ESTOLAS - A novel concept of an extremely short take off and landing all-surface (ESTOLAS) hybrid aircraft: from a light passenger aircraft to a very high payload cargo/passenger version Completed Project uri icon

description

  • "The concept of the project is to develop and validate the conceptual design of a hybrid aircraft – a flying device combining the best qualities of an airship, a plane, a helicopter and a hovercraft. Such hybrid aircraft constitutes a completely novel type of an aircraft – extremely short take off and landing on any surface (ESTOLAS). ESTOLAS aircraft will have the following major advantages compared to the existing air vehicles. This aircraft is a mixed type ""flying wing"", the basic part of which is the diskshaped centerplane. In general it serves as a receptacle of elevating gas (helium). In the channel of its center there are a jacking system and a cargo cabin and on the edges there are a pilot-passenger cabin, cantilevered wings and a tail. The combined takeoff and landing device is placed underneath: wheel and ski bearers and air cushioned landing gear. Three principles of creating the lifting force: aerostatic, aerodynamic and jet, used on this aircraft, possibility of landing on an all-terrain flat surface, airflow over the systems of control and stabilization generated by the powerplant's propellers, rather low specific loading on bearing surfaces with simultaneous use of modern aviation control systems and navigation allow to achieve high reliability and safety of operation."

date/time interval

  • May 1, 2012 - April 30, 2014