摘要 |
A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine (14), driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers (24), above a central jet engine, or engines (12), horizontally mounted on a turntable pod (11) which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake (5) downward through a funnel-shaped rotor-chamber (6) to a circular vent (10) at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off, hover and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin (21) is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck (2) is situated at the top center of the craft, above the engine unit (15), which is detachable. |