What is a fun fact about helicopters?

The fastest speed recorded by a helicopter is around 400 kph (248 mph). The longest distance traveled in a helicopter without landing is 3562 km (2213 miles). Helicopters can be used to fight fires by carrying tanks or helibuckets filled with water. Hovering can be the most difficult skill when flying a helicopter.

What is unique about a helicopter?

Helicopters are classified as rotorcrafts. It uses rotors to supply the thrust and lift required for flight. The helicopter is unique in that it is able to take off and land vertically. It is also capable of hovering, flying forward, backward, and laterally.

What is the real name for helicopters?

Samaras
Samaras, also known as “helicopters” or “whirligigs.” Photo credit: J.S. Richardson, Duke University. More commonly referred to as “helicopters,” “whirlers,” “twisters” or “whirligigs,” samaras are the winged seeds produced by maple trees.

What are helicopters for kids?

A helicopter (also often used: chopper or heli) is a kind of flying machine or aircraft. A helicopter lifts up off of the ground and moves because of its rotors. A rotor is several small wings, called rotor blades, that spin together around a shaft.

Did you know about helicopters?

A helicopter is a type of airplane known as a vertical takeoff and landing craft (VTOL). It can have a long body or it can be short and compact. The helicopter does not have wings like an airplane. Instead, it has long blades or rotors.

What tree has whirlybirds?

Maple Trees
Maple Trees: “Whirlybirds” Maple trees flower in shade of green, red, orange and yellow. Maple trees also drop “whirlybirds” or helicopters, as kids call them.

Who invented the helicopter?

Igor Sikorsky
Paul CornuArthur M. Young
Helicopter/Inventors

While Igor Sikorsky is undoubtedly the father of the modern helicopter (Check out our infographic on the First Flying Helicopter!), the history of the helicopter is said by many to have started with an ingenious drawing by 15th century painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci.

What are helicopters good for?

Helicopters are useful because they can fly almost anywhere. They are used to rescue people from disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. Helicopters can quickly carry injured people to a hospital. They can even land on the roofs of some hospitals and other buildings.