Fanwing

Fan Wing

FanWing is a STOL aircraft that pulls 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.[1][2][3]

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, believe the configuration is more silent, has 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.

Awards

Los Angeles County Science Fair 1st Place, 2008-2009, 2012; 2nd Place, 2011

Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium 1st place, 2010, 2012

United States Naval Science Award, 2008-2009, 2011

United States Air Force Award, 2009, 2011

ISEF Regional Science and Engineering Fair 1st Place Engineering, 2008-2011

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1st Place, 2008-2009; 2nd Place, 2011

National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Finalist, 2010

United States Army Award, 2009

ASM Materials Education Foundation Award, 2009

National Society of Professional Engineers Innovative Engineering Award, 2009

California State Science Fair 3rd Place, 2008; 2nd Place, 2009