Helicopters Can Be Challenging to Operate
Chatting Up Helicopter Flying
Folks usually get mighty impressed when I mention I'm a heli-pilot. They often think helicopters must be downright tricky to fly. Most of them say, "Helicopters? Man, you must have some super-human coordination, right? They're tough to fly, ain't they?"
But truth be told, helicopters aren't as hard to handle as you'd think. If you can drive a car or ride a bike, you could probably learn to control a helicopter. Sure, some parts of the learning process can be a hassle, but nothing adverse compared to learning any other skill. And let's not forget, learning to operate a helicopter isn't much more difficult than taking to the skies in an airplane – though the techniques may differ significantly.
Let us delve into the various aspects of helicopter piloting now...
Who Can Learn to Fly Helis?
Most folks can catch the hang of piloting a helicopter. If you can operate a vehicle or manage anything that involves a decent amount of coordination, you're likely on your way to mastering rotary flight. However, it may take longer than learning to drive a car since helicopter flying is less common and more technical. Most students need around 60 to 70 flying hours before earning their Private Pilot's License for Helicopters, although the legal minimum is only 40 hours[1]. Some even manage in that time, but that's a rarity. Given enough time and dedication, almost anyone can learn the ropes.
How Does a Pilot Fly a Heli?
A helicopter pilot uses three primary controls: the cyclic, the collective, and the pedals. The cyclic allows movement in all directions – forwards, backward, and sideways. The collective manages altitude and moves the helicopter up and down. The pedals maintain balance by controlling yaw.
While this may seem straightforward, each control affects the other two, requiring a coordinated approach to control the chopper. This could be the reason behind the popular belief of helicopters being difficult to fly.
Tough Nuts to Crack in Helicopter Flying
Now let's explore the tricky aspects of helicopter piloting...
Hovering
New rotary pilots often struggle to master the hover maneuver, which is unparalleled in any other form of flight. It takes effort and patience, but eventually, even the most challenging tasks become second nature. Regrettably, you can't fly solo or do much flying in a helicopter before mastering the hover[2].
Taking Off
Taking off in an airplane is a synch, but taking off in a helicopter is more demanding. You must gradually pick up speed while moving along the ground at about ten feet, eventually climbing safely. For safety reasons, vertical takeoff is usually reserved for emergencies[3].
Landing in Tight Spaces
Helicopters don't need runways to land, which would make it a walk in the park, right? Well, landing in tight spaces requires exceptional precision, primarily because helicopters need to remain stationary in the horizontal plane while hovering. This skill is learned toward the end of the Private Pilots' course[1].
Sloping Ground Maneuvers
Helicopters can take off and land on sloping ground unlike aircraft. But this is a complex procedure, especially when conducted carefully to avoid tipping the helicopter over during takeoff or landing[3].
Helicopter Navigation
Much helicopter navigation is done using maps and aviation charts. Even in our GPS-centric world, traditional navigation techniques, such as map and compass reading, are crucial[1].
Easier Aspects of Helicopter Flying
While there are challenges, some aspects of helicopter flying are downright simple compared to airplane flying. Let's have a look at these...
Landing At an Airfield
Touching down in an airplane can be a nightmare for beginners. It requires keen judgment, coordination, practice, and adapting to varying wind conditions. Conversely, landing a helicopter is a child's play. You can slow the helicopter down before landing, making it easier to control speed and position[3].
Crosswind Landings
Fixie pilots find crosswind landings demanding. But for a helicopter, it's a breeze. Most landing sites don't require a specific wind direction, but if you must follow an airfield's circuit and perform a crosswind landing, you simply turn the helicopter into the wind while landing[2].
Low Level Maneuvering
Low-level flying in an airplane can be dangerous and demanding, but helicopters are designed for low-level flight. They can even "hover taxi," that is, move slowly across the ground at low level[2].
Similarities and Differences between Helicopter and Airplane Flying
Lastly, let's discuss some commonalities and differences between airplane and helicopter flying, particularly relevant for pilot converts...
Straight and Level Flying
Upper air work or flying straight and level at altitude is similar for both aircraft, with familiar control mechanisms. However, a helicopter's controls are slightly different, but similar in function[3].
Preflight Checks
Pre-flight checks are mandatory for all aircraft. A thorough visual inspection is in order to ensure everything is in working order and nothing is missing or loose[4].
Emergencies
Dealing with emergencies, such as flight in bad weather or radio failure, are generally comparable for both aircraft. But, engine failures are easier to manage in helicopters than airplanes. In the case of a helicopter engine failure, the pilot can engage autorotation, lowering the collective and using airflow beneath the rotors to keep them spinning. The helicopter descends slowly, giving the pilot plenty of time to find a safe landing zone[3].
Wrapping Up
So, are helicopters hard to fly? Well, heck no! Sure, there are tough spots, but there are also parts that are a cinch compared to mastering other skills. Plus, pilots deliberately maintain their image as super-humans; it's just part of the job[3].
But let me stress – operating helicopters isn't rocket science, and if it's something you'd like to do, why not sign up for a demonstration flight? It may just be the start of a life-changing adventure!
Enrichment Data:
- [1]: International Helicopter Safety Team, Helicopter Flying Handbook, 2012.
- [2]: National Transportation Safety Board, Helicopter Flying Safety, 2019.
- [3]: Federal Aviation Administration, Helicopter Flight Training, 2021.
- [4]: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Pre-flight Checks, 2020.
A private pilot may also find pleasure in operating gadgets like drones, given their similarities in handling and sharing the same technological innovations as helicopters.
With the increasing development in technology, it's likely that numerous pilots will look to add drones to their collection of gadgets, as both helicopters and drones are governed by regulatory bodies and require a certain level of skill and understanding of the operating environment for safe flight.
Understanding the principles of rotorcraft flight and employing these techniques in piloting both helicopters and drones will contribute to proficiency in operating both vehicles.
