This kind of directional flight is achieved by tilting the swash plate assembly with the cyclic, which alters the pitch of each blade as it rotates. As a result, every blade produces maximum lift at a particular point. ... The unbalanced lift causes the helicopter to tip forward and move in that direction.

Can helicopters fly straight up?

Unlike an airplane, a helicopter does not have to move quickly through the air to have lift. That fact means it can move straight up or down. ... Unlike an airplane, a helicopter can fly backwards or sideways. It also can hover in one spot in the air without moving.

How do helicopters stay upright?

The reason why helicopters stay up in the air is because the individual rotary blades are shaped like airplane wings. Once the spinning rotor assembly has reached a certain speed, the curved blades chop up the air around them, creating lower pressure above the blade and higher pressure below.