How Fast Do Helicopter Blades Spin?

The Aerokopter AK1-3 helicopter has a rotor tip speed of 205 meters per second or 672 feet per second. It is an ultra-lightweight manned kit helicopter.

The operating speed of the main rotor blades ranges from 460 rpm to 600 rpm. Speed is relative to the state of the helicopter. In a hovering helicopter, the rotor tip speed is determined by the length of the blade and the power of the rotor. When the helicopter is in motion, the rotor tip speed depends on the speed of the helicopter and the blade's rotational velocity. It is possible for the rotor blade to exceed the speed of sound.