Falx Air Hybrid Tilt-Rotor Chopper
Avro Canada VZ-9V Avrocar
The Avro Canada VZ-9V Avrocar was a flying saucer in the true sense of the word. It used three turbojets to turn a central impeller which kept it airborne by providing downward thrust, it used a vane and shutter system to manouver the aircraft by venting thrust in any direction desired.
It was capable of carrying two crew seated in separate cockpits on either side, facing forward. Total diameter of the Avrocar was 18 feet. The Avrocar was first proposed in the early 1950′s by the Avro company to the Canadian government. Later the United States government showed a great deal of interest and ploughed alot of money into the project. But it proved to be unstable at heights over about 8 feet and although it appeared in a few different forms the plug was finally pulled in 1961.
AvA 299 DROP Heliboarding Concept By Timon Sager
A helicopter ride sure sends an adrenaline rush and is fun in its own way. Timon Sager has designed a Heliconcept that comes specializes for Heliboarding christened as the AvA 299 DROP. The most important part of a helicopter is its rotors that are wedged on the top. But the rotors of the DROP are special, as they are coaxial. The concentric shafts come with a pair of helicopter rotors that have been placed one above the other.
The rotors spin opposite to each other but their axis of rotation is similar. This not only makes the helicopter efficient but compact as well. On the contrary, the presence of two rotors pulls the height of the helicopter a little. Normally what happens is because of a tail rotor power is wasted that otherwise would have been aptly used to provide lift and thrust.
The presence of a coaxial design ensures that no power is wasted. The same engine when clubbed with a coaxial design injects all the power for a better lift and thrust. The DROP, a Heliboarding concept, will make sure the ride is more efficient and packed with power.
NASA’s Space Plain X-34
The space plane was a project that NASA didn’t put too much effort into because at that time it was realized that expendable machines were much cheaper to build and maintain. But things apparently will go in a different direction because they just announced the X-34 a model that manufacturers hope will return safe to Earth once the outer space mission will end.
It was designed at Orbital Sciences and it was presented to the public back in 1999. At that time its mission was simple: launch into orbit, release some devices and turn back home safe. But in 2001 after some comprehensive analysis they realized that the project will be too expensive to build.
Their new approach will go towards the Virgin Galactic space program in which the company simply boosts a spacecraft towards the orbit. They will try to combine this revolutionary thinking with the old X-34 model.
It’s about time they try something different because technology has advanced greatly and for sure there are the means to make this a dream come true. And who knows maybe one day there will be even some places on that airplane for you and me.
Supergiro
Aircraft: Stratos Double-Deck Airplane May Be the Future of Aviation
The Stratos is one of those commercial planes that actually makes me think “this is how the future will look like”. Rather than just being the same old basic design that has been with us forever now, the Stratos has a large 237-foot wingspan and two massive engines mounted on the back, giving it a way more stylized design than monsters like the Airbus A380. Its features, even compared to the A380, are impressive:
• Two Roll Royce Trent-like engines, capable of developing up to 95,000 lbf.
• 55,000 feet altitude ceiling.
• 505 knots cruise speed at 47,000 feet
• 208-foot long body (which in combination with the wings gives it that stylized look).
• 10,400 nautical miles range.
• 256 passengers in an all-sleeper, double-deck configuration (if only all inter-continental places were all-sleepers).
The Stratos is not made by Boeing or EADS. It has been designed by a group of former British aerospace engineers. According to them, this plane will be much more efficient and environmentally-savvy than the current fleet. However, it’s just a design for now, even if they say it could get int into service in 2028.
Solar-Odyssey
This is one of those stunning designs that will woo you the moment you lay your eyes on it. Solar Odyssey was designed to circumnavigate the Atlantic Ocean with zero carbon emissions. While it is one thing to think about it and conjure up a model, it’s a whole different ball game when it comes to actually getting one out in the ocean. To their credit, Lemer Pax from Nantes, France have done it in some style!
Solar Odyssey is a trimaran that has its design inspired by one of the mystical and awe-inspiring creature of the oceans- the Manta ray. The unusual, yet captivating build of Solar Odyssey allows it to sport a wide assortment of photovoltaic panels that help propel it with zero carbon emissions. There is no doubt that the world’s oceans could use less carbon content and Solar odyssey achieves just that.
The iconic trimaran is 60 feet long and sports 1184 square feet of solar panels on the top which spread out like the wings of the manta ray to give the maximum possible solar energy while maximizing the efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. Its narrow, sleek design and clean energy allow it to hit top speeds of 33 knots when needed.
As it moves across the Atlantic and then on a possible trip across the globe, the team calculates its average speed will be around 8 knots and it will make the entire journey on zero emissions. Solar Odyssey itself was designed from recycled parts of other boats to further spread the message of eco-consciousness and to encourage recycling and reuse.
In intent, design and execution, Solar Odyssey stands out from the crowd and has nothing but green interest at heart that makes it one of the most promising projects we have seen so far in 2011.
Airship
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