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
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are all very different. Firstly, the structure of an airplane versus the structure of a helicopter are very different. The most flagrant structure disparity of the two machines is the way they are built. An ideal airplane has five wings: two main wings for lift and control, two horizontal stabilizer wings, and one vertical stabilizer wing; “All wing sectors of the airplane are necessary for a safe and stable flight” (Airplane par 7). Between the wings is a body used for cargo or people and typically two or more engines; these engines can either be jet propelled or can be propelled by a turboprop. Helicopters, however, consists of a fat body in the front and a more toned down and tapering end. Two-thirds to the front and on the top of the helicopter there is the main rotor. At the very end of the helicopter there is the tail rotor that controls all horizontal motions for the aircraft. Helicopters can be used for carrying people and cargo as well. Secondly, the purpose of these two aircrafts are far different.
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…
helicopter. Thirdly, controlling an airplane versus controlling a helicopter are very different.
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
flight. Airplanes and Helicopters have both been key elements to our society today. Without these two machines today our world would be much less advanced and we as people would have a very difficult time getting from one place to the next with our desired belongings. Airplanes and Helicopters have eased the process of traveling by an unfathomable volume. Airplanes and helicopters have made the world a better place today with their usage of transporting military products, goods, and people.
In today’s world, the use of airplanes in wars or in everyday life has become a part of how we live as human beings. Removing the air forces of the world is like taking a step back in time when wars were only fought on land or sea. WWI began only eleven short years after the Wright brothers achieved powered flight in 19031 and yet aircrafts were being used for surveillance and eventually combat purposes. It is understood that these aircrafts were primitive, but they laid down the foundation for what we know today as fighter jets. The Fokker Eindecker “revolutionized air combat by successfully employing a synchronized forward -firing machine gun mounted on the engine cowling”2. Because this airplane became the first to successfully use a synchronized machine gun, it allowed its pilots to become the first aerial combat tactitions3.
Gas powered RC helicopters are some of the toughest and most exciting choppers to take to the sky in the RC world. These birds exhibit all of the power, torque, and top-notch flight performance of their full-scale cousins in a small package that is simply amazing. While these helicopters may look similar to their electric counterparts, they differ tremendously in the fact that gas powered RC helicopters are the most realistic thing you can fly short of sitting in the cockpit of a full-scale high-performance helicopter. Overall, these RC birds offer their pilots the chance to experience first-hand the exhilarating excitement of flying a top-notch chopper.
“The US army used many different types of helicopters like the HU-1A. It had a T53-6-5 motor, which put out 700 horsepower and could hold up to 8,500 pounds. It was used as a transport and medical vehicle that was equipped with a 30 mm”. Bishop) “The US also used Agent Orange to kill the trees and plants in the area so it would be easier to spot the enemy from the air and the ground.” (History.com)
In this paper we will discuss the first documented use of helicopters for the primary purpose of Air Ambulances in World War II. During 1943, the United States, British Commonwealth and the Chinese faced the armies of Japan, Thailand and Indian National Army. The Burmese Independent Army started off on the Japanese side, but later switched sides fighting with the allied forces. Under the control of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States made a decision to support the Chinese during the war with aircraft.1 With Japan controlling much of the Chinese territory, the main supply route for the Chinese was thru the Burma Road. This supply route was essential to operations in the area shaped a restructure for the way supplies would be delivered to soldiers fighting and patients being able to get the urgent care they extremely needed. The only logical and expeditious way to do all of this would be through the use of aircraft flying a supply route known as “the Hump.”2
The airmobility concept is one of Army Aviation’s most prominent battlefield innovations, almost single handedly shaping the Vietnam War and in many ways, helping to influence how we fight wars today. In its essence, airmobility is a concept that utilizes Army aircraft in order to enhance the ground forces’ ability to perform the five fundamentals of combat: command and control, firepower, intelligence, mobility, and communications (Rottman, 2007). At the zenith of the airmobility concept is the airmobile assault or commonly known today as, the air assault. The airmobile assault was more than just moving troops from point A to point B; it involved intense planning and preparation. When implemented correctly, the airmobile assault provided light infantry greater mobility on the battlefield, along with the ability to seize the initiative and to synchronize attacks.
Milton Wright became a bishop in 1877 and moved his family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Milton traveled frequently on church business, and while he was away his wife Susan ran the home. She was very handy; she could fix most anything and make things, a very resourceful woman. The same year that the Wrights moved to Cedar Rapids Milton returned home from one of his journeys with a gift for his two youngest sons. The gift was a toy helicopter made of bamboo, cork, and paper. “The twin propellers on the helicopter were activated by a twisted rubber band, a type of propulsion popularized by a young Frenchman named Alphonse Penaud.” (Howard, 1987,1998, p. 18) The gift that Wilbur and Orville’s father gave to them was not only a small toy helicopter, it was a spark of many ideas to come in their...
"Wrights’ Perspective on the Role of Airplanes in War." Wright Stories Wright Brothers Inventing The Airplane History of Flight Kitty Hawk Wright Contemporaries Military Airplane RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr.
In 1957, the army began developing a new fighting force based on the helicopter. ...
Many people are amazed with the flight of an object, especially one the size of an airplane, but they do not realize how much physics plays a role in this amazing incident. There are many different ways in which physics aids the flight of an aircraft. In the following few paragraphs some of the many ways will be described so that you, the reader, will realize physics at work in the world of flight.
United Airlines aircraft have soared through the skies for more than 70 years. Initially used to transport U.S. mail, the planes soon took on a few adventurous passengers. In a matter of years, air travel was embraced by the general public, creating a demand for larger, faster, more luxurious aircraft.
The Airplane was first invented in 1903; it amazed everyone but never really took off because of how dangerous it still was. They used planes in WWI but they threw them aside. After WWI (around mid 1920’s) the Federal Government had the idea of airmail. This was readily accepted; instead of receiving mail in two weeks it would only take a couple of days. Soon after this, transporting people quickly caught on although only the upper-class people could afford it, it soon became accessible to almost everyone. (Inventions: Airplane)
Ever since I was little I was amazed at the ability for a machine to fly. I have always wanted to explore ideas of flight and be able to actually fly. I think I may have found my childhood fantasy in the world of aeronautical engineering. The object of my paper is to give me more insight on my future career as an aeronautical engineer. This paper was also to give me ideas of the physics of flight and be to apply those physics of flight to compete in a high school competition.
Taylor, John, W.R. (1977). Jane's pocket book of remotely piloted vehicles: Robot aircraft today. New York: Collier Books.
The future of passenger aircraft and their manufactures has an amazing outlook. Every year the brightest minds in aviation compile the greatest technological advances towards creating the safest and most economical aircraft on the planet. No detail is over looked, and the bottom dollar is the all controlling factor. From private aircraft to public aircraft, space exploration and beyond, the future is bright for the passenger aircraft market, and everyone who purchases air travel should be excited to see how industry unfolds.
Bosnor, Kevin. "How Flying Cars Will Work." Howstuffworks. How Stuff Works Inc., 1998. Web. 24 Jan.