LESSON 3
HELICOPTER FUNDAMENTALS
Critical Tasks:
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn Helicopter Fundamentals.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
ACTION:
You will know helicopter fundamentals.
CONDITION:
You will be given the information provided in this text, a list of reference manuals,
and charts provided in the text.
STANDARD:
You will correctly answer all the questions in the practice exercise before you proceed
to the next lesson
REFERENCES: Listed in appendix I.
INTRODUCTION
3.1. GENERAL
If developing vertical flight has proved as simple as the idea itself, the helicopter undoubtedly would
have been the first practical aircraft in the field. In its first form, the helicopter was conceived by
Leonardo da Vinci in the early 1500's. Figure 3.1 shows a sketch of his idea. In his notes da Vinci used
the Greek work helix, meaning a spiral, and he is believed to have combined this word with the Greek
work pteron, meaning wing. It is from this combination of Greek words that our word helicopter is
derived.
Figure 3.1. Leonardo da Vinci Sketch of a Helixpteron.
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