ESTOLAS (Extremely Short Take Off and Landing on Any Surface) is a hybrid type of

aircraft An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines. ...

that is being developed in a project funded by the

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...

. Instead of an airplane's usual long, relatively narrow fuselage, it will have a bloated central void that can be filled with helium gas to make the aircraft lighter. In addition, vertical lift will be provided by a centrally located horizontal propeller, which, together with a skirt, gives ESTOLAS properties of a

hovercraft A hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV, is an amphibious craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces. Hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull, or air cushion, ...

and capability to land and take off from water, snow, and other surfaces.3D animation https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/793769296

References

External links

ESTOLAS project home page
Types of take-off and landing {{aircraft-stub