Which type of aircraft would be classified as “rotary-wing”?

• A. Fighter jets
• B. Helicopters
• C. Passenger airplanes
• D. Cargo planes

Answer: (B)

Rotary-wing aircraft are defined by their use of rotating blades that enable them to achieve lift and perform various maneuvers. Helicopters fall squarely into this category, as they operate primarily using one or more horizontal rotors that spin around a vertical axis. This design allows for vertical take-off and landing, hover capabilities, and the ability to navigate in ways that fixed-wing aircraft cannot.

The other types of aircraft mentioned fall into the category of fixed-wing aviation. Fighter jets, passenger airplanes, and cargo planes utilize wings that are stationary and achieve lift through forward movement, and they lack the rotor mechanism that characterizes rotary-wing aircraft. This fundamental difference in design and operation is what distinctly categorizes helicopters as rotary-wing.