 |
1922 |
This inventor from Argentina is the first to build a
helicopter that flies using special controls. The special controls are called
a collective and a cyclic. The cyclic makes it possible for helicopters
to fly forward, backward and side to side. The cyclic control makes it much
safer to fly a helicopter. Inventors who make rotorcraft use these new controls
in their machines. |
|
1924 |
| This engineer and pilot from France is the first to fly a rotorcraft for 1 kilometer (less than a mile!) along a set route. The flight lasts 7 minutes and 40 seconds. |
|
1928 |
 This
pilot and inventor from Italy flies over 18 meters (60 feet) high in a helicopter.
It is the highest flight for a helicopter. |
|
1930s |
This inventor from Spain invents the autogiro. His autogiro
has a hinged, flapping rotorblade. This new rotorblade gives the rotorcraft
more lift. |
|
1935 |
This aircraft inventor from France invents a gyroplane.
It has a fuselage like an airplane. It has two very big rotors. One rotor
spins clockwise. The other rotor spins counter-clockwise. This keeps it
balanced during flight. It flies at 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per
hour). |
|
1936 |
This inventor from Germany builds the first practical
helicopter. The pilot can safely control it. It can reach a speed of 120
kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour). It can fly as far as 241 kilometers
(150 miles). It is flight tested by a female test pilot, Hanna Reitsch.
|
|
1936 |
An autogiro does not really fly like a helicopter. The
rotor on top gives lift. It does not give thrust or power. The autogiro
does not hover or fly straight up (vertically). The autogiro will take off
and land like an airplane. It does not need a long runway to land or take
off. If the engine stops working, the rotor on top helps the autogiro land
like a helicopter. |
