11 Rotary-Wing Drone/UAV Advantages+Disadvantages Explained

Rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are some of the most popular types of drones used today alongside fixed-wing drones/UAVs.

In this post, we will be diving into the benefits and drawbacks of the rotary-wing configuration.

Take note that this post won’t be including hybrid VTOL UAVs (tiltwing, tiltrotor, quadplane, tail-sitter drones) as they are in a category of their own.

5 Rotary-Wing Drone/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Advantages

The popularity of the rotary-wing configuration is attributed to the main benefits these drones can offer. They have played a vital role in revolutionising rotary-wing UAV applications.

Here are 5 rotary-wing drone/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) advantages:

• They can hover in place for extended periods of time
• They are much more maneuverable than other types of UAVs at low airspeeds
• They are easier to operate than other types of UAVs in general
• They can takeoff and land in small spaces
• They take less time to set up, takeoff and land

How do rotary-wing drones/UAVs hover for extended periods of time?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can hover for extended periods of time due to their rotor/s that spins at rapid speeds generating lift while being powered by an efficient powerplant.

The ability of an aircraft to hover is reserved to vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones which include all types of rotary-wing UAVs and types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs.

Check out our full post on the types of rotary-wing UAVs where we dive into what each type is and how they work along with some examples of each:

Related Post: What Are The Types Of Rotary-Wing Drones/UAVs? (+Pictures)

This enables these types of drones to excel in applications where they need to hover in place including things such as photography and surveillance.

The WATT 200 made by Drone Aviation Corp. which is a multi-rotor octocopter and is powered using a powered tether and has a flight time of over 8 hours and the Alpha 800 made by Alpha Security and Defense which is a single-rotor gasoline-powered UAV with a flight time of 3 hours are two examples of rotary-wing UAVs that can hover for extended periods of time.

Why are rotary-wing drones/UAVs much more maneuverable than other types of UAVs at low speeds?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are much more manoeuvrable than other types of drones at low speeds as they are capable of quickly and effectively changing direction, especially when they’re stationary while hovering.

All rotary-wing UAVs generate lift by rapidly spinning rotors shaped like airfoils, achieving forward flight by tilting their rotor/s in the direction they want to travel.

Check out our full post on what rotary-wing drones/UAVs are where we dive into how they work, applications, parts/components, advantages/disadvantages, common powerplants and examples:

Related Post: What Are Rotary-Wing UAVs? Unmanned Rotorcraft Explained

This is different from other types of drones such as fixed-wing UAVs that generate lift by propelling themselves forward, therefore forcing air into their fixed wings shaped like airfoils from this forward momentum thus generating lift.

They cannot hover and need a much wider radius in order to turn in any direction.

This enables rotary-wing UAVs to excel in applications that require them to be as manoeuvrable such as multi-rotor FPV drone racing which takes it to the next level as they generally fly at high airspeeds while still being very manoeuvrable.

Why are rotary-wing drones/UAVs easier to operate than other types of UAVs?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are easier to operate than other types of UAVs as they are more manoeuvrable and generally fly at lower airspeeds enabling the operator to require less reaction time in an emergency.

This is beneficial to beginners who still need to get the hang of operating a drone along with anyone who wants to have an easy to operate aerial vehicle that they can fly without much stress.

How can rotary-wing drones/UAVs takeoff and land in small spaces?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can takeoff and land in small spaces as they generate lift by spinning their rotor/s while the fuselage of the aircraft stays somewhat stationary.

This is one of the primary and most important reasons people use unmanned helicopters. Fixed-wing UAVs need to build up speed/slow down using a runway making them incapable of taking off and landing in tight spaces.

This enables these types of UAVs to be used for applications that require them to takeoff and land in tight spaces such as specific search and rescue operations or any sort of time-critical operation requiring them to land near an area which is easier as they don’t need a long runway.

Check out our full post on rotary-wing UAV applications where we explain what each application entails and how drones are used in them:

Related Post: 9 Awesome Rotary-Wing Drone/UAV Applications Explained

Why do rotary-wing drones/UAVs take less time to set up, takeoff and land?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) take less time to set up, takeoff and land as they can typically achieve flight faster without the need of long stretches of runway.

Fixed-wing UAVs need to build up enough speed along a runway in order to generate lift. They also have various parts/components used to control the aircraft that need to be checked pre-flight located in areas such as the tail assembly, wings, and potentially the payload.

Check out our article where we explain what each part and component of a fixed-wing UAV is, how they work, different sub-types of each component (if any), and some real examples of either the part/component itself or UAVs that have some of these parts:

Related Post: Main Fixed-Wing Drone/UAV Parts & Components Explained

It’s also important to note that unmanned helicopters can land on a lot more surfaces that are available closer to their target locations whereas runways cannot be built just anywhere.

This is beneficial as in some applications such as emergency response services where time is critical and drones are used, these UAVs need to be launched in a matter of moments.

6 Rotary-Wing Drone/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Disadvantages

As incredible as this design is, it’s still riddled with flaws that are often the primary reason people steer clear of this configuration.

Here are 6 rotary-wing drone/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) disadvantages:

• They are much less efficient than other types of drones
• They are often unstable
• They are far slower than fixed-wing UAVs specifically
• They are very complex
• They typically have small payload capacities
• They are typically much louder than other types of UAVs

How are rotary-wing drones/UAVs less efficient than other types of drones?

This lies in the physics of how rotary-wing UAVs achieve lift. In general, a larger wing that has both a large surface area and light weight is going to be far more efficient than a wing with a small surface area that is heavy.

We highly recommend you check out our full detailed post on drone propellers including the different types, how they work, their different sizes and pitch, their materials, how to choose them and much more.

Related Post: Drone Propellers Explained: Detailed Beginner’s Guide To Drone Anatomy

Each of these wings that are used in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing drones in the form of wings and propellers need air flowing against them in order to generate lift.

Fixed-wing UAVs use separate propulsion systems to propel them horizontally thus forcing air into their wings whereas rotary-wing UAVs spin their rotors (mini wings assembled together) in order to capture air.

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are less efficient than other types of drones as they use wings with small surface areas that do not capture as much airflow while trying to be lightweight as they consume considerable fuel just to rotate them.

This is why they cannot carry as heavy a payload or fly as long as fixed-wing UAVs.

Check out our full post that dives further into how fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) work, the differences between fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAVs, fixed-wing drone applications, some parts/components that make them up, powerplants they use and some real examples of fixed-wing UAVs:

Related Post: What Are Fixed-Wing Drones/UAVs? Everything You Need To Know

Why are rotary-wing drones/UAVs often unstable?

This is primarily referring to single and twin-rotor rotary-wing UAVs specifically.

Rotary-wing drones/UAVs (single and twin-rotors specifically) are often unstable as they use very large rotors that spin at very rapid speeds along with the various components/parts that enable the blades to function creating strong vibrations.

It’s important to note that we are not trying to say that they are so unstable that they cause accidents, we are instead saying that if they’re used for photography, for example, then the shots taken may not be of the best quality.

Check out our full article on rotary-wing parts/components where we dive into what each is, how they work and the different sub-types of each component (if any):

Related Post: Main Rotary-Wing Drone/UAV Parts & Components Explained

Why are rotary-wing drones/UAVs far slower than fixed-wing UAVs specifically?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are far slower than fixed-wing UAVs as they don’t operate the same way and are therefore designed and optimised a little differently.

The only difference will be the fact that fixed-wing UAVs will often be designed for speed whereas rotary-wing UAVs will be more focused on optimising weight and rotor efficiency rather than speed.

Both will need to worry about things such as their lift/drag ratios and the efficiency of their propulsion systems along with lifting surfaces.

Fixed-wing UAVs already require forward momentum just to generate lift whereas rotary-wing UAVs need to focus on the speed their blades rotate at.

How are rotary-wing drones/UAVs very complex

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are often very complex making them very expensive to build and maintain and more prone to malfunctions.

The parts and components found in rotary-wing UAVs include a fuselage, rotor/s, sometimes an anti-torque device and swashplate mechanism, and a powerplant.

Single and especially twin-rotor systems are typically the types of rotary-wing UAVs that have the most complex systems.

Check out our full article where we dive into what single-rotor UAVs are along with how they work, the types, differences between all rotorcraft, applications, benefits/drawbacks and examples:

Related Post: What Are Single-Rotor Drones? Unmanned Helicopters Explained

These swashplate mechanisms along with the software required to synchronise these devices with anti-torque devices are what add this complexity.

Why do rotary-wing drones/UAVs typically have small payload capacities?

The payload capacity of a rotary-wing UAV includes any additional weight it carries that it does not need in order to function.

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) typically have small payload capacities as their rotors support their entire weights which can only be limited in order to attain lift and to have a long enough flight time to be useful.

This is another one of the primary reasons people may choose to use a different configuration depending on what they intend to use the UAV for.

How are rotary-wing drones/UAVs much louder than other types of UAVs?

Rotary-wing drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are much louder than other types of UAVs as they use rotors that are sometimes very large which spin at very rapid speeds and in turn generate a lot of noise as they penetrate the air around them.

The mechanisms and devices used that enable them to rotate at such speeds also cause friction (swashplate mechanism/stator in a motor) which also generates noise.

Conclusion

It may seem as if the drawbacks to rotary-wing UAVs outweigh the benefits. However, this may not be the case for everyone. This will primarily depend on how the UAV is intended to be used.

These types of UAVs are very popular as some of the benefits we’ve listed have revolutionised what we use these drones for today.

We highly recommend you check out our main post on what rotary-wing UAVs are to learn more about them!