helicopter or monoplane(ex:cessna) which one is better?

Question

i want to learn to flight one of those,specially for family trips(of course commercial too!),but i need your opinion and why is one better than the other one?

Answer 1

"Better" is open-ended and subjective... but I'll give you my opinion:

1) Operational and Maintenance costs are going to be lower for a monoplane (either renting or owning).

2) A Cessna will carry more pax (passengers) than a comparable cost Helo.

3) Your Travel times will be shorter in a monoplane.

4) It is typically easier to learn to fly fixed wing than rotary.

Now my personal dream / wish would be for the Helicopter... but that's just because I am a former SH-60B Seahawk Crewman. I have 3543 hrs of crew time, and 250+ hrs up in the front seat. MY family trip would be up to my brother's ranch, and I could drop the bird right in the front yard !!

Answer 2

Rental costs, speed, maintenance, insurance, training - a small Cessna is significantly more viable in most every situation (we're talking about a skyhawk, here, not a citation). Don't expect to be able to load the family and all your junk in the back, either. The maximum gross take off weight on a 172 is 2550 lbs (that means, you, your wife, kids, all their junk, fuel, and the empty plane).

It's a wonderful thing, flying the family across the country, don't get me wrong, but I didn't start planning for that until I had my commercial certificate and even then I wished I had more experience. Make sure you get into it for all the right reasons, first.

Also, my primary reason for answering this is because I am so god damn sick of people giving answers for something they know nothing about - especially in aviation.

THERE IS NO FIXED-WING TIME REQUIRED FOR A ROTOR CRAFT CERTIFICATE.

That means if you want a helicopter certificate and have zero hours in an aircraft, the only thing you need to fly is a helicopter. Makes sense right? Fixed wing and rotor craft are two entirely different types of flying.

The answers above (save the one who says you need fixed-wing time) are entirely accurate - especially mariner31's.

Answer 3

All terrific answers and right. I own a 172XP and its a great airplane, much lower in cost and maintenance (and easier to fly) than a comparable helicopter. I have a friend who owns a Robinson R44 helicopter. New it cost him $440,000. A new Cessna 172 with a glass cockpit is about $185,000. Maintenance costs are double on a heli compared to a fixed wing.
If you want proof, just call a couple of flight schools for fixed wings and helicopters and ask what the hourly rates are for student use. That should answer most of your questions right there. And as others have mentioned, don't expect any small light airplane like a 172 or even larger planes to be able to be loaded up with lots of people, baggage, and fuel and be able to fly, particularly in hot weather. We just had a crash nearby here caught on video by a local station. Pilot loaded up his Bonanza with four people, fuel, luggage and tried to take off in 100 degree weather. Made it all the way to the hillside on the edge of the airport.

Answer 4

Cessna is the better choice. It is cheaper to learn to fly, being a fixed wing. It also has a bigger potential for future commercial application. Further, since you wish to fly for family trips, the Cessna is cheaper to run and operate per each mile travelled.

The helicopter has its own advantages but at a cost. Its commercial application is relatively less as compared to fixed wing aircraft. Its operating costs are high and needs a degree of maintenance which is comparatively higher.

Better choice - Cessna.

Answer 5

It depends on what you want. Airplanes are great for going point-to-point, airport-to-airport, carrying passengers. Helicopters are more utilitarian, more versatile, but usually tend to be used for shorter trips, as they can be expensive to operate. They are used more for remote work off airports.

And for the morons out there: Helicopters do not have a glide ratio of 1:1. It's more like 4:1, which is much better than most commercial airliners, and certainly better than military.

Answer 6

Which one is better FOR WHAT???

It will cost you less time and money to train for your license in a fixed wing airplane. A fixed wing aircraft is less expensive to fly and maintain, and in most cases it is also faster from point A to point B, but a helicopter is more versitile for sightseeing and for several other commercial applications.

Answer 7

Better for what? They each have their purpose that is specific to their design.

You will first learn to fly a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft (most likely a Cessna 150). A rotary-wing license (i.e. helicopter) requires a certain number of hours in a fixed-wing craft and it's a helluva lot harder to fly. Helicopters have higher maintenance costs, cost more to fly, have less range, less top speed and depending on design and engine less payload. But they can takeoff and land almost anywhere.

Answer 8

I think that the Cessna is a safer and more dependable private flight vehicle. It is easier to stay on top of maintenance, which is a big deal if you fly it frequently.

Whichever you choose to buy, the aspect of repair and maintenance is one you should devote serious time to learning about, and staying on top of.

Answer 9

The Helicopter is HIGH maintenance (all the time) and has a glide ratio of "one to one"....go figure.

Answer 10

Depends on whether or not you have a runway.