3. What is VTOL?
VTOL aircraft is one that can take off, hover and land
vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as
well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors,
such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors. Some VTOL
aircraft can operate in other modes as well, such
as CTOL(conventional take-off and landing), STOL (short
take-off and landing), and/or STOVL(short take-off and
vertical landing). Others, such as some helicopters, can
only operate by VTOL, due to the aircraft lacking landing
gear that can handle horizontal motion. VTOL is a subset
of V/STOL (vertical and/or short take-off and landing).
4. There are 2 different types of VTOL technology
1.Rotorcraft:
A rotorcraft or rotary-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air flying
machine that uses lift generated by wings, called rotary wings or
rotor blades, that revolve around a mast. Several rotor blades
mounted on a single mast are referred to as a rotor. The
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines a
rotorcraft as "supported in flight by the reactions of the air on
one or more rotors". Rotorcraft generally include those aircraft
where one or more rotors are required to provide lift throughout
the entire flight, such as Helicopters, Cyclocopters,
Autogyros, and Gyrodynes. Compound rotorcraft may also
include additional thrust engines or propellers and static lifting
surfaces.
5. Helicopters
The helicopter's form of VTOL allows it to take off and land
vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally.
These attributes allow helicopters to be used in congested or
isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft would usually not be able
to take off or land.
• On the other hand, the long rotor blades restrict the maximum
speed to about 250 miles per hour (400 km/h) of at least
conventional helicopters, as retreating blade stall causes lateral
instability.
6. CYCLOGYRO
A Cyclogyro or Cyclocopter has a rotary wing whose axis
and surfaces remain sideways across the airflow, as with
a conventional wing
7. AUTOGYRO
Autogyros are also known as gyroplanes or gyrocopters.
The rotor is unpowered and rotates freely in the airflow as
the craft travels forward, so the craft needs a conventional
powerplant to provide thrust.
8. Gyrodynes
Gyrodynes are also known as compound helicopters or
compound gyroplanes. A gyrodyne has the powered rotor
of a helicopter with a separate forward thrust system of an
autogyro.
9. 2.Powerded-Lift
Powered-lift means a heavier-than-air aircraft
capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and
low speed flight that depends principally on
engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift
during these flight regimes and on nonrotating
airfoil(s) for lift during horizontal flight. Such as –
Convertiplane,
Tiltrotor,
Tiltwing,
Tail-sitter.
10. • Convertiplane
A convertiplane is an aircraft which uses rotor power for
vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and converts to fixed-
wing lift in normal flight. It takes off under rotor lift like a
helicopter, then transitions to fixed-wing lift in forward flight.
11. • Tiltrotor
A tiltrotor or prop rotor tilts its propellers or
rotors vertically for VTOL and then tilts them
forwards for horizontal wing-borne flight, while
the main wing remains fixed in place.
12. • Tiltwing
A tiltwing has its propellers or rotors fixed to a
conventional wing and tilts the whole assembly to
transition between vertical and horizontal flight.
13. • Tail-sitter
A tail-sitter sits vertically on its tail for takeoff and
landing, then tilts the whole aircraft forward for
horizontal flight.
14. Advantages of VTOL Technology
VTOL, technology means aircraft can theoretically
take off and land anywhere, making them far more
flexible. They're also able to perform various
manoeuvers not possible with a conventional
plane; a significant advantage for aircraft in
combat situations.
VTOL aircraft, such as drones, that use electric
motors are more energy efficient than those using
jet engines.
15. Future development of VTOL
A number of firms are developing aircraft that use a VTOL system,
Despite a flood of recent controversies, ride-sharing app firm Uber
has pledged to launch its first flying taxis in 2020 using VTOL.
Meanwhile, Munich based aviation startup Lilium aims to offer an
on-demand flying taxi service that it claims will be five times faster
than travelling in a car.
The Current prototype is a two-seater aircraft shaped like a
conventional plane that uses a VTOL system.
At the 2017 Geneva Motor show, Airbus showcased a prototype
flying hybrid car. The modular vehicle can disconnect from it
wheels, after which it is picked up by a flying set of rotors.
Nasa has developed the battery-powered GL-10,which
take off and land vertically but flies efficiently like a
conventional plane.