Patent ID: 6254032
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B64C,B64D,Y02T

Abstract:
An aircraft comprisinga centrally located cabin,a wing extending around said cabin, said wing having an outer edge and defining at least one opening between said outer edge and said cabin,at least one generator for generating electrical power,at least one engine for driving said generator,a plurality of electrically driven, individually pivotal drive units mounted in said at least one opening for generating lift and forward thrust, wherein said drive units can be pivoted from a vertical position to a horizontal position, andmeans for adjusting a power of at least part of said drive units individually,wherein in said vertical position said drive units generate a lift sufficient for lifting the weight of said aircraft, and wherein in said horizontal position said pivotal drive units generate a forward thrust while said lift is generated aerodynamically by said cabin and said wing.