Variations of an aerial vehicle, all with capability of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), with one variation comprising at least three engines, at least three rotors, a flight control system, battery, and propulsion system. The second VTOL aerial vehicle variation being a hybrid with engine-powered rotors and electric-powered rotors configured to work with a flight control system and battery. The first and second variations having the option of a genset system which recharges the battery. The third VTOL aerial vehicle variation being all-electric-powered rotors configured to work with a flight control system and a genset system which powers the rotors and/or recharges the battery.

An electric tandem rotorcraft is disclosed. The tandem rotorcraft can include a forward and an aft electric rotor assembly operably coupled to a fuselage of the rotor craft. The aft rotor assembly can be coupled to the fuselage via a tail structure. The rotorcraft can include a wing assembly that can be operably rotatable between a vertical lift configuration and a horizontal flight configuration. The wing assembly can be disposed between and/or below planes of rotation of the forward and aft rotor assemblies. The forward and aft rotor assemblies can have planes of rotation that overlap one another and may or may not intermesh. The forward and aft rotor assemblies can also be distanced such that their respective planes of rotation do not overlap.

An electric tandem rotorcraft is disclosed. The tandem rotorcraft can include a forward and an aft electric rotor assembly operably coupled to a fuselage of the rotor craft. The aft rotor assembly can be coupled to the fuselage via a tail structure. The rotorcraft can include a wing assembly that can be operably rotatable between a vertical lift configuration and a horizontal flight configuration. The wing assembly can be disposed between and/or below planes of rotation of the forward and aft rotor assemblies. The forward and aft rotor assemblies can have planes of rotation that overlap one another and may or may not intermesh. The forward and aft rotor assemblies can also be distanced such that their respective planes of rotation do not overlap.

To provide an aerial vehicle that can realize ease of operation during driving. An aerial vehicle according to the present technology includes: a vehicle body extending in a front-rear direction; a saddle section provided on an upper side of the vehicle body; a grip section provided on the front side of the saddle section in the vehicle body; and a rotary wing section which is provided in the vehicle body and which generates lift and/or thrust with respect to the vehicle body; wherein an operation section for performing operations pertaining to actions relating to ascent and/or propulsion of the vehicle body is provided in the grip section.

To provide an aerial vehicle that can realize ease of operation during driving. An aerial vehicle according to the present technology includes: a vehicle body extending in a front-rear direction; a saddle section provided on an upper side of the vehicle body; a grip section provided on the front side of the saddle section in the vehicle body; and a rotary wing section which is provided in the vehicle body and which generates lift and/or thrust with respect to the vehicle body; wherein an operation section for performing operations pertaining to actions relating to ascent and/or propulsion of the vehicle body is provided in the grip section.

Vertical take-off, landing and horizontal straight flight of an aircraft includes activation a plurality of front and rear lifting in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to a respective independently operating electric motor. In addition, horizontal straight flight of the aircraft includes activation of additional left and right pushing in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to an independently operating electric motor. The front and rear lifting in-ring propellers are respectively positioned generally horizontally and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The right pushing in-ring propeller and the left pushing in-ring propeller are positioned generally vertically and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

A method of facilitating the piloting of a hybrid rotorcraft that comprises a lift rotor and at least one propulsion rotor together with at least one engine operating in compliance with at least one rating. For at least one rating, onboard calculator determines a first power margin of the power plant that is available for the lift rotor and at least one second power margin that is available for said at least one propulsion rotor. A single indicator displays a line together with a first index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of the lift rotor, and a second index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of said at least one propulsion rotor. For each monitored rating, a first symbol is spaced apart from the first index by a first distance illustrating the first power margin. A second symbol is spaced apart from the second index by a second distance illustrating the second power margin.

A method of facilitating the piloting of a hybrid rotorcraft that comprises a lift rotor and at least one propulsion rotor together with at least one engine operating in compliance with at least one rating. For at least one rating, onboard calculator determines a first power margin of the power plant that is available for the lift rotor and at least one second power margin that is available for said at least one propulsion rotor. A single indicator displays a line together with a first index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of the lift rotor, and a second index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of said at least one propulsion rotor. For each monitored rating, a first symbol is spaced apart from the first index by a first distance illustrating the first power margin. A second symbol is spaced apart from the second index by a second distance illustrating the second power margin.

An aircraft employs articulated, variable-position electric rotors having different operating configurations and transitions therebetween, as well as variable-pitch airfoils or blades, for generating vectored thrust in the different configurations. Control circuitry generates rotor position signals and blade pitch signals to independently control rotor thrust, rotor orientation and rotor blade pitch of the variable-position rotors in a manner providing (i) the transitions among the operating configurations for corresponding flight modes of the aircraft, which may include both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode as well as a forward-flight mode, and (ii) commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft in the different configurations, including tailoring blade pitch to optimize aspects of aircraft performance.

An aircraft employs articulated, variable-position electric rotors having different operating configurations and transitions therebetween, as well as variable-pitch airfoils or blades, for generating vectored thrust in the different configurations. Control circuitry generates rotor position signals and blade pitch signals to independently control rotor thrust, rotor orientation and rotor blade pitch of the variable-position rotors in a manner providing (i) the transitions among the operating configurations for corresponding flight modes of the aircraft, which may include both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode as well as a forward-flight mode, and (ii) commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft in the different configurations, including tailoring blade pitch to optimize aspects of aircraft performance.