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For a long time no one could devise an engine that could generate enough vertical thrust to lift both the helicopter and any significant load off the ground. The first helicopter was built by Igor Sikorsky in 1909 but neither the prototype not its successor in 1910 succeeded. During World War I, Theodore von Karman constructed a helicopter that was able hover for extended periods. Years later, Juan de la Cierva developed a machine called an autogiro which became popular in the 1920s and 30s. The helicopter was eventually perfected by Igor Sikorsky with advances in aerodynamic theory and building materials. It was used extensively during World War II.
A TYPICAL HELICOPTER
A typical helicopter has four(4) compartments; The rotor blades The fuselage The tail plane The landing gear A helicopters power comes from either a piston engine or a gas turbine (recently, the latter has predominated), which moves the rotor shaft causing the rotor to turn. The rotor achieves lift by pushing the
THE FUSELAGE
Canopies, windscreens and passenger compartment windows are generally made of polycarbonate sheet. They are made by laying the sheet over a mould, heating it and forming it with air pressure in a process called free-blowing in which no tool ever touches the part. Other materials used are polystyrene, fibreglass and carbon fibre. These materials have the following characteristics; Polystyrene is very inexpensive and serve as very good protective shells for little helicopters. Polycarbonate is light and inexpensive but cold weather makes them very brittle. Fibreglass is heavier and more expensive but stronger.
A TYPICAL HELICOPTER
The hotelicopter is modelled on an old soviet Mil V-12 helicopter and features 18 luxuriouslyappointed soundproof rooms complete with queen sized beds, wireless internet and room service as expected from a 5-star hotel.