Why are helicopters so hard to fly? Which is right :

There are more controls than in an aircraft,
Helicopters are inherently unstable,
There are a lot of cross-couplings between the controls,
Helicopters are influenced severly by their rotor turbulence

1 answer

All of the given options are correct to some extent when explaining why helicopters are considered difficult to fly.

1) There are more controls than in an aircraft: This is true because helicopters have additional controls such as cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals. These controls require simultaneous manipulation by the pilot, which can be challenging for those who are not accustomed to them.

2) Helicopters are inherently unstable: Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters inherently lack stability due to their design. They rely on continuous input from the pilot to maintain balance and control, making them more demanding to fly.

3) There are a lot of cross-couplings between the controls: Cross-coupling refers to the interdependence of helicopter controls. The inputs made on one control may have an unintended effect on another, creating a complex relationship between the controls. This complexity can make coordination and control adjustment more difficult for the pilot.

4) Helicopters are influenced severely by their rotor turbulence: The rotor turbulence generated by a helicopter's rotating blades can affect its stability and control. The airflow disturbance caused by the rotor can lead to unpredictable movements, making helicopter flight more challenging and requiring constant adjustments from the pilot.

In conclusion, helicopters' difficulty in flying can be attributed to the combination of multiple controls, inherent instability, cross-couplings between controls, and their susceptibility to the effects of rotor turbulence.