Rotary-wing aircraft fall into which two categories?

• A. Helicopter and multirotor
• B. Fixed-wing and rotorcraft
• C. Balloon and airship
• D. Seaplane and hang glider

Answer: (A)

Rotary-wing aircraft are defined by generating lift with rotating blades rather than fixed wings. Within this, there are two main configurations: single-rotor helicopters and multirotor aircraft. A traditional helicopter uses one large rotor to lift and a separate tail rotor to counter torque, giving vertical takeoff, landing, and precise maneuvers. A multirotor aircraft, like quadcopters or hexacopters, uses several smaller rotors arranged around the frame, with lift and attitude controlled by varying the speed of each rotor.

Other options mix concepts that aren’t two primary rotary-wing categories: fixed-wing and rotorcraft isn’t a split within rotary-wing, since rotorcraft is the broader umbrella that includes helicopters and multirotors. Balloons and airships are lighter-than-air and not rotary-wing, while seaplanes and hang gliders are fixed-wing or non-rotary forms.