Do large helis crash less???

[mombawamba]

I have seen quite a few threads about crash cost for a small heli (450 - 500) vs. a large heli (550 - larger). The thing that seems pretty prevalent is that a lot of people know the crash cost of a smaller helis but not larger ones.

This has spawned the following question in my head: Do larger helis crash less than their smaller counterparts?

I know if I had a 600 I probably wouldn't do anything crazy like I do with my 450... at least not until I had it well practiced. Even then I'd probably mess something up.

[minititinflyer]

if you hit the floor with a larger heli well cost a good bin depending on how bad it is but it dose cost more by far

[Mixmaster Pilot]

I think the larger heli's crash costs vary greatly depending on how they went in. A 700 that goes in under full steam can result in a re-kit and new batteries. A 700 that goes in under TH and hits long grass can result in just changing blades and just a few other components. So the cost can vary by $600 - $1200 or more! crash to crash.

[emberjelly]

I think in general people learn and crash on small helis, then get big helis when they get better. Thus in general I would say those flying big helis are less likely to crash cos they are more experienced. Although big helis are more stable and easy to see orientation, so I;m sure they would crash slightly less often anyway,

[Cisco700N]

I just crashed my 700N. It cost me 200 plus just main blades, main shaft, flybar rod, carbon paddles, and tail blades! shes back in the air but crash less? i dont think so.
All it takes is one mistake, and you'll crash just as bad as the small birds! but i can say for sure that my 700 is way more stable in the air than any of my small helis

[Down Low]

I would think overall, yes larger helis tend to crash less.

As noted, it is more likely that someone flying a large heli has the experience to do so without crashing every third or fourth flight.
Also I feel larger helis are harder to screw up on. Bigger, slower, more hang time, generally easier to make out and track orientation, more stable, less affected by wind, just overall easier. Especially once you get over the pucker factor to some degree.

I have often seen the argument posted as something like "larger helis may be more expensive to repair but you will crash less so it tends to balance out a bunch of less expensive crashes" when people on here debate the pros and cons of going bigger.

[danyl]

Larger helis can be flown more mistakes higher and still be visible. And in the world of aerodynamics and physics, they also fall more slowly...LOL but only by a nano-second or two. I suspect the more mistakes high one is, the fewer crashes.

[snjbird]

For sure, large helis are crashed less! A few contributing factors...
People are more careful with them...
They are more stable
People tend to fly them less
People are more careful with them
They are easier to see
They cost more, sooo....
People are more careful with them

[heli-cuzz]

All helis crash the same. Its either pilot error or mechanical failure.
Take your pick.

[Jermo]

Originally Posted by heli-cuzz

All helis crash the same. Its either pilot error or mechanical failure.
Take your pick.

Most crashes are due to a lack of good process:
1. Proper maintenance.
2. Proper pre/postflight inspections and checks.
3. Pilot doesn't exceed skill.

Mishaps do happen but they aren't magic or random.

And yes..imho larger models do crash less if you follow the above...they give you more time to respond, are easier to see, componets are larger and generally stronger (small parts are sometimes difficult to make as durable.. generally and conditionally)... I feel much more comfortable with my 50/600 size Pantera than I do with my Trex 500 and I fly them both the same.
Jer

[airpup86C]

In my experience, the big helis crash less. They can be flown higher and farther out, while remaining easy to see. The wind will always take longer to blow a big heli into danger. Big helis are simply easier to fly.

Down low and close in, of course they give away much of their advantage, so a lot depends on pilot judgement.

My two scents,

Al

[Greybird]

I think the big heli's do crash less. But, when they go in, it costs some money....

[dfgipe]

I agree with the guys. I am more prone to planting a 450 , but have had my 500 for a year and a half and knock on wood have not crashed it.Because I see the expense of repairing the 500, I am alot more conservative in the way I fly it.

[JasonJ]

In my experience my 50 size has been crashed much much less and I am not any more careful with it than anything else.

[DominicD]

Larger helis tend to be flown by more experienced pilots who are less likely to feel the need to post about a crash. I mean how many "I almost crashed my mcpx today" threads do you need to see

[Luvmyhelis]

Crashed lots of 450s and smaller helos. Never crashed one of my big ones except when my gears stripped under a full power bank. That got ugly quickly.

The larger ones are just easier to see, fly, and keep oriented. Plus even though they are faster (well almost, my stretched 6s/12s 450s keep right up) the disc and roll response of the larger helis is twice as slow. So you have far more reaction time.

[drdispatch]

Pilots crash helicopters. I don't think large crash less than small because they're large. It's because they're being flown more carefully or crash threads are not created for them.

I've been told TDR's are so superb that they simply can't crash, they just move the earth out of their way.

[mombawamba]

So... The larger helis tend to have less crashes b/c they're easier to see from a distance and generally flown by more experienced pilots.

However, anyone can run into some bad luck and end up paying for it. I’m no expert but I’d guess that you can end up crashing for any number of reasons… guess that’s part of the fun in this hobby

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by snjbird

For sure, large helis are crashed less! A few contributing factors...
People are more careful with them...
They are more stable
People tend to fly them less
People are more careful with them
They are easier to see
They cost more, sooo....
People are more careful with them

+1

[Commodore8888]

+1 to everything so far. Something else to consider is how pilot skill affects the crashes. Often more experienced pilots know how to and can save more often, but when they can't the resulting crash is usually pretty bad. Better pilots are usually flying faster and harder.

Crash less, crash harder.