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Hybrid RotorWing Design Transitions From Fixed To Rotary Wing Mid-Flight
cylonlover writes "Attempts to combine the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a helicopter with the high-speed flight and long range capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft have been tackled in a number of different ways – from tiltrotor designs, such as the V-280 Valor and Project Zero, to fixed rotor aircraft that transition from vertical to horizontal flight, such as the SkyTote and Flexrotor. Australian company StopRotor Technology has taken a different approach with its Hybrid RotorWing design concept which features a main rotor that switches from fixed rotor to fixed wing in mid air."
Someone has been watching it.
"Convert to da choppa!" - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Though at least these guys seem to have worked out how to stop the thing from sinking like a stone during rotor transition though, which is a welcome feature.
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Is this like the Harrier, where the motor switches from vertical to horizontal?
No, it is a helicopter where you stop the rotor and then use it as a wing for flying straight ahead with a traditional propellor. There is a typo in the summary.
This design would necessitate that the airfoil be symetrical along the long axis. Think VW Beatle shaped rather than teardrop-shaped like a typical NACA airfoil. This is probably a lot less efficient than a normal airfoil. Locking the airfoil would also be tricky- The rotor must come to a stop, so upwards lift is basically 0. At the same time, there is no wing for the front propeller to work on. Or worse, a wing oriented in the wrong direction. If they make a full-scale version, I hope the test pilot is single without any kids.
Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.