So helicopters have relatively low maximum altitudes due to limitations in low air density. Is this because the rotors are less efficient or the engines get starved of air?
If you had two theoretical helicopters, both with identical rotors, aerodynamics, weights, etc. one with a combustion engine and one with an electric engine, could the electric helicopter fly to a higher maximum altitude because it doesn’t lose power with altitude? Or will it still have limitations due to rotor efficiency or something else not related to the engine.
Theoretically we are assuming the flight time isn’t relevant and any cooling issues with the batteries and electric motors at high altitudes have been solved without changing any aerodynamics between the two helicopters.
In: Engineering
Issue is a loss of air density. Helicopters essentially work by throwing their weight’s worth of air below them. As you go higher and higher, the air gets thinner to the point that the helicopter is unable to generate enough thrust.
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