Science: Hybrid Aircraft

(2 of 2)

Sikorsky, like McDonnell, will not tell what design it is working on. Igor Sikorsky points out that convertiplanes have many serious mechanical and aerodynamic problems that have not yet been solved. He believes that only moderate increases in speed and range are likely while the hybrid aircraft still has a whirling rotor to get in the way of the airstream. For many years, Sikorsky thinks, conventional helicopters will hold the ground that they have recently won. Eventually, perhaps, a convertiplane will be perfected that can retract its rotors completely while flying as an airplane. Such a craft, free of the rotor's drag, might have very great speed and range. Presumably Sikorsky is working on this design.