The often overlooked option in aviation is rotorcraft. In fact it is so
commonly overlooked that most people don't even think about the possibility
unless they already planned on flying rotorcraft from the beginning. But it
is a whole other dimension of the aviation world that can be exciting to
explore.
Definition of rotorcraft
In the world of aviation, a rotorcraft means any object capable of supporting
itself in the air by use of one or more rotors. A rotor is similar to a
propeller, but it's mounted vertically instead of horizontally, and it's
primary purpose is to generate lift instead of thrust.
A propeller's primary purpose is to generate thrust, and as the name implies,
this propels the aircraft forward. As an airplane moves forward, air moves over
the wings creating a pressure differential that results in lift. In this scenario,
lift is complementary to thrust. With a rotor, the opposite is the case.
While the rotor can provide thrust when tilted, any thrust generated is
complementary to lift. The rotor pushes the air above it downward causing the
aircraft to rise in accordance with Newton's third law of motion that tells us
the force generated by the rotor must result in an equal and opposite reaction
of the aircraft body.
Members of the rotorcraft family
The word "rotorcraft" includes more than just helicopters, which are the most
prominent class within the category. But there are other classes as well,
including autogyros, gyrodynes, and rotor kites.
An autogyro looks a bit like a helicopter at first glance, but what distinguishes
it is that the rotor doesn't have an engine. Instead they have a small engine
driven propeller to provide thrust, while the rotor which provides lift relies on
aerodynamic forces to rotate. An autogyro is not as complex or difficult to fly as
a helicopter but it is less powerful and can only support light weights making it
unsuitable for moving passengers or cargo.
The gyrodyne, on the other hand, has an abundance of engine power, possessing a
primary engine for driving the main rotor and secondary engines for driving twin
propellers mounted on stubby wings that flank the fuselage. This concept should
not be confused with a powered lift aircraft which has propellers that can be
rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position causing them to act as
small rotors.
And even more unusual is the rotor kite which has no engines at all. This craft
relies on external power or aerodynamic forces to rotate the rotor blades. Less
useful than even a glider, the rotorkite lacking ability to catch thermal updraft
to keep it aloft or to produce power internally may be one of the most impractical
vehicles ever invented. Its saving grace is that it can function as a silent
observation platform, but even this potential use is limited because it is extremely
vulnerable and inherently unstable.
All things considered, helicopters are the most practical choice among rotorcraft
because they are powerful enough and versatile enough for use in many different roles.
Rotorcraft as a career choice
The decision to train for rotary wing aviation is not a light undertaking. Flying
rotorcraft of any kind requires more skill than fixed wing aviation, which results
in more training and higher costs. The potential rewards can make it worth doing,
but you'll need to have plenty of funds available before you start.
Almost all rotorcraft work involves helicopters, or more rarely gyrodynes. There are
comparatively few opportunities for autogyro pilots and virtually none for rotorkite
pilots (but at the time of writing rotorkites are the only class of rotorcraft not
requiring a license to operate and the only class without fuel costs).
The world of rotary wing flight is wide open and filled with opportunities for those
who are drawn to it. The advantage helicopters offer over fixed wing aircraft is that
they can do things that are impossible for most airplanes to do. A helicopter is able
to:
- hover in place
- fly backwards
- execute direct lateral movement
- execute direct vertical movement
The only fixed wing aircraft with similar abilities are VTOL aircraft such as the
Harrier Jumpjet (AV-8), Osprey (V-22), and Yak-38 Forger. Those aircraft have distinctive
design differences that provide the extra abilities.
In the case of the AV-8 and the Yak-38, a design innovation known as vectorable thrust
utilizes movable nozzles that can be directed, allowing for the aircraft to hover at low
altitudes, ascend and descend vertically, and fly backwards. Hovering (and vertical takeoff)
ability requires low altitudes because it relies on the ground cushioning effect. These
technologies were exciting developments in military aviation, but the reason they never
caught on with civil operators is because the technology is requires extremely inefficient
fuel consumption.
The V-22 differs from those jet aircraft by using a more fuel efficient tiltrotor mechanism,
allowing it to transform from a rotorcraft configuration to a turboprop configuration. Being
more efficient means they are more suited to civil applications, however widespread interest
in this market has so far been deterred by the high production costs involved.
Among the many tasks helicopters have proven suited to are included:
- Search and Rescue operations
- Medical Transport
- Firefighting
- Executive & VIP Transport
- Television & Film Cinematography
- Tourism
- Hunting & Wildlife Control
- Law Enforcement
Each of these roles have distinctive challenges, requirements, and qualifications.