tilt-propeller aircraft

Tilt-propeller aircraft, also known as tiltrotors, are a type of V/STOL (vertical or short takeoff and landing) aircraft that can transition between vertical lift and conventional horizontal flight. These aircraft combine the utility of a helicopter with speeds approaching those of turboprop transports.1

In a tilt-rotor aircraft, the helicopter rotors are mounted on nacelles that can pivot. For vertical takeoff and landing, the rotors are oriented vertically. Once airborne, they rotate horizontally to provide forward thrust, similar to a conventional airplane. The Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey is a prominent example of this technology, stemming from development that began in the 1950s. This configuration holds promise for intercity air transportation by offering both vertical flight capabilities and efficient forward speeds.1