Get to the chopper! Or, as Arnold would say it, “Get to the choppa!”
Without a doubt, helicopters are one of the most versatile modes of transport ever designed. While they may not be as fast as airplanes, helicopters can fly anywhere, and more importantly, land anywhere.
That’s why helicopters are invaluable for any search and rescue mission. Whether saving people stranded in the mountains or soldiers behind enemy lines, helicopters are your best bet to get the job done.
Do you want to know more interesting facts about helicopters? Then please keep on reading!
1. It’s Not “Heli+Cop+Ter” but “Helico+Pter”
Most think that the term ‘helicopter’ is divided into syllables. But in fact, the word comes from “helico-” (which means spiral) and “-pter” or “pteron” (which means wings, as in pterodactyl). French Gustave de Ponton d’Amécourt coined the word “hélicoptère” to refer to his small, steam-powered invention.
Some popular nicknames for helicopters are “chopper,” “helo,” “copter,” “windmill,” and “whirlybird.”
2. A Toy May Have Inspired the Concept of a Helicopter
One of the earliest references to vertical rotor flight is about children playing with a simple toy. Children in China have played with “bamboo-copters” since around 400 BC.
Feathers attached to a stick serve as the rotor blades. When spun, the toys fly into the air upon release.
3. Leonardo Da Vinci Sketched a Helicopter Design
Renaissance man Leonardo Da Vinci sketched a flying machine that looked very much like a modern-day helicopter. He even had precise notes on how the ‘aerial screw’ can accomplish lift if spun quickly enough.
4. Engineering Facts About Helicopters
Helicopters are the masters of three-dimensional space. Their design enables them to go up, down, left, right, forward, and backward.
Choppers can also hover and stand still in mid-air. They’re similar to hummingbirds in terms of maneuverability.
5. The Ideal Rescue Vehicle
The versatility of helicopters makes them perfect for search and rescue missions. They can maneuver through the most challenging flight paths due to their aerial mobility.
Copters can land almost anywhere because of their vertical take-off and landing capability. And even if a landing is impossible, they can still hover. Helicopters have saved thousands of people who have gotten lost at sea or got stranded in mountain tops.
6. Some Types of Helicopters Are Very Fast
While they’re not exactly known for their speed, some types of helicopters can go at a breathtaking pace. For example, the previous world record holder for helicopter flight speed, the Sikorsky X2, can zoom through the air at 287 miles per hour. The Eurocopter X3 beat this record by a whisker in June 2013 when it reached a top speed of 293 miles per hour.
While not technically a helicopter, the V22 Osprey can go even faster at 351 mph. It’s a hybrid vehicle that can take off, land, and hover like a helicopter and convert into airplane mode while flying.
7. Around the World in a Helicopter
Yes, you can circle the Earth while flying in a helicopter. A modified Bell 206 LongRanger, named the “Spirit of Texas,” first accomplished this feat.
H. Ross Perot Jr. and J. Coburn piloted this aircraft around the world in 29 days flying over 26 countries. They had to refuel 56 times but luckily didn’t experience any significant mechanical problems on their journey.
8. Made Gorgeous Aerial Cinematography Possible
The film ‘The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1945)’ was the first to use a camera platform on a helicopter. They used it to shoot a scene of storming the castle. Even if the scene didn’t make the final cut, it pioneered using a helicopter for cinema, television, and photography.
Today, you can take a flight tour for the pleasure of capturing video footage and pictures of your favorite places. Flying on a helicopter can be extremely rewarding for photography buffs.
9. Have You Heard of the “Jesus Nut”?
The “Jesus Nut” is one of the most crucial parts of a helicopter. But what exactly is it? The Jesus nut is the nut that holds the rotor blades onto a helicopter.
US soldiers in Vietnam coined the term because if this nut ends up breaking, your best hope for survival is to pray to a higher power.
10. Helicopters Can Reach Serious Heights
Typically, choppers can fly at altitudes ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 feet. But did you know that some of the best helicopters have landed on top of Mount Everest (29,029 feet)?
Of course, the flight is not only challenging but also dangerous. To overcome the thinning air pressure, you’ll need a helicopter with a more powerful engine and larger rotors.
11. Birds Attacking Whirlybirds
Some species of birds are highly territorial and aggressive. Eagles consider helicopters as predators that are after their nest sites.
In particular, the Australian wedge-tailed eagle will attack as soon as it sees any flying machine that wanders into its territory. They’ve been known to attack paragliders, expensive drones, and yes, even helicopters.
12. Planning a Prisonbreak? Rent a Helicopter!
Helicopters excel at saving people, but they might be too good. While choppers have been used for the noble intention of rescuing people in trouble, some have also used them for more nefarious purposes.
One of the most infamous incidents happened in 1986 in France. A woman who is the wife of a notorious bank robber taught herself how to pilot a helicopter. In a daring operation, she rented a helicopter and flew it over the prison to extricate her husband off the roof.
13. A Helicopter Has Landed on Mars
NASA has sent a crewless helicopter named Ingenuity to the red planet. It hitched a ride to Mars attached to the belly of a rover that launched on July 30, 2020. It landed on the Jezero Crater on Mars last February 18, 2021.
To date, Ingenuity has completed 11 flight missions on Mars. It has collected and delivered images and other precious information to scientists in NASA.
A Magic Carpet Ride
Igor Sikorsky, an aviation pioneer, said helicopters are the closest to humankind’s dreams of flying horses and magic carpets. Hopefully, these facts about helicopters can help you appreciate this modern marvel.
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