Helicopter

A helicopter is an aircraft without wings that flies by means of a large overhead propellor and a smaller one on the side of the tail in the rear. Helicopters have the advantatage of being able to rise straight up or descend straight down, requiring only a small space to land and take off. They are also capable of hovering in a stationary position in mid-air. These unusual flight characteristics make helicopters uniquely sutiable for certain tasks:


 * 1) Search and Rescue in mountainous or forested areas where a winged aircraft cannot land, and for hauling people off sinking ships or out of the water as they hover overhead.
 * 2) Military Operations where they are used as gun and missile platforms for air to ground attack, or for troop transport.
 * 3) Police Surveillance and Pursuit of suspects.
 * 4) Television Coverage of events from the air.
 * 5) Rapid Transport to the top of buildings in the middle of large cities.

Helicopters were first used in large numbers by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, as shown in the movie Apocalypse Now.