TriFan 600 passenger jet can take off and lands like a helicopter, uses three ducted fans, powered by two gas-turbine engines.
Images credit XTI Aircraft
The TriFan 600 XTI Aircraft, after years of development, unveiled a revolutionary piece of aviation technology, once it’s airborne the two fans rotate to provide forward thrust and the center fan is only used for the vertical take off and landing.
A powerhouse team, including former chief executives from Sikorsky and Cessna, have come together to change the very nature of private aviation with XTI Aircraft.
Meet the TriFan 600. This six-seat, vertical takeoff and landing airplane provides unprecedented freedom by transporting you door-to-door, rather than airport-to-airport. Designed to fly as fast, as high and above predominant weather, and as far as other business jets, to more places and in a shorter period of time.
By merging advanced, proven technologies in a revolutionary design, XTI Aircraft aims to change the way the world flies. And now they’re giving everyone the chance to be a part of it. What XTI is attempting today is not a new-technology revolution; it’s an evolution of new applications for existing technology. This reduces risks associated with manufacturing and certifying the TriFan 600.
XTI hopes to collect $50 million to fund the production of the plane.
source startengine
May I suggest: split the tail into twin booms and mount the tail fan to tilt between them. That gets rid of the need to cover that fan and, instead, adds it to use for forward flight.
Would shifting the center fan also open up additional payload or cabin space?