A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop
engine 14, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers 24, above a
central jet engine (or engines) 12, horizontally mounted on a turntable
pod 11 which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides
vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an
upper circular intake 5 downward through a circular shaped rotor-chamber
6 to a circular vent 10 at the base of the craft. The resulting column of
compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations
and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted
jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored
thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin 21 is circular and is situated in
the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around
the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck
2 is situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit 15,
which is detachable.