that actual models were produced. Developers such as Jan Bahyl, Oszkár Asbóth, Louis Breguet, Paul Cornu, Juan de la Cierva, Emile Berliner, Ogneslav Kostovic Stepanovic and Igor Sikorsky pioneered this type of aircraft. A flight of the first fully controllable helicopter was demonstrated by Raúl Pateras de Pescara 1916 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The German Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was the first practical helicopter. It first flew in 1934. The Bell 47 designed by Arthur Young was the first helicopter to be licensed (in March 1946) for use in the United States.

Related Topics:
Leonardo da Vinci - 20th century - Jan Bahyl - Oszkár Asbóth - Louis Breguet - Paul Cornu - Juan de la Cierva - Emile Berliner - Ogneslav Kostovic Stepanovic - Igor Sikorsky - Raúl Pateras de Pescara - 1916 - Buenos Aires - Argentina - Focke-Wulf Fw 61 - Bell 47 - Arthur Young - 1946 - United States

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Reliable helicopters capable of stable hover flight were developed decades after fixed wing aircraft. This is largely due to higher engine power density requirements when compared with fixed wing aircraft. Igor Sikorsky is reported to have delayed his own helicopter research until suitable engines were commercially available. Improvements in fuels and engines during the first half of the 20th century were a critical factor in helicopter development. Availability of lightweight turboshaft engines in the second half of the 20th century lead to development of larger, faster, and higher performance helicopters. Turboshaft engines are the preferred powerplant for all but the smallest and least expensive helicopters today.

Related Topics:
20th century - Turboshaft

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