Since gliders have no power unit, they are generally used for sports; helicopters have power units and are mostly used for transportation, transportation, military, communications, etc. See below for specific differences: 1. Introduction to gliders
Gliders (gliders) are mostly fixed-wing aircraft that do not have power units and are heavier than air. It can be towed by an airplane to take off, or it can be towed by a winch or car. It can also slide down from high slopes into the air. When there is no wind, the glider relies on its own gravity to gain forward momentum during the glide flight. This unpowered glide flight with a loss of altitude is called gliding. In an updraft, a glider can fly level or higher like an eagle spreading its wings, often called soaring.
Modern gliders are mainly used for sports and are divided into junior gliders and advanced gliders. The former is mainly used for flight training, while the latter is mainly used for competitions and performances. Some can also complete various advanced aerial stunts, such as somersaults and spirals. After the 1970s, hang gliders began to revive based on modern science and technology (improvements in structural materials and improvements in manufacturing technology), attracting a large number of flying enthusiasts.
There are many types of gliders, which are divided into several types according to different conditions such as material structure, use, performance, seats, etc.
① According to material structure, it can be divided into wood, metal, fiberglass and hybrid structure gliders.
②According to use, it can be divided into research, transportation, training and competition gliders.
③According to flight performance, it can be divided into primary, intermediate and advanced gliders. In order to adapt to different training methods, there are single-seat, double-seat and multi-seat distinctions. Junior gliders are mostly two-seater. They are simple to operate and easy to master. They have a relatively low gliding height and a large sinking rate. They are used for training by beginners. The performance of the intermediate glider is between the primary and advanced gliders. It is also called a transitional glider. Pilots who have undergone primary gliding training are suitable for this type of aircraft in order to improve their technical training. Advanced gliders include record gliders and aerobatic gliders, which have the best flight performance, good maneuverability and relatively complete instrumentation and equipment.
④ According to the competition level, it can be divided into standard level, open level, 15-meter level and club level gliders. 2. Introduction to helicopters
Helicopters are mainly composed of three major systems: body and lift (including rotor and tail rotor), power and transmission, as well as airborne flight equipment. The rotor is generally driven by a turboshaft engine or a piston engine through a mechanical transmission system consisting of a transmission shaft and a reducer, or by the reaction force generated by the propeller tip jet. They are divided into ordinary helicopters, high-speed helicopters and stealth helicopters.
The maximum speed of the helicopter can reach more than 300km/h, the dive limit speed is nearly 400km/h, the practical ceiling can reach 6000 meters (the world record is 12450m), and the general range can reach about 600~800km. The transfer range with internal and external auxiliary fuel tanks can reach more than 2,000km. Helicopters have different takeoff weights according to different needs. The largest heavy-duty helicopter currently in use in the world is the Russian Mi-26 (maximum take-off weight of 56t, payload of 20t). Currently, mechanically driven single-rotor helicopters and dual-rotor helicopters are in practical application, among which single-rotor helicopters have the largest number. Advantages
The outstanding feature of the helicopter is that it can maneuver at low altitude (a few meters above the ground), low speed (starting from hovering) and the direction of the nose remains unchanged. In particular, it can take off and land vertically in a small area. . Because of these characteristics, it has broad uses and development prospects. In terms of military use, it has been widely used in ground attack, airborne landing, weapons transportation, logistics support, battlefield rescue, reconnaissance and patrol, command and control, communications, anti-submarine mine clearance, electronic countermeasures, etc. In civilian applications, it is used in short-distance transportation, medical rescue, disaster relief and lifesaving, emergency rescue, hoisting equipment, geological exploration, forest protection and fire extinguishing, aerial photography, etc. The transportation of personnel and materials between offshore oil wells and bases is an important aspect of civilian use. Disadvantages
Compared with aircraft, current helicopters have higher vibration and noise, greater maintenance and overhaul workload, higher cost of use, lower speed, and shorter range. The future development direction of helicopters is to improve in these aspects.
Helicopter uses
Helicopters have many advantages that are difficult or impossible for other aircraft, and are widely used. Since helicopters can take off and land vertically, they do not require large airports. They are mainly used for sightseeing, fire rescue, and maritime first aid. , anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics, fire protection, commercial transportation, medical assistance, communications, as well as spraying pesticides and insecticides to eliminate pests, detect resources, and other various departments of the national economy. The ranks of World Helicopters are gradually growing.
With the continuous advancement of helicopter technology and the gradual maturity of people's helicopter applications, the development of helicopters has become more and more "professional". In addition to general helicopters, transport helicopters, ambulance helicopters, and armed helicopters have gradually developed. Helicopters, search and rescue helicopters, anti-submarine helicopters, communication helicopters, electronic warfare helicopters and other special helicopters.
Helicopters have a variety of military uses, ranging from material transportation to personnel transportation, battlefield delivery, reconnaissance and infiltration behind enemy lines, to fast-moving flying tanks, communications, rescue, battlefield surveillance, etc. And enough.
Utility Helicopter
The earliest helicopters developed and produced should be regarded as general purpose helicopters - that is, they can do most jobs, but they are not very specialized in any job. It can be transported, rescued, communicated, and rescued. It can also attack with weapons, but it is not very good at doing other tasks except transportation. Therefore, on the basis of general-purpose helicopters, special-purpose helicopters have gradually been developed.
Transport helicopter
It is mainly used for transportation and has a large carrying capacity. Due to different modes of transportation, they can also be divided into lifting helicopters and warehouse transport helicopters.
Search and rescue helicopter
Helicopters developed with search and rescue as the main work direction, usually equipped with search equipment, rescue slings, rescue facilities, etc., usually in the middle of medium-sized general-purpose helicopters Modified on the basis.
Anti-submarine helicopters
Helicopters mainly used for naval submarine search and attack. They are usually prototypes of general-purpose helicopters and are equipped with submarine search equipment (such as magnetic detectors and drop-type acoustic detectors). Nano floats), military communication data links, and submarine attack weapons (such as depth bombs, air-launched anti-submarine missiles, etc.) and other special equipment and weapons.
Early Warning Helicopter
Aerial battlefield early warning and command and control consisting of early warning radar, data link, communication equipment, command and control terminal, etc., installed on the basis of general helicopter or transport helicopter helicopter.
Communication helicopter
Also called communication relay helicopter, it is equipped with wireless communication relay equipment on a transport helicopter or general helicopter. With the development of communication command aircraft, especially early warning aircraft, , communication relay helicopters are on the decline.