Airplanes Vs Helicopters

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Airplanes vs Helicopters
Airplanes and helicopters have been significant ways of transporting goods as well as people since the beginning of the 19th century. The uses of these two machines have impacted human life more than we know it. An airplane, by definition, is a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces. Contrary to the airplane, a helicopter, by definition, is a type of aircraft that derives both lift and propulsion from one or more sets of horizontally revolving overhead rotors. Both machines are incredible works of engineering and are very beneficial for separate reasons. By contrasting airplanes and helicopters, it is easy to see the structure, the purposes, and the control functions …show more content…

Airplanes purpose have been altered since technology has become greater. Airplanes used to strictly be used for transporting people short distances in a short amount of time. Today, airplanes can travel vast distances very quickly; “A UPS 747-400 just flew 7,567 miles. Boieng says that this was the longest scheduled flight ever for a 747-400. The trip was from Louisville Ky to Hong Kong.” (Boeing Company par 5). Airplanes are also beneficial for transporting cargo; the Boeing 747-400 (largest plane in the commercial fleet) can carry an astonishing 124 tons of cargo. Helicopters are much different. Helicopters have not been around as long as airplanes have. Helicopters today are used in a variety of ways. According to Dr. Guillaume Syon, Helicopters can be used for: “medical evacuation, supplying of oil drilling rigs, spreading of agricultural pesticides” (par 7). Helicopters today are also used for tasks such as carrying tanks for the military, or even activities such as sight seeing in beautiful destinations. Nothing can top the ease of these tasks by using a …show more content…

Controlling an airplane has a lot to do with the lift, drag, and pressure of the wings (“Airplane” par 2). Flight controls consist of a stick or a wheel control column and rubber pedals, which controls the movement of the rudder. Helicopter’s way of maneuvering is a much easier task. In a helicopter, a pilot has four control systems: the collective pitch control, throttle control, anti torque control, and the cyclic pitch control. All four controls and essential for a safe flight; if one control were to malfunction, the whole aircraft will fall out of the sky. Changes to helicopter’s flight control system transmit to the rotor, producing aerodynamic effects on the rotor blades that make the helicopter move in different ways. The usage of these four controls make for a relatively simplistic and easy

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