The Spinwing can hover more efficiently than most helicopters any number of times during a single flight as shown on the cover of this magazine.

VTOL Launch and Recovery are achieved by collectively feathering the wing and tail fins over 90 degrees into the position shown in the additional images below. Power drives the tail fins much like a helicopter rotor - the wings counter-rotate in reaction to the torque. Higher efficiency and dramatically lower noise is achieved by large slow turning rotor blades relative to conventional helicopters. Fast, efficient, fixed wing performance is achieved when the wings and tails fins are feathered. Power is now delivered through a transmission to a large diameter, quiet and efficient, slow turning pusher propeller similar to long endurance UAVs.

The Spinwing flight profile begins in helicopter mode (see graphic) for a vertical take-off. At any point during a single flight of Spinwing it can convert to fly as either a helicopter or a airplane. When Spinwing wants to convert from helicopter to airplane flight mode, the wings and tail fins are feathered and stop rotation by external aerodynamics and with a gentle pull out maneuver leveling out into airplane flight. When the Spinwing wants to convert from airplane to helicopter mode, a gentle push over (done by turning the nose downward) while pitching the wings allowing them to auto-rotate. To land, the Spinwing will be flying in helicopter mode for a typical helicopter landing but with greater control because tail and wing rotors are rotating in opposite directions eliminating the complicating torque common to all helicopters.

Spinwing has already shown conversion from helicopter to airplane mode using a 4 pound radio controlled model.

• Watch video of conversion.
• Watch Spinwing TS5000 flight animation.

The following white paper was written by Randy McDonnell and provides technical information relative to the history of VTOL aircraft.

White Paper

Additional Images:
	The Spinwing can fly over 140 knots providing fast, efficient fixed wing airplane performance featuring true VTOL capability with no need for a runway or specialized launch and recovery equipment.
	Spinwing’s disruptive contradictory capabilities: efficient rotary and fixed wing performance; make it the world’s first and only successfully flying stop rotor aircraft.
	The Spinwing is shown in airplane mode with Randy McDonnell (red shirt).
	Horizontal Flight mode component explanation.
	Spinwing in position of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
	Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) mode component explanation.

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