The new Eurocopter X3

[Ranald]

15 June 2011 Last updated at 23:02 Help Eurocopter is set to debut its brand new X3 rotorcraft at the Paris air show next week.

The new Eurocopter prototype combines the versatility of a helicopter, by way of vertical take-off and landing, with the higher speed of a plane.

Just saw this on the BBC, stunning development in aircraft technology.

I hope this link works outside the UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13776355

Ranald

[miolchu]

I read another article that stated that to achieve the cruise speeds this aircraft is capable of that the rotor blades are 'unloaded' to reduce drag on the advancing blade and avoid stall on the retreating blade. I wonder if this means that the eurocopter is a part-time autogyro???

[Ranald]

It looks as if that is part of the answer.

Ranald