FanWing

External images
	Fan wing image

FanWing or fan wing is a concept for a type of aircraft. It is distinct from existing types of aircraft like airplanes and helicopters in using a fixed wing with a forced airflow produced by cylindrical fan(s) mounted at the leading edge of the wing.

Its makers claim it is the first horizontal-rotored integral lift and propulsion wing in history to sustain flight.

FanWing is also the name of the company created to develop the concept.

Description

Cross-cut schematic

The fan-wing is a radical solution for the problem of how to get the maximal airflow through both the propulsion and lifting surfaces. A cylindrical radial turbine (resembling a cylinder mower) is embedded in the wing with its axis parallel to the wing and leaving about 2/3 of the diameter exposed above the top side of the wing's length just after the leading edge. This increases the velocity of the airflow across the wing's upper surface beyond that of the forward motion of the aircraft. Consequently the wing has lift at slow speeds where a normal wing would stall.

Practical trials with various remote-controlled models have proven that the concept provides a vehicle capable of controlled flight. There are however some significant differences compared to normal fixed-wing flying:

• The throttle directly affects the pitch which means increased throttle can slow the plane down much in the same manner a helicopter flares, and if carelessly applied can force a complete mid-air stop.
• Glide-ratio in case of power-failure is rather low (about 1:3) but if the power-line is disengaged, the fan-wing is fully capable of doing an auto-rotational landing.

FanWing, the developing company, also have high hopes of the configuration being more silent, having V/STOL capabilities, stability in cross-winds combined with low to zero risk of stalls and a very low build/maintenance costs. These claims have yet to be verified with full-sized fan-wings though.

History

Patrick Peebles developed the FanWing concept in 1997. He formed the FanWing Company and applied for patents on his idea in several countries where aircraft are manufactured. In July 2005 the company advertised that the first FanWing aircraft was in development in the United Kingdom. They advertised that the concept has undergone wind tunnel tests and powered model flights, and that the UK government was contributing to its further development.

Prototype

In May 2007 the developers announced that a version built for low speed STOL urban surveillance as a drone was at the prototype stage and claimed the following performance.

• Airborne after a ground roll of just 1 m (3 ft).
• Wing-span 2.4 m (7.8 ft) UAV,
• Made from composite materials,
• Dry weight of 5.5 kg (12.1 lb),
• Maximum take-off weight 12 kg,
• Payload capability 2 kg,
• Powered by a 1.2 kW electric motor,
• Flight speed 15.5kt (29 km/h),
• Endurance, (development goal) 80min.

See also

• Flettner airplane
• Fixed-wing aircraft
• Rotary-wing aircraft
• Ornithopter
• Gyroplane
• VTOL/STOL/VSTOL/STOVL

References

• "More-powerful Fanwing set to fly" Flight International Magazine, November 2004
• "2004 Year In Ideas: The FanWing" The New York Times Magazine, 12 December 2004
• "A Leonardo da Vinci for the twenty-first century" The Independent, 6 September 2004
• "It looks like a lawnmower, was designed in a kitchen - but it could revolutionise aviation" The Independent, 11 November 2002

External links

• FANWING Ltd company website
• Slashdot: Fanwing Planes?