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What's the difference between flying helicopters and flying airplanes?
One has a wing that is simultaneously leading, lagging, flapping up and down, and moving faster than the aircraft as well as slower.
The other has a wing that isnt.
Questions? Need more? Ugh. Fine.
One has a wing that is simultaneously leading, lagging, flapping up and down, and moving faster than the aircraft as well as slower.
The other has a wing that isnt.
Questions? Need more? Ugh. Fine.
Which is better / harder to control / more useful? The answer, like all good questions, is "it depends".
All the differences derive from the different solution to the problem of lift.
Think of an Eagle and a Humminbird.
All the differences derive from the different solution to the problem of lift.
Think of an Eagle and a Humminbird.
Aerodynamics 101. Aircraft and birds fly through careful balancing of 4 forces. Thrust makes you go forward. Weight pulls you down. Lift pushes you up and drag holds you back. Or if you are feeling silly...
An airplane has engines to make thrust and wings to make lift. The faster the plane is going the more lift is being produced.
A helicopter uses its engine to throw its wing in circles over the top. Aerodynamically the wing is flying even while on the ground.
A helicopter uses its engine to throw its wing in circles over the top. Aerodynamically the wing is flying even while on the ground.
By changing how much thrust it makes and in what direction, the helicopter has more precise control over where it flies. But, much like the hummingbird. This is a hugely inefficient way of flying. Thus helos, like hummingbirds, arent known for their endurance.
From this pilots perspective, neither one is harder to fly.
If you ignore either one it will probably end up doing something you dont want to do. How quickly and how bad depend more on which specific aircraft (F-18? Cessna 152?) and not helo vs airplane.
If you ignore either one it will probably end up doing something you dont want to do. How quickly and how bad depend more on which specific aircraft (F-18? Cessna 152?) and not helo vs airplane.
You're focus is different. An airplane generally moves faster requiring more anticipation of turns, radio calls, and altitude changes.
A Helicopter is generally less stable, requiring more constant inputs to remain at the altitude and airspeed you want to be at.
A Helicopter is generally less stable, requiring more constant inputs to remain at the altitude and airspeed you want to be at.
The biggest difference when pilots switch between helo and plane is the attitude.
Landing an airplane requires getting slow, putting down landing gear, flaps (more lift and drag) possibly spoilers (more drag) speed brakes (more drag). Aiming the nose at the runway and balancing everything to touchdown and stop without burning up the brakes.
Landing a helicopter requires aiming up. Pushing the air down and forward to slow yourself down and come to a hover or gently set down on the ground.
So helo pilots moonlighting are terrified of ploughing into the ground at that landing attitude.
And fixed wing pilots moonlighting are terrified of stalling and falling out of the sky too early.
The way you were trained from the beginning doesnt work in the other airframe.
And fixed wing pilots moonlighting are terrified of stalling and falling out of the sky too early.
The way you were trained from the beginning doesnt work in the other airframe.
There are other norms that dont work.
Power (throttle/collective) generally leads to an airspeed change in an airplane. It leads to an altitude change in a helicopter.
Pitch generally changes your altitude in an airplane. It changes your airspeed in a helo.
Power (throttle/collective) generally leads to an airspeed change in an airplane. It leads to an altitude change in a helicopter.
Pitch generally changes your altitude in an airplane. It changes your airspeed in a helo.
None of this is impossible to overcome.
If I told you that left was right and right was left you'd figure it out in a day or two. You'd think it was weird but you could do it. And if you switched regularly the transition would get easier and easier.
If I told you that left was right and right was left you'd figure it out in a day or two. You'd think it was weird but you could do it. And if you switched regularly the transition would get easier and easier.
Ok so which one is better?
Depends. Are you stuck on a mountainside bleeding out? Or in the middle of an ocean looking to be not in the ocean.
A plane can cover vast distances and find you... then radio someone, maybe drop you some supplies.
Depends. Are you stuck on a mountainside bleeding out? Or in the middle of an ocean looking to be not in the ocean.
A plane can cover vast distances and find you... then radio someone, maybe drop you some supplies.
Are you Amazon? Trying to move vast amounts of stuff all over the world cheaply and quickly? A helicopter can move stuff point to point. Slowly, over short distances, and expensively.
The task to be completed drives the choice of airframe. It drives the equipment on the airframe, even the personnel onboard. And pilots will find something to love about whatever airframe they are flying.
If pilots dont like an airframe, that's very telling.
If pilots dont like an airframe, that's very telling.
