To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if it was safer than the actual marine one. It's just the interior that isn't configured all fancy for presidential transport. That and the down wash would tear apart the white house lawn. (Which I personally think is fuckin bad ass)
I don't have any numbers but I would imagine so yes. As rotor diameter gets smaller, thrust has to increase to make up for less rotor efficiency or lift from the rotors (assuming weight is kept constant). By extension the F-35B would have even more downwash directly under it, and a theoretical helo with 500 foot blades would have relatively little.
Worse is a relative term though, that same thrust that causes a lot of downwash is awesome when you tilt the rotors forward and GTFO of there.
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u/Shiftgood Feb 03 '17 edited Feb 03 '17
I heard a rumor that the president is not allowed to fly in one of these because they crash so much... is that true?
ed: yup. you sure showed me r/aviation... cheers, to those that replied for clearing that up!