Vfrpilotpb
It has been said that the tail rotor consumes between 6 and 12 percent of the engines power, and none of this power is producing lift or forward thrust. This loss of power still exists in fast forward flight because the vertical tail wants to swing out to the side and that creates additional drag.
This was a primary reason for developing helicopters with multiple main rotors.
Just a totally unbiased opinion, mind you.
[ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: Dave Jackson ]