Ronald
Reece of Aircraft Quality Services has
been working to perfect the concept for
a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicle
for more than 15 years. His latest proof-of-concept
vehicle, VTOL Prototype 6, looks a bit
like a sci-fi UFO or flying saucer, but
he hopes it will eventually change the
face of aviation for many years to come.
Ron
personally develops the plans for his
VTOL prototypes, then creates proof-of-concept
models from his drawings. The photos
below show the structural airframe of
VTOL Prototype 6, which Ron constructed
out of balsa wood.
This
proof-of-concept vehicle is seven feet
in diameter and weighs twelve pounds.
It is powered by two small ducted fan
engines that burn 25 percent nitro methane
fuel at 23,000 RPM. Fundamentally, this
vehicle is intended to eliminate helicopter
rotor blades.
In
January, 2007, Ron will begin a modification
and install instrumentation for use in
ground and flight testing.
Check back to this website for ongoing developments.
If
you are interested in Ron's VTOL project, you
can call him at (562) 290-9892 or contact
us at AQS' offices in Long
Beach, California USA. Obviously,
no proprietary information can be shared,
but general questions are welcome!
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