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.

3 days ago · A helicopter is an aircraft with one or more power-driven horizontal propellers or rotors that enable it to take off and land vertically, to move in any direction, or to remain stationary in the air.

One thing that has characterized the helicopter since its invention in the 1930s has been the absurdity of the machine. The contraption simply looks unable to deliver on its promise, which is to fly up and …

A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more powered rotating wings called rotors. This allows them to operate from small landing sites.

Airbus delivers the most efficient helicopters to customers who serve, protect, save lives and carry passengers in demanding environments.

Nov 13, 2025 · Nearly 100 years after practical rotorcraft first flew, rotary-wing machines now reach remote peaks and congested city rooftops with life-saving speed. A helicopter is a rotorcraft that uses …

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.

Helicopters are effective, adaptable, and enable free-spirited flight to accomplish whatever needs to be done when it needs to be done—from firefighting to search and rescue to military engagements. But …

Know the history and challenges of developing a successful helicopter compared to an airplane. Better understand the factors that affect the hovering, climbing, and descending flight performance of …

Learn about helicopter types and models used in the military, firefighting, private charters, and more. We also cover popular models and use cases.