A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning blades. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backwards and laterally.
Those unique attributes make this flying machine ideal for several applications that fixed-wind and other types of aircraft are just not suitable.
The global helicopter market was valued at USD 57 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 76 billion by 2030. Helicopters are finding more and more uses in business and commercial activities.
Executive Transport
For busy executives spending time in traffic or in long drives between meetings is inefficient. In crowded urban spaces, using a helicopter to get around makes sense when time is money. Getting to the airport quickly and efficiently or to a business meeting is becoming more and more popular with those who can afford a private helicopter charter in Sydney.
You arrive at your destination faster and fresher without the hassle of congested roads and red lights. The flexibility of a helicopter charter means you can land at a wide range of locations and airports throughout Australia.
You can even transport a group of people and show up at your business meeting in style.
Fire Protection
Helicopters are a vital component in aerial firefighting. Helicopters can get closer to the source of the fire and drop water or fire retardant directly onto hot spots. Although they carry a smaller payload than larger aerial firefighting aircraft, they can often respond faster and make more passes due to their faster replenishing time.
They can also ferry crews or smoke jumpers into areas to construct fire blocks and backfires to combat fires.
Police Helicopters
Helicopters are used by police and law enforcement all over the world. With their ability to hover, they are used to secure areas and track suspects as they flee. By coordinating with ground personnel they can keep a quarry in sight and direct law enforcement as to the direction and location of criminal suspects.
They are also used in crowd control. Keeping an eye on and reporting on civil disturbances on the ground allows police and other authorities to know where trouble is fomenting and to best allocate law enforcement resources.
Medical Helicopters
Large hospitals sometimes have their own helicopters. In civilian health care helicopters act as flying ambulances transporting patients to specialist hospitals, especially in major trauma cases. They are also used to transport specialist doctors and other medical personnel to the site of major disasters.
News Helicopters
Helicopters have provided aerial views of major new stories since the late 1960s. From morning traffic reports to major fires, and civil unrest helicopters can provide a unique view of news stories as they develop. This has made them a mainstay of television news.
Helicopters are a safe and effective mode of transportation. Pilots are licensed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and helicopter maintenance is rigorous and thorough.
These are just a few of the vital roles played by helicopters and their pilots in our modern world.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
