Rotorcraft Flying Menu >General Aerodynamics > Thrust

Thrust, like lift, is generated by the rotation of the main rotor system. In a helicopter, thrust can be for-ward, rearward, sideward, or vertical. The resultant of lift and thrust determines the direction of movement of the helicopter.

The solidity ratio is the ratio of the total rotor blade area, which is the combined area of all the main rotor blades, to the total rotor disc area. This ratio provides a means to measure the potential for a rotor system to provide thrust.

The tail rotor also produces thrust. The amount of thrust is variable through the use of the antitorque ped-als and is used to control the helicopter’s yaw.