Search Results

It has been found that primary vehicle requirements can be met using existing transport aircraft and a VTOL, possibly a retrieval adaptation of the planned Tri-Service VTOL transport. Great economies can be realized if “line” techniques for pick-up of objects by conventional aircraft in flight can be further developed.

Jet powered VTOL aircraft with high performance capabilities are feasible and are being developed. Because operation of these vehicles within the low speed flight regime is mandatory, if the VTOL capability is to be realized, possible operational difficulties within this zone must be investigated from a safety standpoint. ...Because operation of these vehicles within the low speed flight regime is mandatory, if the VTOL capability is to be realized, possible operational difficulties within this zone must be investigated from a safety standpoint. ...The low speed flight regime as it applies to jet powered, VTOL, high performance aircraft is presented in comparison to similar zones existing for present day rotorcraft.

SOME POSSIBILITIES for shortening the field length requirements of present-day jet aircraft are: Install leading-edge, high-lift devices which are retrofitable to present-day aircraft. Retrofit — or purchase new — aircraft powered by turbofan engines. These have an inherently higher take-off thrust to cruise thrust ratio than the jets, which vastly improves the take-off acceleration. Use boundary-layer control actuated by turbine discharge gas for immediate consideration in new aircraft engines. Use direct-lift jet engines. These will improve the block speed characteristics of the aircraft and also give vertical take-off and landing capabilities. This paper discusses the advantages of each of these possibilities. The author also describes the problem of airport location within a city, and its effect of total travel time.*