Comments on: How different is flying a helicopter to flying an aeroplane?

By: Been There

Been There — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:12:02 +0000

Flying airplanes and helicopters are the same but different. Not harder than one another just different. Same rules of the road. Same basic principles of flight physics etc. Different as in the difference between driving a big truck and riding a motorcycle. Both can be a challenge to fly at first because you are learning something new, just like when first learned to drive.
If your boy friend has a decent instructor, which I’m sure he should have, he will come away with a feel for what it takes to learn how to fly a helicopter after a one hour introductory flight. Then it will be up to him to decide if flying helicopters is for him.

By: eferrell01

eferrell01 — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:50:51 +0000

Getting an introductory flight will definitely be an eye opener. For comparison, say flying an airplane is akin to driving a car, flying a helicopter is like balancing a marble on a beach ball, with the wind blowing.

By: JW

JW — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:37:27 +0000

Paying for an hour of flight time is awesome. One hour is plenty of time to decide whether or not a fixed wing or rotary wing license is to his preference. If you are there to assist and support him along the way, that will also prove beneficial.

By: Jimmbbo

Jimmbbo — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:48:17 +0000

An airplane is designed to be naturally stable in flight and requires less input from the pilot than a helicopter. In an airplane, the pilot can “trim out” control forces and it will fly with only small, occasional corrections if the air is smooth. A helicopter requires constant small corrections to maintain straight and level flight.

Helicopters have far more moving parts, most of which require regular inspection and maintenance, so they are more expensive to operate.

The combination of more skill and more expensive operating costs means learning to fly a helicopter will take longer and be more expensive tha learning to fly airplanes.

Many pilots start with airplanes, and then move to helicopters, since many of the operating rules and procedures are similar, and it is less expensive to learn those in an airplane…

By: Viola At Neon

Viola At Neon — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:18:53 +0000

It costs far more to learn to fly a helicopter. It’s also much harder to fly them.

Fixed-wing planes want to fly. Helicopters want to crash, and must be constantly balanced and manipulated by the pilot.

By: ht Freerider

ht Freerider — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:14:59 +0000

Mainly the Handling. Choppers are unstable.
Helicopter = Low and slow flying
Aeroplane = High and Fast!

By: Marlin

Marlin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:10:32 +0000

A helicopter is way more difficult.

By: Student101777

Student101777 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:48:35 +0000

Flying a helicopter is very different from flying a fixed wing aircraft and also training is usually more expensive. Yes, giving him a trial lesson would be nice and it could also be added to his log book if he plans on flying after that. However, before he thinks of committing himself to expensive training, he should get his medical done first to see if he will be legally healthy enough to fly. If he cannot pass his medical then he would not be able to get his license. Hope that helps!

By: Warbird Pilot

Warbird Pilot — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:14:18 +0000

Competely different.

By: doane_nut

doane_nut — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:36:29 +0000

Like night and day.