TiltrotorA tiltrotor is a rotorcraft that generates lift and propulsion by way of one or more powered rotors (sometimes called proprotors) mounted on rotating shafts or nacelles usually at the ends of a fixed wing. Almost all tiltrotors use a transverse rotor design, with a few exceptions that use other multirotor layouts. Tiltrotor design combines the VTOL capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft.
ConvertiplaneA convertiplane is defined by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI or World Air Sports Federation) as an aircraft which uses rotor power for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and converts to fixed-wing lift in normal flight. In the US, it is further classified as a sub-type of powered lift. In popular usage, it sometimes includes any aircraft that converts in flight to change its method of obtaining lift.
Helicopter rotorOn a helicopter, the main rotor or rotor system is the combination of several rotary wings (rotor blades) with a control system, that generates the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and the thrust that counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight.
STOLA short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft that can take off and land on runways that are much shorter than the typical ones needed for conventional take-off and landing.
AirfoilAn airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is a streamlined body that is capable of generating significantly more lift than drag. Wings, sails and propeller blades are examples of airfoils. Foils which work in a similar way submerged in water are called hydrofoils. When oriented at a suitable angle, a solid body moving through a fluid deflects the passing fluid, resulting in a force on the airfoil in the direction opposite to the deflection.
Bell–Boeing V-22 OspreyMilitary transport tiltrotorThe Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-use, tiltrotormilitary transport and cargo aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. As the first production aircraft of its type, it is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft, and is operated by the United States and Japan.
Drive shaftA drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, tailshaft (Australian English), propeller shaft (prop shaft), or Cardan shaft (after Girolamo Cardano) is a component for transmitting mechanical power, torque, and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drivetrain that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement between them.
Revolutions per minuteRevolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or r⋅min) is a unit of rotational speed (or rotational frequency) for rotating machines. One revolution per minute is equivalent to 1/60hertz. StandardsISO 80000-3:2019 defines a physical quantity called rotation (or number of revolutions), dimensionless, whose instantaneous rate of change is called rotational frequency (or rate of rotation), with units of reciprocal seconds (s).
Disk loadingIn fluid dynamics, disk loading or disc loading is the average pressure change across an actuator disk, such as an airscrew. Airscrews with a relatively low disk loading are typically called rotors, including helicoptermain rotors and tail rotors; propellers typically have a higher disk loading.
PropellerA propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a type of propulsor with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which exerts linear thrust upon a working fluid such as water or air when rotated. Propellers are used to pump fluid through a pipe or duct, or to create thrust to propel a boat through water or an aircraft through air.
Leonardo AW609The Leonardo AW609, formerly the AgustaWestland AW609, and originally the Bell-Agusta BA609, is a twin-engined tiltrotorVTOL aircraft with an overall configuration similar to that of the Bell–Boeing V-22 Osprey. It is capable of landing vertically like a helicopter while having a range and speed in excess of conventional rotorcraft. The AW609 is aimed at the civil aviation market, in particular VIP customers and offshore oil and gas operators.V/STOLA vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft is an airplane able to take off or land vertically or on short runways. Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft are a subset of V/STOL craft that do not require runways at all. Generally, a V/STOL aircraft needs to be able to hover.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.