"HELICOPTERS ARE DIFFERENT FROM PLANES"

[DeltaV]

THE THING IS, HELICOPTERS ARE DIFFERENT FROM PLANES. AN AIRPLANE BY ITS NATURE WANTS TO FLY, AND IF NOT INTERFERED WITH TOO STRONGLY BY UNUSUAL EVENTS OR BY A DELIBERATELY INCOMPETENT PILOT. IT WILL FLY. A HELICOPTER DOES NOT WANT TO FLY. IT IS MAINTAINED IN THE AIR BY A VARIETY OF FORCES AND CONTROLS WORKING IN OPPOSITION TO EACH OTHER, AND IF THERE IS ANY DISTURBANCE IN THIS DELICATE BALANCE THE HELICOPTER STOPS FLYING, IMMEDIATELY AND DISASTROUSLY. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GLIDING HELICOPTER.

THIS IS WHY BEING A HELICOPTER PILOT IS SO DIFFERENT FROM BEING AN AIRPLANE PILOT, AND WHY, IN GENERALITY, AIRPLANE PILOTS ARE OPEN, CLEAR-EYED BUOYANT EXTROVERTS AND HELICOPTER PILOTS ARE BROODERS, INTROSPECTIVE ANTICIPATORS OF TROUBLE. THEY KNOW IF SOMETHING BAD HAS NOT HAPPENED IT IS ABOUT TO.
COMMENTARY: HARRY REASONER
February 16, 1971

 

[monaco66coupe]

HAHAHA! I would rather be in a Helicopter if the engine went out then any fixed wing! a glide ratio is not needed as long as you keep the rotors moving.They call it Auto rotation! Take it from an old Helicopter guy! The saying we went by:
if it doesn't Hover, in isn't worth a flying F**K! All in (good humor of course)
USAF 1970-1980

 

[kiwigtx]

A helicopter's blade (in cross-section) is shaped like a plane’s wing,
and both catch air giving lift….. now answer this question....

This should be an easy quiz for those who have even a modicum of knowledge,
about aircraft! However, the answer may surprise you.
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Yup! I got it wrong, too!

 

[Fran Blacker]

It's got some nice lifting capabilities.

 

[Chickenman21]

"Helicopter pilots are brooders." Appears Harry Reasoner never actually met a helicopter pilot. We are a crazy bunch always looking for an adventure, a party, a challenge or any combination thereof. Some of the most exciting moments in this life have occurred in rotary winged aircraft in a far away land. RVN 1970-71, CW2, 1st Cav Div

 

[68gtxman]

Here's the best of both worlds. Unpowered rotor with benefit of no wings.