Helicopters and fixed-wing planes are the most common aircraft types in commercial aviation. They are both vital forms of air transportation, and both offer unique characteristics the other doesn’t provide.
Air travel is the fastest way to travel to most destinations, and airplanes can connect us with to the other side of the world in less than a day’s journey. Helicopters, on the other hand, can land in the most remote places and offer a versatility that is unrivaled by fixed-wing aircraft. Both are unique and fast in their own right, but have you ever wondered which aircraft was faster?
Comparing the speed of a plane and helicopter is like judging a race between a hare and a turtle. The airplane is significantly faster, and a more efficient means of air transportation. In fact, in most cases, planes are twice as fast and efficient.
In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the speeds of helicopters versus airplanes, as well as what limits the speed of the former!
Read on below to find out more!
Table of Contents
Why Do Planes Go Faster Than Helicopters?
To understand why planes go faster than helicopters, you must understand the difference in flight characteristics of the two.
The main difference between an airplane and a helicopter is the way that they are engineered to generate lift, which in the end is the reason why the former is faster than the latter.
Fixed-wing aircraft are designed to create lift by reducing air pressure over the top of the wing while increasing the air pressure below. The engine produces thrusts that help generate lift. Planes are designed to be in continuous forward flight, which requires a more extended take-off and landing area than a helicopter.
Helicopters are an engineering anomaly and defy the laws of physics to achieve flight. It is often said that “helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission,” and it’s true! A helicopters’ blades are designed to rotate at rapid speeds that create lift. At the same time, the tail rotor system counteracts the torque of the main rotor blade and assists with the directional flight.
RBS (Retreating Blade Stall)
The most limiting factor of the helicopter’s top speed is a phenomenon know as retreating blade stall (RBS). When the helicopters are in forwarding flight speed of the aircraft gets close to the speed of the rotor blade as it moves backward in relation to the direction of travel, it is no longer able to produce lift.
The RBS effect is equivalent to a plane losing a wing in flight. If the helicopter is pushed past its maximum cruising speed, the aircraft will perform an uncommanded roll leading to an unwanted crash.
Although helicopters are slower than their fixed-wing counterparts, their flight characteristics make them more versatile than planes. They are mainly used in highly specialized tasks like Search and Rescue or to reach remote landing sites.
How Fast Do Airplanes Go?
The speed of an airplane depends on the type/model of the aircraft, engine size, and flight characteristics.
For example, a single-piston engine airplane such a Cessna Skylane has a maximum cruising speed of 145 knots per hour(KPH). In contrast, aircraft like Cessna Denali has a maximum cruising speed of 285 KPH and can travel twice the distance.
The fastest of all fixed-wing aircraft is the jet, which can reach speeds of Mach 3.5. Due to their ability to travel long distances at high speeds, jet aircraft are used in a variety of transport industries within aviation. The average commercial jet flies at speeds of 500 knots per hour, which is twice as fast as most turboprop airplanes.
Jet powered aircraft is considered to be the fasted vehicle in the world, and has helped connect the world since its inception in 1942.
How Fast Do Helicopters Go?
Comparatively speaking, a single position engine helicopter like the Robinson R-44 has a max speed of 109 knots per hour (KPH), while the Eurocopter EC-155, a single turbine engine helicopter, has a maximum speed of 174 KPH.
Although most helicopters are slower than prop planes, there are a few exceptions.
The fastest helicopters in the world generally belong to the armed forces. The CH-47F Chinook is the fastest helicopter in the world with a top speed of 196 mph. The reason why the Chinook can obtain such high rates speed is that the dual rotors counteract the retreating blade stall that limits single-rotor helicopters. The reason why the CH-47 cannot go any faster is because of mechanical limitations.
Which Is Better For Travel? Plane or Helicopter?
Determining which is better for travel is dependant on what kind of flying the pilot is trying to achieve. An airplane is faster and more fuel-efficient than a helicopter is for straight-line travel. An airplane is also cheaper to operate on a per hour basis than its rotorcraft counterpart. However, choppers are fast and offer a level of versatility that is unmatched by fixed-wing aircraft.
Which is more dangerous? Planes or Helicopters?
Being a pilot is a high-risk job, no matter what type of aircraft you choose to fly. No matter if you operate a plane or a helicopter, the experience of the pilot, the terrain below, and a little luck can change the risk level of flying. However, the aircraft is statistically more dangerous to fly than an airplane.
According to aircraft accident data collected by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in civil aviation, you are 35 percent more likely to crash in a helicopter than any other type of aircraft. Helicopters crash at a rate of 9.84 per 100,000 hours while planes accident rate is significantly lower at 6.84 times per 100,000 flight hours.
The reason helicopter has a higher accident rate is because they are exposed to more hazardous flying conditions that increase the risk of incidents. Helicopters are used to access remote areas or fly at lower altitudes and have a lot more moving parts that are subject to component failure. This leads to a significantly higher accident rate than fixed-wing aircraft.
In contrast, airplanes are subject to more regulations governing their use. Due to a plane’s size and passenger transport capabilities, planes are strictly regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For example, fixed-wing airplanes are required to stay at specific altitudes when flying over populated areas.
Helicopters are required to follow the best practices regarding safety and elevation. Still, they are allowed to get closer to landmarks. Since rotorcraft is used in highly specialized tasks, they can cruise at lower altitudes as long as they do not pose a substantial risk to human health or property.
Can a Land Vehicle Go faster Than Airplanes or Helicopters?
In general, planes are faster than land vehicles, but helicopters move the slowest of all three machines. Planes, choppers, and land vehicles are all affected by the forces of gravity and aerodynamics which play a large part in the vehicle’s ability to travel at high speeds.
Airplanes, as well as land vehicles, are generally more aerodynamic than their rotorcraft counterparts. Still, planes can go faster than any other car. Jets can overcome wind friction and travel at high speeds because their engines and aerodynamics are designed to produce a more significant amount of thrust and lift.
Summary
When it comes to a head to head challenge of speed, the airplane is first across the finish line. Although helicopters are fast and versatile, their flight characteristics limit the machines’ ability to achieve higher speeds in forwarding flight. In contrast, the plane’s design allows it so smoothly sail through the air at higher speeds.
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