Why is helicopter mast tilted forward?

Helicopters point nose down when taking off because to accelerate from a hover the main rotor disk needs to tilt forward to create a horizontal component of thrust to propel the aircraft forward.

How does a helicopter propel forward?

The rotor blades are pitched lower in the front of the rotor assembly than behind it. This increases the angle of attack — and creates lift — at the back of the helicopter. The unbalanced lift causes the helicopter to tip forward and move in that direction.

Why do helicopters have two pilots?

If one pilot were to have a catastrophic medical issue at any point during the flight, the second pilot is there to take control and continue safely. When two pilots are used on a flight each pilot is required to be trained certified, rated, and capable to fly that aircraft by themselves.

How long can a helicopter hover in the same spot?

Generally, though, a helicopter can hover anywhere between 2- 5 hours on average before it needs to be refueled. The length of time depends on the type of helicopter, the efficiency of the engines and main rotor system, as well as the kind of hover a pilot wants to hold.

Is tail rotor design the most complex subject in Helicopter dynamics?

Yes, tail rotor design is probably the most complex subject in helicopter dynamics. As you know, the tail rotor counters the torque applied to the fuselage by the rotation of the main rotor. Since the tail rotor generates lift in the horizontal axis, it also produces a force which will move the helicopter across the ground (tail rotor drift).

What causes a helicopter to move horizontally?

Tilting the rotor plane of rotation causes the aircraft to move horizontally. Figure 1 shows the major components of a typical helicopter. Figure 1. The major components of a helicopter are the airframe, fuselage, landing gear, powerplant/transmission, main rotor system, and antitorque system

What is the rotor system of a helicopter?

The rotor system is the rotating part of a helicopter which generates lift. The rotor consists of a mast, hub, and rotor blades. The mast is a cylindrical metal shaft that extends upwards from and is driven, and sometimes supported, by the transmission.

How are the rotor blades attached to the mast?

At the top of the mast is the attachment point for the rotor blades called the hub. The rotor blades are then attached to the hub by any number of different methods. Main rotor systems are classified according to how the main rotor blades are attached and move relative to the main rotor hub.