Patent ID: 8473189
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: B64C,G01S

Abstract:
1. A helicopter having (a) a tail boom, (b) at least one proximity sensor which is fitted to the tail boom, for detection of a distance to an object which is present approximately in the vicinity of the tail boom, and (c) an electrical evaluation unit, which is connected to the proximity sensors and is designed to calculate a position of the object relative to the helicopter, (d) the helicopter having a collision avoidance apparatus, which is designed to prevent a person from colliding with the tail boom, (e) wherein said evaluation unit is designed to stop the tail rotor when the object is within a predetermined minimum distance of the tail rotor, and to check whether the helicopter is on the ground and to shut down the main rotor if the torque of the main rotor is high enough to cause rotational movement of the helicopter.