Drones were invented ahead of the RC helicopter, but they only recently got popular as a hobby when their technology became modernized. Like RC helicopters, there are other uses for drones.
Aerial photography is only one of the many commercial and practical applications of crewless vehicles. For instance, large-scale drones are now utilized by the US Military as part of their military hardware, such as surveillance and aerial weapons systems.
This article will tackle various features and functions of drones and RC helicopters and compare them to understand the two better.
Practical and Commercial Applications
One might think of miniature models of flight vehicles like toys, but some applications go beyond simple recreational activities. The first thing to emphasize here is the industrial impact of drones and RC helicopters.
While it’s certainly possible to take photographs of an area for surveillance and aerial inspection with a regular stealth helicopter or plane, nothing beats the efficiency that a crewless vehicle can do, considering that the pilot controls the vehicle somewhere safe.
One of the most recent applications of this is the addition of pocket-sized drones to the US Military soldiers to enhance their reconnaissance capabilities.
On the other hand, the crop spraying capability of large and modernized RC helicopter units makes farming incredibly efficient. One example is the Yamaha RMAX, specifically designed to do that job efficiently.
Here is a video of Yamaha RMAX being put into action:
In terms of their range capabilities, RC helicopters can also cover a huge area before the connection to the user gets interrupted since it uses radio to send signals for control. While using a different mode transmission, drones can also cover up to 5 miles of flight.
One area of practical application that drones far outweigh RC helicopters is the power source. More advanced drones like military-grade ones use combustion engines and sometimes solar power to make the drone stay airborne for as long as possible without the risk of crashing.
Recreational Use
Drones have a strong track record of taking high-definition aerial footage for personal projects, but RC helicopters are also equipped with technology on par with the light-weighted drones. With that said, these two are not so much different in terms of recreational use.
On the one hand, recreational use of drones has certain regulations mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration or FAA. It’s important to know these rules before attempting to fly your drones to ensure that there would be no disturbance within the area.
Drones can be used to fly around for personal enjoyment. Many different types of drones are available in the market, each equipped with different technology, such as gyro stabilizers and high-definition cameras.
Meanwhile, RC helicopters also have a lot to offer regarding recreational use. For starters, they are designed to mimic the mechanics and design of actual helicopters, making them a subject of interest for most helicopter enthusiasts.
Ease of Access
Drones can fly at high altitudes and are almost always equipped with cameras, making them typically more expensive than RC helicopters. The latter, however, has a large number of categories that make it more user-friendly. For instance, there are toy RC helicopters, and therefore it would only make sense that they would be a lot easier to use for children and hobbyists in general.
Large-scale drone pilots also need to pass certain tests and receive a certificate that proves they are qualified to operate safely. While justly so, this, in turn, makes it harder for the general public to get into drone-flying as a hobby.
However, one possible consolation is that drones are connected via digital devices such as smartphones or tablets. This digital connection makes it easier for people to learn the drone’s controls. You can use the device almost immediately, without much effort into learning the proper handling and mechanics of the device like most hobby-grade RC helicopters in the market.
Even in hobby-grade RC helicopters, certain models are built for speed and performance, and so they use more lightweight materials that tend to be inexpensive for most people.
Conclusion
One of the most common answers to the question, “If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?” is the concept of being able to fly. Indeed, flying has always fascinated humankind since time immemorial. In modern times, not only are we able to find real ways to make that possible, but it has also become an industry that has constantly been evolving over the years.
Drones and RC helicopters are part of that evolution, and they are here to stay. Each has its unique use case, and it depends entirely on the user what they want about the device to say which one stands out.
Drones, for instance, are used for high-altitude flights that can take footage and cover larger areas for inspections. On the other hand, RC helicopters are aimed mainly at hobbyists and helicopter enthusiasts who want access to the real feeling of being in an actual helicopter while staying safe.