Aircraft with rotating propeller-like blades (rotors) on top that can hover in place, take off vertically, and fly in any direction without needing a runway.
From Greek 'helix' (spiral) and 'ptera' (wings), literally 'spiral wings.' The term was coined in the late 19th century before functional helicopters existed, by French engineer Gustave Ponton d'Amécourt who designed an experimental flying machine.
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