There are about 80 different types of civil helicopters. Helicopters are classified by the competent bodies of the European Civil Aviation Authority, which sets the regulations. The categories take into account the maximum weight of the aircraft at the time of take-off. The weight of the number of passengers on board is therefore important. A helicopter flight for 2 people will probably be lighter than a group flight.
But in addition to the number of passengers and the weight carried, the type of aircraft used must also be taken into account. The capacities of a small helicopter are not necessarily the same as those of a larger, more robust one. Similarly, the weight of a French helicopter, the Eurocopter Ecureuil for example, is not the same as that of a Russian aircraft, such as the Mil Mi-8 heavyweight.
The three categories of helicopters are
Ultralight
The light ones
The heavy ones
The rental of a helicopter has a price that can vary depending on its capabilities and power. The maximum speed of a helicopter is 300 km/h. But not all helicopters can reach this speed. Their cruising speed depends on the size of the aircraft and its technology.
The helicopter flies over greater or lesser distances depending on its power.
The challenge for the aviation industry today is to maximize the power of the aircraft while taking into account their physical constraints. To do this, some manufacturers such as the American Lockheed Martin, the world’s leading defense and security company, are designing hybrid helicopters. This is for example the case of their S-97 Raider model, which reaches a record maximum speed of 463 km/h. This type of aircraft is built with two counter-rotating rotors that are associated with a propeller.