A helicopter is categorized as what type of aircraft?

A helicopter is categorized as a rotary-wing aircraft because it generates lift and thrust through the rotation of one or more horizontal rotors. This design allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, hover in place, and maneuver effectively in tight spaces, which are all distinct characteristics of rotary-wing flight. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft that rely on fixed wings for lift, helicopters utilize their rotating blades to achieve and control flight. This fundamental difference in aerodynamics and design principles is what classifies helicopters specifically as rotary-wing aircraft.