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Why can't helicopters fly upside down?

Updated: 9/15/2023
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12y ago

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Actually, a helicopter can fly upside down but not for long.If you go to... http://www.guardian.co.UK/notesandqueries/query/0,,-186989,00.htmlYou can get answer to why I say they can fly upside down. They can only fly upside down for a certain amount of time though.My reference is ^. I am NOT playgerizing.The reason is due to the design of the rotor blades and the grips that hold them and the mast. It is how the parts were designed to carry loads. Most Mast and Blade designs are build to carry a load UNDER it but it is not rigid enough to invert it so the load is above it.Most vintage Bell Helicotpers had teetering rotors and was limited to about 60 degree banks because the rotor blade would bang against the mast. In the 1980's they had some accidents involving "mast bumping" and they had to redesign the rotor system to include bumper pads or stiff springs to absorb the shock of the blade hitting the mast.However, most times that helicopters are flown upside-down they are flying such that the G-forces is still loading the rotor blades in the same direction. They can do a Loop or a Split-S and the momemtum of the helicopter keeps the rotor blades loaded in a positive force. They very seldom fly inverted in level flight so the load on the rotor is Negative.

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12y ago
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Q: Why can't helicopters fly upside down?
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Continue Learning about Physics

Why do planes fly upside down?

Either because the pilot put it like that because he wanted to, or because he messed up. There is very little practical need for inverted flying.


When flying south why dont you go upside down?

Birds and other animals that fly south during migration follow natural navigational cues such as the sun, stars, and landmarks. They do not need to go upside down because their internal compasses and instinctual behaviors guide them in the right direction. Additionally, flying upside down may not be aerodynamically efficient and could pose risks to their safety.


How do flies walk on ceilings?

You've probably seen a fly scurrying across your ceiling. Although its body is totally upside down, it doesn't fall off. Flies have six legs attached to the thorax, or middle section, of their bodies. Each leg has a foot. On the underside of each foot are two tiny claws. Under each claw is a hairy pad called a pulvillus. These pads are covered in a sticky, glue-like liquid. When a fly walks on the ceiling or any other surface, the pads stick or clinglong enough forthe fly to keep its balance. Thislets flies walk upside down without falling off.


If gravity pulls things down how come plans fly and not get puuled down?

Planes are able to fly against gravity by conquering it with another force. This force happens to be the lift created by the wings of the aircraft wihch allow it to fly.


Why does a helicopter fly?

The rotor, shaped like an aeroplane wing, creates lift in the same way. The problem is in maintaining stability, as it will cause the body of the helicopter to rotate, too. That is why most helicopters have a tail rotor, to counter that effect and grant the pilot stability.