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A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more powered rotating wings called rotors. This allows them to operate from small landing sites. 

Doctor Valerie Andre in front of her helicopter with jungle in background
Aviation
Spaceflight
Astronomy
Behind the scenes
People
Records and Firsts
Science
Society and Culture
Technology and Engineering
War and Conflict

A helicopter is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more powered rotating wings called rotors. This allows them to operate from small landing sites. 

Doctor Valerie Andre in front of her helicopter with jungle in background

Stories

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AirSpace Revisited: Smoke from a Distant Fire AirSpace Season 8, Ep. 8: An Eye from Above
Flying the Martian Skies Up to Speed AirSpace Season 6, Ep. 4: Electricity
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On demand

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Pioneering Rotorcraft – From Autogiro to the Helicopter Presented Online Watch on demand
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Events

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Learn more Story Time: Yellow Copter National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Yellow Copter National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Yellow Copter National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in July 2025 at 11:00 am
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Exhibitions

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Learn more Vertical Flight Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA Learn more Thomas W. Haas We All Fly National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
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Learning Resources

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STEM in 30: Copters, Choppers and the Phrog: The Science of Vertical Flight This episode of STEM in 30 explores helicopters: their design, how they work, and the functions they play in our society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPv4Xo9jcs Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Helicopters

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 STEM in 30: Copters; Choppers and the Phrog: The Science of Vertical Flight This episode of STEM in 30 explores helicopters: their design; how they work; and the functions they play in our society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPv4Xo9jcs Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Helicopters

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 What’s New in Aerospace: Far Out Vehicles (Uber) Nikhil Goel from Uber Elevate and Dr. Roger Connor, curator in the aeronautics department at the National Air and Space Museum. Learn all about how you might get from place to place in the future. https://youtu.be/EQ6QnYLYLqY Grade 6, Grade 3, Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16, Grades 17-20 Aircraft, Commercial aviation, Helicopters

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