ESTOLAS

ESTOLAS (Extremely Short Take Off and Landing On any Surface) - a hybrid type of an aircraft that is being developed in a project funded by the European Commission. Instead of an airplane's usual long and relatively thin fuselage it will have a bloated central void that can be filled with helium gas to make the aircraft lighter. In addition to that, vertical lift will be provided by a centrally located horizontal propeller, which, together with a skirt, gives ESTOLAS properties of a hovercraft and capability to land and take off from water, snow and other surfaces.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ Article and 3D image http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24571-heliumfilled-airplane-could-help-in-disaster-zones.html
  2. ↑ 3D animation https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/793769296

External links

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