It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Rotary-wing aircraft. (Discuss)

Rotorcraft is a category of heavier-than-air flying machines that uses lift generated by rotors and may include static lifting surfaces contributing less than half the required lift. This makes them different from fixed wing aircraft. The latter get their lift by air being thrust over their static lifting surfaces (wings). Airplanes get this thrust by a propeller. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Rotary-wing aircraft is a broad category of any aircraft with a moving wing, including helicopters and autogyros. ... R0t0r is from efnet ... Fixed-wing aircraft is a term used to refer to what are more commonly known as aeroplanes in Commonwealth English (excluding Canada) or airplanes in North American English. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The two modern types of rotorcraft are helicopters and gyrocopters (previously known as Autogyros). A qualified applicant receives a pilot license in the category of rotorcraft, with a class rating for either helicopter or gyrocopter, depending on which he or she can fly. Few gyrocopter licenses are issued today. The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors. ... An autogyro (only an autogiro when made by Cierva (see below)), sometimes called a gyroplane or Gyrocopter™, is an aircraft with an unpowered rotary wing, or rotor, that resembles a helicopter. ... Modern Autogyro, ELA-07, Casarrubios del Monte Airfield, Spain, 2004. ... Pilot licences (in the United States, certificates) are issued by national aviation authorities, and establish that the holder has been trained by a qualified instructor and has met a specific set of knowledge and experience requirements. ...

External links

• American Helicopter Society
• American Helicopter Society, Philadelphia Chapter
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Rotorcraft Design