Get to the Choppah!

For many weeks I have called myself an aviation enthusiast, and that is true.  However, I do have to admit that I am a little prejudiced against some aspects and fields of aviation.  I will openly admit that I am not the biggest fan of helicopters.  They are absolute wonders of engineering, aerodynamics, and sheer human willpower.  Strangely enough, this is the same reason I do not vibe with helicopters.  I owe it to the helicopters, though; I need to do at least one post where I talk about some fascinating pieces of history.

As with any piece of history, there is a wide range of dates to choose from for the origin of the helicopter.  It is widely accepted that the first feasible concepts of the helicopter were created in the late 1800s, and the first successful flight for a practical helicopter was on September 14^th, 1939.  The first helicopter, the VS-300, was designed by the great Igor Sikorsky, a legendary figure in the aviation world.  Modern-day designs still take inspiration from his work.  I strongly recommend this article portraying the importance of Igor Sikorsky and his life work.  The VS-300 did not function all that differently from a modern-day helicopter.  However, modern birds use electronic flight controls, turboshaft engines, and have a complete fuselage.

I am sure many of you are aware that helicopters are a relatively new piece of technology and are even rarer than airplanes.  However, I was not aware that helicopters have been serviceable for a considerably long time.  When I think of the start of choppers, I think of the late 1960s and early 1970s.  At the time of me writing this entry, I was learning that several countries fielded early versions of the helicopter in World War Two.  These helicopters were mainly used to transport wounded away from the battlefield.  To no surprise, most of these were produced by the Sikorsky company.

Sikorsky R-4B Hoverfly

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I always find myself wondering what advantage a helicopter could possibly have over an airplane.  Airplanes can travel further, fly higher, fly faster, lift more weight, carry more people, and the list goes on.  The most straightforward answer is that every helicopter is capable of VTOL, which only a handful of airplanes are capable of, all of which are military.  VTOL stands for Vertical Take-Off and Landing.  Helicopters do not need a proper airport to land, pick up their payload, and take back off again.  This enables them to be able to land on small fields, boats, and of course, on top of buildings.

For this reason, helicopters hold a special place in my heart.  I may not trust them and would be hesitant to step foot in one, but a helicopter is why my father is still alive today.  When he broke his back falling out of a tree, he was given a minimal chance to live.  A LifeFlight helicopter managed to transport him to Pittsburgh in time for emergency surgery.  Had this luxury not been available, I would not be able to go on walks with him and hear his oh-so-stupid dad jokes anymore.  So for that reason alone, I have got to give helicopters their recognition.  They save lives.

Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight Helicopter

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