Elliptical aircraft with movable ballast - has adjustable pods slung under fuselage and contg. water ballast

摘要

The aircraft has an elliptical cross section, like a flying saucer, with the cockpit in the front half of the upper section. A centrally mounted ducted turbofan provides lift and movable flaps direct the thrust. Steering is by flaps and steering jets around the periphery. Stability is controlled by three pods slung under the fuselage and filled with water ballast from a control pump. The aircraft is made from glass fibre on light alloy frames for strength and lightness. The efficient turbofan has a good power to weight ratio while the ballast control, with the pods not only linked to pumps, but also extending from the fuselage, enables the craft to be steered in any direction.