Autorotation (helicopter) in the context of Helicopter

⭐ Core Definition: Autorotation (helicopter)

Autorotation is a state of flight in which the main rotor system of a helicopter or other rotary-wing aircraft turns by the action of air moving up through the rotor, as with an autogyro, rather than engine power driving the rotor. The term autorotation dates to a period of early helicopter development between 1915 and 1920, and refers to the rotors turning without the engine. It is analogous to the gliding flight of a fixed-wing aircraft.

The most common use of autorotation in helicopters is to safely land the aircraft in the event of an engine failure or tail-rotor failure. It is a common emergency procedure taught to helicopter pilots as part of their training.

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Autorotation (helicopter) in the context of Samara (fruit)

A samara (/səˈmɑːrə/, UK also: /ˈsæmərə/) is a winged achene, a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall. A samara is a simple dry fruit, and is indehiscent (not opening along a seam). The shape of a samara enables the wind to carry the seed further away from the tree than regular seeds would go, and is thus a form of anemochory.

In some cases the seed is in the centre of the wing, as in the elms (genus Ulmus), the hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata), and the bushwillows (genus Combretum). In other cases the seed is on one side, with the wing extending to the other side, making the seed autorotate as it falls, as in the maples (genus Acer) and ash trees (genus Fraxinus).

View the full Wikipedia page for Samara (fruit)

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Autorotation (helicopter) in the context of Helicopter

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⭐ Core Definition: Autorotation (helicopter)

Autorotation (helicopter) in the context of Samara (fruit)