ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Helicopter rotor

Okay kiddo, so a helicopter rotor is like the wings of a bird that helps it fly and stay in the air. But instead of feathers, it's made up of big blades that spin around really fast.

These blades are attached to a metal stick that goes up to the top of the helicopter. When the helicopter's engine makes the rotor spin, it creates something called lift - which is the force that helps the helicopter go up into the air.

Now, the cool thing about helicopter rotors is that they can move up and down or side to side, which helps the helicopter go in any direction. That's why helicopters can do things like hover in one spot or move sideways without turning like other flying things.

Sometimes the blades on a rotor can also tilt forward or backward, which helps the helicopter move forward or backward too.

Helicopter rotors are super important because they help the helicopter stay in the air and move around, just like how the wings of a bird help it fly.