Convertiplane
Encyclopedia
A convertiplane is an aircraft that converts in flight to change the method to obtain lift, and is capable of vertical take-off and landing. The most common example uses a standard wing
in horizontal flight and proprotor
s for takeoff and landing; the proprotors could be in a tilt rotor or tilt wing
configuration in which case a fairly complicated tilt mechanism is required. An engine failure could be disastrous even in the case of twin rotor configuration, similarly to helicopter
s.
In most cases gyroplanes and compound helicopters use the same primary method of lift generation throughout flight, without any conversion, so they are not regarded convertiplanes.
Convertiplanes were devised only occasionally in the course of aviation history. In 1950s the concept gained brief attention in United States as an intended improvement of helicopters, but the experimental McDonnell XV-1
and Bell XV-3
did not enter production. As of 2011, United States military uses V-22 Osprey
tiltrotor that indirectly derives from XV-3.
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
in horizontal flight and proprotor
Proprotor
A proprotor is a spinning airfoil that is used as both an airplane-style propeller and a helicopter-style rotor during the same flight. Proprotors are typically used on vertical takeoff and landing aircraft....
s for takeoff and landing; the proprotors could be in a tilt rotor or tilt wing
Tiltwing
A tiltwing aircraft features a wing that is horizontal for conventional forward flight and rotates up for vertical takeoff and landing. It is similar to the tiltrotor design where only the propeller and engine rotate. Tiltwing aircraft are typically fully capable of VTOL operations.The tiltwing...
configuration in which case a fairly complicated tilt mechanism is required. An engine failure could be disastrous even in the case of twin rotor configuration, similarly to helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s.
In most cases gyroplanes and compound helicopters use the same primary method of lift generation throughout flight, without any conversion, so they are not regarded convertiplanes.
Convertiplanes were devised only occasionally in the course of aviation history. In 1950s the concept gained brief attention in United States as an intended improvement of helicopters, but the experimental McDonnell XV-1
McDonnell XV-1
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Connor, R. and R. E. Lee. . 24 September 2001. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. Accessed 4 December 2007....
and Bell XV-3
Bell XV-3
|-See also:- References :NotesBibliography*Markman, Steve, and William G. Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer military/aviation history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2000....
did not enter production. As of 2011, United States military uses V-22 Osprey
V-22 Osprey
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
tiltrotor that indirectly derives from XV-3.
See also
- AutogyroAutogyroAn autogyro , also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust...
- EWR VJ 101EWR VJ 101-See also:-Bibliography:* Rogers, Mike. VTOL: Military Research Aircraft. New York: Orion Books, 1989. ISBN 0-517-57684-8.* Winchester, Jim. "EWR-Sud VJ 101C ". X-Planes and Prototypes. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2005. ISBN 1-904687-40-7....
, a supersonic prototype - Gyrodyne
- TiltrotorTiltrotorA tiltrotor is an aircraft which uses a pair or more of powered rotors mounted on rotating shafts or nacelles at the end of a fixed wing for lift and propulsion, and combines the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft...
- TiltwingTiltwingA tiltwing aircraft features a wing that is horizontal for conventional forward flight and rotates up for vertical takeoff and landing. It is similar to the tiltrotor design where only the propeller and engine rotate. Tiltwing aircraft are typically fully capable of VTOL operations.The tiltwing...
- TailsitterTailsitterA tailsitter is a type of VTOL aircraft that launches and lands on its tail. One of the most famous examples of this type of aircraft is the Ryan X-13 Vertijet. Among the propeller-driven versions were the Lockheed XFV, and the Convair XFY Pogo. Studies and wind tunnel models were made of a...