Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

i would like any refreences to technical information on either rotaor or jet VTOL aircraft that are capable of carrying more than three people. non-technical links to VTOL passenger aircraft would be welcome as well.

If you do a google search on "VTOL" you will come up with a number of references.

A start (and a place to ask for more information) is "AHS International: The Vertical Flight Society":

http://www.vtol.org/

AHS has copies available of the FAA Research, Engineering and Development Subcommittee's report addressing Tiltrotor and Advanced Rotorcraft Technology in the National Airspace System. So this would allow you a take on the FAA's concerns/approach to VTOL aircraft.

The Executive Summary of that (kind of a nice summary, actually) is at this link:
http://www.vtol.org/pdf/TARTNAS.PDF

There are also links there for Boeing and Lockheed's engine developments for the X-35 STOVL Joint Strike Fighters.

As always, Wikipedia is also a good first source (some fun links to Harrier videos there also):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTOL

The Wikipedia link has a long list of VTOL aircraft:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VTOL_aircraft

This list should give you a plethora of search terms.

Some model aircraft plans can be found at:
http://jetex.org/models/plans/plans-misc.html

Perform a similar search at Ask.com and answers.com, as well as using some of the search terms you will discover on the web sites above. This should get you started.

When you further refine your specific topic / question, feel free to stop back if you have additional questions.

thanks for the links, but i was wondering if anyone had any info on jet powered VTOL's(Vertical Take Off and Landing) that carried passengers, i'm aware of the JSF F-35 and of Harrier Four poster designs, i'm also aware of the V-22 and other odd VTOLs.
i've done basic research such as google and atempts at academic journal and whatnot, but their seems to be little on technical info of the few Jet passenger VTOLs i can find. so does anyone have some less than common technical drawings ofr other info on current or past VTOL designs.

Alexy,

One of the problems with VTOL aircraft is their inherent inefficiency at take-off. Only during midflight, when they assume the configuration of a fixed wing aircraft (normal airplanes) can they be moderately efficient. This is one reason you'll find few passenger carrying VTOL aircraft--if the point is to move passengers from point A to B, there are more efficient ways of doing this.

There are exceptions of course. Military aircraft such as the Osprey (with which you are familiar, I'm sure) sacrifice that efficiency to be able to land in hostile, forward operating locations. Unfortunately, the Osprey was plagued by problems, and as a result was grounded some years ago.

Have you seen the Moller Skycar?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moller_Skycar

It was designed to be a personal VTOL aircraft that could carry four people. It's history is even more questionable than that of the Osprey, unfortunately. It's been pretty heavily criticized, and I believe development has ceased.

I know I haven't helped you find any passenger VTOL aircraft, but hopefully I've outlined some reasons why they aren't commonplace.

Keep thinking though--flight is fascinating, and there are many areas to explore within flight itself. The experts here are anxious to answer any questions you might have--so keep on posting them.

Adam

thanks for the hint of the directyion of the moller skycar. it's interesting, but not really the direction i'm thinking. i've been thinking about more rescue oriented designs. in large storms, it's extremely dangerous to use helicopter search and rescue because it tends to get extremely dangerous in the high winds. also, if a person is on a raft, the wide and heavy rotor wash of a large UH-60 or even of the smaller sikorsky HH-65 could flip the raft, and in the event of a broken leg or other injuries, the task of effective rescue becomes alot harder. and the higher ceiling that could be provided by a jet turbine would allow the craft to fly higher than the storm, maybe.
Also, on Mt. everest, there are bodies of climbers who did not make it that can not be retrieved because of the alttitude. also, if climbers get into trouble near the summit, no helicopter that i am aware of can reach the altitude necessary to assist the climbers. but a jet turbine could have a much higher ceiling than that of a helicopter.
Mostly i am interested in the thought of VTOL's despite practical needs, though they do give me design peramiters. i am trying to design a model on the X-plane software by Austin meyers, and any refrences to existing designs that migh provoke thought would be welcomed.