A helicopter, or chopper, is a type of rotorcraft

in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward, and laterally.

Helicopters are used to fly to and from locations without an airport,

as helicopters don’t require runways, being able to take off and land vertically, making them suitable to fly into cities and land atop buildings or land in an open space anywhere. Some localities require special permits for helicopter landing pads.

Helicopters are suitable for short flights

where airports aren’t convenient, to get around traffic jams or congestion and provide transportation to hospitals or remote undeveloped locations.

Helicopters tend to be noisier and fly less smoothly

than other aircraft, but serve their purpose for designated mission short trips.