Tall V/STOL aircraft

摘要

A vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) airplane is described having a vertical form factor. Making the airplane tall has many advantages when operating in hover mode close to the ground. Several variations of the design are described. The preferred embodiment consists of two tall fuselage² structures having an airfoil shape in plan view. As high above the ground as practical a "lift wing" spans the space between these fuselages. This wing may be equipped with lift augmentation systems to facilitate V/STOL flight. In the center of the span on the leading edge of the lift wing is placed a turboprop engine. Alternatively, the wing and attached engine can be made to tilt about a horizontal axis. For takeoff the wing will be tilted skyward. A second wing slightly below and behind the lift wing has a pusher engine located on the trailing edge. This lower wing and engine is also able to tilt about a horizontal axis parallel to the lift wing. During takeoff this lower engine is pointed downward toward the ground. This lower wing contains aerodynamic control surfaces to provide attitude and position control. Subsequent to liftoff the wings and engines tilt into a horizontal position to provide cruise lift and thrust. At the end of the flight the wings and attached engines are tilted back to provide vertical lift for hover, maneuvering, and soft landing. ² "Fuselage" is used here even though it substantially differs from the conventional fuselage (and its French origins meaning, "spindle shaped") since in plan view it is an airfoil shape of large thickness. It will be used here for lack of a better word. Think of fuselage as meaning "where the pilot, passengers and cargo are located".