A Theoretical Approach to the Conversion Stage of Tilting Rotor Convertiplanes: An Approximate Method Giving Some Preliminary Results

RECENT developments in the field of convertible aircraft have shown the practicability of numerous methods of achieving vertical take‐off, combined with forward flight that is largely, or completely, supported by fixed wings. The aerodynamics of aircraft which derive their hovering lift from jet thrust are straightforward since there is no down‐wash to complicate the airflow over the wings; if a rotor is used, however, the wash of the rotor will vary from a relatively minor effect in forward flight to the only source of airflow over the wings in hovering.