History Main / HeliCritter

[[quoteright:342:[[ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chopchopchopchop_6019.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:342:When he's not pursuing the Red Baron, Snoopy does search and rescue missions.]]

** WesternAnimation/BugsBunny sometimes uses his ears as a propeller. Not always voluntarily, though, as in "WesternAnimation/BunnyHugged" where the Crusher wounds up his ears and sends him flying around.

** An aquatic Pokémon named Buizel, partly based on Tails. It doesn't fly, however, but uses its tails as a propeller in water. Though it can create a stream of water to "fly" through when using Aqua Jet. This also applies to its evolved form, Floatzel.

* In Disney's ''Disney/RobinHood'', Sir Hiss floats by using [[AllBalloonsHaveHelium a bag of air around his head]] and his tail as a propeller.

This is a creature that flies using an organic propeller instead of wings. Though [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum some bacterial life forms]] in RealLife really do move this way, it is impossible in more complex organisms, because such a structure requires at least two separate parts and there'd be no way for their nerves, veins, ''et cetera'' to make it from one to the other. It does tend to show up in [[SpeculativeFiction fiction]], though, largely due to the RuleOfCool and because [[SoectacularSpinning spinning is spectacular.]]

This is a creature that flies using an organic propeller instead of wings. Though [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum some bacterial life forms]] in RealLife really do move this way, it is impossible in more complex organisms, because such a structure requires at least two separate parts and there'd be no way for their nerves, veins, ''et cetera'' to make it from one to the other. It does tend to show up in [[SpeculativeFiction fiction]], though, largely due to the RuleOfCool and because [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning everything is better with spinning.]]

This is a creature that flies using an organic propeller instead of wings. Though [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum some bacterial life forms]] in RealLife really do move this way, it is impossible in more complex organisms, because such a structure requires at least two separate parts and there'd be no way for their nerves, veins, ''et cetera'' to make it from one to the other.[[note]] This doesn't ''absolutely'' rule it out, of course; it just requires that there be distinct "growing" and "operating" phases, with the separation occurring between the two.[[/note]] It does tend to show up in [[SpeculativeFiction fiction]], though, largely due to the RuleOfCool and because [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning everything is better with spinning.]]

* A story arc in Creator/{{Marvel}} Comics' ''ComicBook/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters'' featured an alien monster that could spin its three tails like a helicopter rotor and fly.

'''Lucy:''' You mean whirlybird -- not whirlydog!\\

* In the GrandFinale of ''Anime/SamuraiPizzaCats'', The Big Cheese is seen using his tail as a helicoptor propeller. ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' fans find it hillarious in hindsight, considering that he was a Fox in the Japanese version.

* In the fanfic ''Fanfic/TailsOfTheOldRepublic'', a crossover[=/=]FusionFic between ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' and the videogame ''Franchise/StarWars: VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', Tails the fox has two tails like in the games and other media he regularly features in, and he can [[{{Flight}} fly]] with them, [[BewareMyStingerTail fight]] with them, and even [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe shield]] himself with them. In here, he has two basic flight modes: a general-purpose 'helicopter mode' that has great versatility and a top speed of about 200 MPH, and a much faster and energy-intensive "turbofan mode" (similar to a jet engine) that can propel him up to 600 MPH or higher.

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':

Often a subtrope of BizarreAlienLocomotion, always a SubTrope of InstantFlightJustAddSpinning. See also HelicopterHair, EarWings.

* In a few old [=MetLife=] ads, [[{{ComicStrip/Peanuts}} Snoopy]] flies using his ears as helicopter blades(as depicted in the page image).

* Goku does this in ''Manga/DragonBall'' a few times by spinning his tail.

* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug 6'' has a Venusian alien called the Smasher, it resembles a crab-like thing that spins its legs like a helicopter to fly before inflating itself to smash down on you.

!!Examples

* Snoopy from ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' is sometimes seen using his ears as a propeller.

** One particular strip had RealityEnsues when after utilizing this ability, Snoopy has an abrupt crash landing due to his ears becoming too tangled up from the spinning.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' unintentionally does this to ''himself,'' while winding a leg too much preparing for another literal KickTheDog gag with Odie.
** He also has wound up Odie's ears like an airplane propellor on occasion. RealityEnsues when his flight ends as his ears unwind.

* One of Keith Laumer's ''Literature/{{Retief}}'' novels was all about a planet where basically every living creature had spinning parts as basic anatomy. Flying creatures all had propellers, swimming creatures all had turbines, and land-dwellers all had wheels.

* In ''Literature/KobitosZukan'' the Greenwing Kobitos do this. %%Needs elaboration!

** Cream the Rabbit, as well. While she usually flies by [[EarWings flapping them]], in ''VideoGame/SonicChronicles'', She twirls her ears like a helicopter when preforming a certain POW move, much like the page image above.

** While she usually flies by [[EarWings flapping them]], in ''VideoGame/SonicChronicles'', Cream the Rabbit twirls her ears like a helicopter, much like the page image above.

** Bugs Bunny sometimes uses his ears as a propeller.

->''"{{Gasp}}! My theory was true! Spike'' can ''fly! FLY DOG! FLY!"''

This is a creature that flies using an organic propeller instead of wings. Though [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum some bacterial life forms]] in RealLife really do move this way, it is impossible in more complex organisms, because such a structure requires at least two separate parts and there'd be no way for their nerves, veins, ''et cetera'' to make it from one to the other. It does tend to show up in [[SpeculativeFiction fiction]], though, largely due to the RuleOfCool and because [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning everything is better with spinning.]]

* An ''Webcomic/AwkwardZombie'' uses this as a theoretical explanation for the burning question of ''how the hell [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Doduo]] can learn fly''. Answer: by spinning its two heads (and necks).

* In''Literature/KobitosZukan''The Greenwing Kobitos do this

* An ''Webcomic/AwkwardZombie'' strip depicts [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Doduo]] using Fly by spinning its two heads (and necks).