3-13 Aviation

A helicopter is wingless.  It has a rotating wing called a "rotor."  The helicopter belongs to a group of aircraft known as rotorcraft.  Rotorcraft become airborne by way of a rotating wing.  Air passing over the whirling rotor blades lifts the helicopter upward like a wing lifts an airplane.

The helicopter is more resourceful than other aircraft.  When taking off or landing, it can fly straight up or straight down.  This allows it to go places other aircraft are unable to go.  Helicopters need very little take off or landing space and can hover while in the air.  Hover means to stay in one place.  They can also fly much closer to the ground than airplanes.  Accident victims can be picked up at an accident scene and flown quickly to a hospital.  Helicopters help farmers plant seeds, fertilize crops, and control insects.  News reporters use helicopters to check and report traffic conditions on busy city streets.  The helicopter is a very important and valuable aircraft because it can perform many missions in places that can not be reached by other forms of transportation.

Directions: Answer the questions about helicopters and their important features.

The rotating wing on a helicopter is called a .

The helicopter belongs to a group of aircraft known as

lighter-than-air aircraft
rotorcraft

Helicopters need

very little take off or landing space.
to be filled with helium.

To hover means to

fly quickly through the sky.
stay in one place while in the air.

Which of the following statements is true?

Helicopters can fly much closer to the ground than airplanes.
Airplanes  can fly much closer to the ground than helicopters.