Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Rotorcraft shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Rotorcraft offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Rotorcraft at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Rotorcraft? Wrong! If the Rotorcraft is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Rotorcraft then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Rotorcraft? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Rotorcraft and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Rotorcraft wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Rotorcraft then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Rotorcraft site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Rotorcraft, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Rotorcraft, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

Rotorcraft is a category of heavier-than-air flying machines that use lift generated by wings that revolve around a mast called rotor blades. Several rotor blades mounted to a single mast is referred to as a helicopter rotor. Rotorcraft may also include the use of static lifting surfaces, but the primary distinguishing feature being lift provided by one or more rotors. Rotorcraft include helicopters, autogyros, gyrodynes and tiltrotors. A qualified applicant receives a pilot license in the category of rotorcraft, with a class rating for either helicopter or gyrocopter, depending on which aircraft is to be flown. Tiltrotors, while using rotors and principles that govern flight of rotorcraft, are classified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as powered lift aircraft.

Helicopters A helicopter is a rotorcraft whose rotors are driven by the engine(s) throughout the flight to allow the helicopter to take off vertically, hover, fly forwards, backwards and laterally, as well as to land vertically. Helicopters have several different configurations of one or more main rotors.

Helicopters with one driven main rotor require some sort of antitorque device such as a tail rotor, Fenestron, or NOTAR, although some rare examples of helicopters use tip jet propulsion which generates almost no torque.

Autogyros Unlike a helicopter, the rotor of an autogyro is driven by aerodynamic forces alone once it is in flight, and thrust is provided by an engine-powered propeller similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft. The autogyro is a distinct type of aircraft and not a hybrid between fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration refers to autogyros as gyrocopters.

Gyrodynes A Gyrodyne is a heavier-than-air aircraft with a rotor system that is normally driven by its engine for takeoff, hovering and landing like a helicopter, but which also has an additional propulsion system that is independent of the rotor system. At higher speeds, the rotor system acts similar to that of an autogyro, no longer driving the aircraft but simply providing lift. A technology proposal by Carter Copter Technologies, as well as a research project funded by DARPA both refer to gyrodyne-type concepts as heliplanes.

Tiltrotors As the name implies, a tiltrotor aircraft uses tiltable (rotating) propellers, or proprotors, for lift and propulsion. For vertical flight the proprotors are positioned horizontally to direct their thrust downwards, providing lift for vertical take off and landing, and hover. In this mode of operation the craft is essentially identical to a helicopter. As the craft gains speed, the proprotors are slowly tilted forward, eventually becoming perpendicular to the ground. In this mode the wing provides the lift, and the wing's greater efficiency helps the tiltrotor achieve its high speed.

External links

• American Helicopter Society
• American Helicopter Society, Philadelphia Chapter
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Rotorcraft is a category of heavier-than-air flying machines that use lift generated by wings that revolve around a mast called rotor blades. Several rotor blades mounted to a single mast is referred to as a helicopter rotor. Rotorcraft may also include the use of static lifting surfaces, but the primary distinguishing feature being lift provided by one or more rotors. Rotorcraft include helicopters, autogyros, gyrodynes and tiltrotors. A qualified applicant receives a pilot license in the category of rotorcraft, with a class rating for either helicopter or gyrocopter, depending on which aircraft is to be flown. Tiltrotors, while using rotors and principles that govern flight of rotorcraft, are classified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as powered lift aircraft.

Helicopters A helicopter is a rotorcraft whose rotors are driven by the engine(s) throughout the flight to allow the helicopter to take off vertically, hover, fly forwards, backwards and laterally, as well as to land vertically. Helicopters have several different configurations of one or more main rotors.

Helicopters with one driven main rotor require some sort of antitorque device such as a tail rotor, Fenestron, or NOTAR, although some rare examples of helicopters use tip jet propulsion which generates almost no torque.

Autogyros Unlike a helicopter, the rotor of an autogyro is driven by aerodynamic forces alone once it is in flight, and thrust is provided by an engine-powered propeller similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft. The autogyro is a distinct type of aircraft and not a hybrid between fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration refers to autogyros as gyrocopters.

Gyrodynes A Gyrodyne is a heavier-than-air aircraft with a rotor system that is normally driven by its engine for takeoff, hovering and landing like a helicopter, but which also has an additional propulsion system that is independent of the rotor system. At higher speeds, the rotor system acts similar to that of an autogyro, no longer driving the aircraft but simply providing lift. A technology proposal by Carter Copter Technologies, as well as a research project funded by DARPA both refer to gyrodyne-type concepts as heliplanes.

Tiltrotors As the name implies, a tiltrotor aircraft uses tiltable (rotating) propellers, or proprotors, for lift and propulsion. For vertical flight the proprotors are positioned horizontally to direct their thrust downwards, providing lift for vertical take off and landing, and hover. In this mode of operation the craft is essentially identical to a helicopter. As the craft gains speed, the proprotors are slowly tilted forward, eventually becoming perpendicular to the ground. In this mode the wing provides the lift, and the wing's greater efficiency helps the tiltrotor achieve its high speed.

External links

• American Helicopter Society
• American Helicopter Society, Philadelphia Chapter
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics