Abstract: Winged tilt-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and related methods are disclosed. Aircraft comprise an airframe comprising one or more wings; one or more tilt-adjustable rotors positioned forward of the one or more wings; and one or more fixed-tilt rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings. Methods comprise tilting only one or more forward rotors positioned in front of one or more wings of the aircraft, and not tilting one or more rearward rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for shifting a center of gravity of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a propulsion component, a moveable ballast component, and an assembly configured to translate the moveable ballast component. The propulsion component is configured to assist in transitioning the aircraft between a first mobility phase and a second mobility phase. The assembly is configured to translate the moveable ballast component between an aft position and a forward position of the aircraft based on the aircraft transitioning between the first mobility phase and the second mobility phase to shift the center of gravity of the aircraft along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for shifting a center of gravity of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a propulsion component, a moveable ballast component, and an assembly configured to translate the moveable ballast component. The propulsion component is configured to assist in transitioning the aircraft between a first mobility phase and a second mobility phase. The assembly is configured to translate the moveable ballast component between an aft position and a forward position of the aircraft based on the aircraft transitioning between the first mobility phase and the second mobility phase to shift the center of gravity of the aircraft along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: Winged tilt-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and related methods are disclosed. Aircraft comprise an airframe comprising one or more wings; one or more tilt-adjustable rotors positioned forward of the one or more wings; and one or more fixed-tilt rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings. Methods comprise tilting only one or more forward rotors positioned in front of one or more wings of the aircraft, and not tilting one or more rearward rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings.