/ Blog / which helicopter blades generate the most lift?
Particularly useful when people need access to places with tricky terrain and no runways available for a plane to take off or land, helicopters were first developed by Igor Sikorsky (1889-1972) in 1939. These incredibly complex machines use aerodynamic force to oppose weight and maneuver through the atmosphere with the help of a number of vital components.
While airplanes create lift using their forward speed to manipulate air pressure above and below their wings, airfoil-shaped helicopter rotor blades are spun by the engine itself, creating lift. Helicopters make air move around airfoils in a similar fashion to fixed-wing aircraft, but these airfoils are built into a central mast which rotates at high speed. Acting like thin wings, the rotors create a massive downdraft of air that pushes the helicopter upward.
The main rotor in particular generates the most lift in a helicopter and is specifically designed to provide the necessary upward force for the helicopter to take off and remain in the air. This component consists of several blades that rotate around a central shaft, and as the blades spin, they create a lift force by generating an airflow over their curved surfaces, and this force is proportional to the speed of the rotor blades and the angle of attack, or the angle at which the blades meet incoming air. The difference in pressure above and below the rotor blades creates lift, which acts perpendicularly to the direction of the airflow and is responsible for keeping the aircraft aloft.
A helicopter’s tail rotor, on the other hand, is responsible for providing control and stability. It generates a smaller amount of lift as compared to the main rotor and is primarily used to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor to prevent the helicopter from spinning in the opposite direction.
In conclusion, the main rotor is the primary source of lift in a helicopter, while the tail rotor is mainly tasked with providing stability and directional control. Just Parts Unlimited is a top distributor of rotary wing aircraft parts and components, and we offer a wide range of rotary wing aircraft parts and services which play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of helicopters around the world. To start the buying process, fill out an RFQ form for any desired aircraft rotary wing parts and let us do the rest.