Drones vs. Helicopters

Radio controlled or RC helicopters have been around a lot longer than drones. Helicopters—at the model level—don’t create the same buzz though. So, have quadcopters taken over? Are the helicopter’s obsolete—something to forget forever perhaps? I say not so fast. There’s a place for each model and this piece explains the difference and appeal of both.

Few people know much about RC helicopters, yet everyone knows about drones. It’s hardly surprising when you consider what they can do and how affordable they’ve become. Drones have caught the public’s imagination that’s for sure. They’ve created millions of enthusiastic UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) pilots around the world. Some have become pro aerial photographers and videographers.

Why Choose an RC Helicopter?

RC helicopters still sell and have a loyal following, notably at the hobby-grade level. They’re nowhere near as popular as drones, especially camera quadcopters. Most people think drones are everything a helicopter is plus some. That’s a misconception. Yes, drones have attractions that choppers with two or more props don’t, but the opposite is also true. There wouldn’t be any point to this article otherwise.

Here are some reasons to consider an RC helicopter over a drone:

• RC whirlybirds are less complicated with easier to maintain equipment
• RC pilots are in complete control of the flight (no or few autonomous modes)
• Easier to takeoff from uneven ground
• Helis respond faster to commands like twist, turn, soar and hover
• More enjoyable, hands-on flying experience because of the above
• RC choppers generally have longer flight times, particularly at the higher end

What we can take from the above is that RC helicopters attract people who love to fly. It’s a skill, and it takes longer to master than piloting drones. Many autonomous modes guide drones, and that suits most people (see next section). Lightweight helis tend to give better flight times than drones too. One of the major downsides to RC helicopters is that they’re notoriously fragile and don’t stand up to crashes too well. It’s often cheaper to replace a broken model helicopter than it is to repair it.

Why Choose an RC Drone?

The most popular drones are quadcopters with four props or blades. People like to fly them, but it’s not the main attraction. The biggest lure of consumer quadcopters is to take photos and video footage from above. They’re lots of fun with cool features like follow-me modes. Some have gesture control and can launch from the palm of a hand. The better models have 4k cameras and gimbal stabilization.

Racing quads in First Person View (FPV) is about flying skills, but it’s a niche hobby. FPV is an immersive experience where pilots get to see what the drone camera sees. They can do this by looking at a screen, but the ultimate experience is to wear FPV goggles. RC helicopters are less stable than drones and not ideal for carrying payloads. Bulky cameras and stabilizers can easily unbalance a heli.

Here’s a summing up on the attractions of drones—quadcopters in particular:

• Easy to fly (user-friendly) even at the entry-level
• More stable and better suited for carrying payloads
• Ideal for aerial photography and shooting cinematic quality video
• Most popular drone parts are straightforward to repair or replace
• Aerobatics stunts and tricks are simple to perform
• Affordable prices and plenty of choices

RC helicopter owners are passionate about flying and many have experience with drones too. Drone enthusiasts focus more on the photo and video aspect and are less likely to fly helis.

The rest of this guide looks at capable crafts for both RC helicopters and RC drones. I include samples from the cheaper budget end, mid, and higher price ranges to give you a flavor of what’s available.

The next section looks at three popular quadcopters at the beginner, mid, and higher end.