Abstract: Vertical take-off, landing and horizontal straight flight of an aircraft includes activation a plurality of front and rear lifting propellers, each of which is connected to a respective independently operating electric motor. In addition, horizontal straight flight of the aircraft includes activation of additional left and right pushing propellers, each of which is connected to an independently operating electric motor. The front and rear lifting propellers are respectively positioned generally horizontally and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The right pushing propeller and the left pushing propeller are positioned generally vertically and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: Vertical take-off, landing and horizontal straight flight of an aircraft includes activation a plurality of front and rear lifting propellers, each of which is connected to a respective independently operating electric motor. In addition, horizontal straight flight of the aircraft includes activation of additional left and right pushing in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to an independently operating electric motor. The front and rear lifting propellers are respectively positioned generally horizontally and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The right pushing in-ring propeller and the left pushing in-ring propeller are positioned generally vertically and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: Vertical take-off/landing and horizontal straight flight aircraft for transportation of passengers, cargo, and/or goods are described herein. The aircraft have increased thrust and flight speed; improved controllability and maneuverability of flight; increased safety of take-off, landing and touchdown of the aircraft; reduction in the weight and size characteristics of aircraft. An aircraft includes redistributed, assembled and interconnected small-sized independently operating electric motors of the main rotors obtained by defragmentation of the propeller-motor group (PMG), spaced from each other and forming a small-sized independently operating PMG located at certain distance from the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, and each small-sized main rotor in each small-sized independently operating PMG is connected to the small-sized independently operating electric motor. The small-sized independently operating PMGs are installed inside the screens, on the beams of the common frame and/or on tubes.

Abstract: A flying vehicle including powering a plurality of vertical thrustors, said vertical thrustors coupled to an airframe and positioned to provide thrust in substantially one direction. Also, powering a plurality of horizontal thrustors, said horizontal thrustors disposed to provide thrust in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust of the vertical thrustors, and adjusting the angle of attack from a wing, said wing adjustable in both a horizontal and vertical direction. The vertical or horizontal thrustors include electrically driven rotor which includes a series of blades mounted around the rotor. The rotor and blades are positioned inside an input nozzle with a tapered inlet. The blades are positioned near the narrowest portion of the input nozzle. Multiple layers of blades may be employed to achieve a desired thrust including stacked blades with varying blade pitch.

Abstract: A method of flying a vehicle said method including the steps of powering a plurality of vertical thrustors, said vertical thrustors coupled to an airframe and positioned to provide thrust in substantially one direction. Also, powering a plurality of horizontal thrustors, said horizontal thrustors disposed to provide thrust in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust of the vertical thrustors, and adjusting the angle of attack from an optional wing, said wing adjustable in both a horizontal and vertical direction. In operation, the position of the wing and the thrust from the vertical thrustors and horizontal thrustors operate together to provide for light of the flying vehicle. In some embodiments, when the horizontal velocity is sufficient, the vertical thrustors taper back and the weight of the flying vehicle will be supported at altitude by the wings, substantially using only horizontal thrust.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a flying vehicle that includes a vehicle having a plurality of motors, each of said motors coupled to a rotor and a motor controller; at least one sensor coupled to either the plurality of motors or the rotors, said sensor operative to sense an operating characteristic of the rotor or motor based on a predetermined setpoint; a processor, said processor coupled to a memory and to said motor control circuitry and said sensors, said processor operable to; receive a signal from the sensor; determine a predetermined operational procedure in response to the signal, and alter the operating characteristics of one or more motors, wherein the signal indicates a failure condition and the operational procedure effects mitigation of the failure condition by removing power to certain motors and increasing power to others.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a flying vehicle that includes a plurality of fan blades disposed on a first shaft. The shaft forms a rotor part of an electric motor. The shaft is coupled through a clutch assembly to a second shaft. The second shaft is coupled to a crankcase and to an internal combustion engine. The clutch assembly, motor and engine are all controlled by an on-board processor such that the processor controls the thrust provided by the fan blade by controlling operation of the motor and engine and clutch assembly. In operation the electric motor may be operated as a generator to recharge a power storage system. Moreover, a plurality of such hybrid-electric motors may be used to provide lift and propulsion for the flying vehicle.