Tandem powered power tilting aircraft

• US 7,306,186 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom Kusic
• Original Assignee: Tom Kusic
• Inventors: Kusic, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): SWIATEK, ROBERT P
• Application Number:
  US10/518,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050230520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: 244/7.C, 244/12.3, 244/12.4, 244/17.19, 244/17.23, 244/17.25, 244/23.B, 244/56
• US Class Current: 244/17.23
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/28 with forward-propulsion propellers pivotable to act as lifting rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/52 Tilting of rotor bodily relative to fuselage of see-saw type construction B64C27/43
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0033 the propellers being tiltable relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0075 the motors being tiltable relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0083 the lift during taking-off being created by several motors of different type

Abstract

Vertical take-off aircraft (1) has first (4) and second (17) lifting mechanism (eg helicopter-type rotors, jets, turboprops) arranged in tandem, either above or outboard of ends (2, 3). Lifting mechanisms (4, 17) are independently tiltable, in multiple directions, by hydraulic rams (11, 13, 14, 16, 24, 26, 27, 29) to manoeuvre aircraft (1). In particular first lifting mechanism (4) may be tilted in the opposite transverse direction to second lifting mechanism (17) so as to alter direction of flight. First lifting mechanism (4) may be tilted by further hydraulic rams so that its rotor lies in a vertical plane for forward flight of aircraft (1).

Claims

1. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism comprises a power plant as a means for providing downwardly extending thrust to the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism comprises a power plant as a means for providing downwardly extending thrust to the aircraft, and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint, and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism extending thrust in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism extending thrust in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

2. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism comprises a rotor, an engine assembly, and a plurality of blades, with the said blades connected to the rotor, and which said engine assembly is able to rotate the said rotor, with the blades connected to the rotor such that when the rotor is rotated by the said engine assembly air can be forced in a downward direction by means of the blades rotating around the rotor, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft by forcing air in a downward direction by way of the blades rotating around the rotor,

and the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a rotor, an engine assembly, and a plurality of blades, with the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, and which engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism is able to rotate the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, with the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism such that when the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism is rotated by the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism air can be forced in a downward direction by means of the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism rotating around the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, with the secondary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft by forcing air in a downward direction by way of the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism rotating around the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint, and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

3. The aircraft of claim 2 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine and the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine.

4. The aircraft of claim 2 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines and the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine.

5. The aircraft of claim 2 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine and the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines.

6. The aircraft of claim 2 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines and the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines.

7. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint,

which primary lifting mechanism is a turboprop, and which primary lifting mechanism is attached to the primary tilt enabling joint such that air can be forced in a downward direction by the primary lifting mechanism, and such that by forcing air in a downward direction the primary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint,

and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft,

and the secondary lifting mechanism is a turboprop, which secondary lifting mechanism is attached to the secondary tilt enabling joint such that air can be forced in a downward direction by the secondary lifting mechanism, and such that by forcing air in a downward direction the secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint,

with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

8. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism comprises a rotor, an engine assembly, and a plurality of blades, with the said blades connected to the rotor, and which said engine assembly is able to rotate the said rotor, with the blades connected to the rotor such that when the rotor is rotated by the said engine assembly air can be forced in a downward direction by means of the blades rotating around the rotor, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft by forcing air in a downward direction by way of the blades rotating around the rotor,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint, and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft,

and the secondary lifting mechanism comprises at least one jet engine, which said at least one jet engine is attached to the secondary tilt enabling joint such that the said at least one jet engine is able to force exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction and such that by forcing exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction the said at least one jet engine can exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

9. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein the said at least one jet engine is a turbojet.

10. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein the said at least one jet engine is a turbofan.

11. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine.

12. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines.

13. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint, and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism through the primary tilt enabling joint and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism through the secondary tilt enabling joint while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

14. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint,

which primary lifting mechanism is a turboprop, and which primary lifting mechanism is attached to the primary tilt enabling joint such that air can be forced in a downward direction by the primary lifting mechanism, and such that by forcing air in a downward direction the primary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint,

and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft,

and the secondary lifting mechanism comprises at least one jet engine, which said at least one jet engine is attached to the secondary tilt enabling joint such that the said at least one jet engine is able to force exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction and such that by forcing exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction the said at least one jet engine can exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing exhaust gases to travel in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

15. The aircraft of claim 14 wherein the said at least one jet engine is a turbojet.

16. The aircraft of claim 14 wherein the said at least one jet engine is a turbofan.

17. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism comprises a rotor, an engine assembly, and a plurality of blades, with the said blades connected to the rotor, and which said engine assembly is able to rotate the said rotor, with the blades connected to the rotor such that when the rotor is rotated by the said engine assembly air can be forced in a downward direction by means of the blades rotating around the rotor, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft by forcing air in a downward direction by way of the blades rotating around the rotor,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint, and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft,

and the secondary lifting mechanism is a turboprop, which secondary lifting mechanism is attached to the secondary tilt enabling joint such that air can be forced in a downward direction by the secondary lifting mechanism, and such that by forcing air in a downward direction the secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

18. The aircraft of claim 17 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine.

19. The aircraft of claim 17 wherein the engine assembly of the primary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines.

20. An aircraft with a main body, a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism, which main body has a forward end and an aft end, with the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of upward forces exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are connected to the main body of the aircraft in tandem order,

and which primary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by a tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the primary lifting mechanism relative to the main body of the aircraft, and which said tilt enabling joint is a primary tilt enabling joint,

which primary lifting mechanism is a turboprop, and which primary lifting mechanism is attached to the primary tilt enabling joint such that air can be forced in a downward direction by the primary lifting mechanism, and such that by forcing air in a downward direction the primary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft, with the primary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the forward end of the main body of the aircraft through the primary tilt enabling joint,

and which secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by an additional tilt enabling joint, which said additional tilt enabling joint is a secondary tilt enabling joint, and which said secondary lifting mechanism is connected to the main body of the aircraft by the secondary tilt enabling joint such that during flight of the aircraft the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a plurality of directions and angles relative to the main body of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in forward, rearward and lateral directions relative to the main body during flight of the aircraft, in a controlled manner, and

such that a direction of travel of the aircraft during flight can be altered by altering the lateral direction or angle of tilt of the secondary lifting mechanism relative to the main body, and which secondary tilt enabling joint is such that the secondary lifting mechanism can be tilted in a controlled manner in a lateral direction with respect to the main body of the aircraft during flight of the aircraft that is opposite to a lateral direction that the primary lifting mechanism can be tilted in with respect to the main body of the aircraft by means of the primary tilt enabling joint during flight of the aircraft,

and which secondary lifting mechanism comprises a rotor, an engine assembly, and a plurality of blades, with the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, and which engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism is able to rotate the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, with the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism connected to the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism such that when the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism is rotated by the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism air can be forced in a downward direction by means of the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism rotating around the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, with the secondary lifting mechanism able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft by forcing air in a downward direction by way of the blades of the secondary lifting mechanism rotating around the rotor of the secondary lifting mechanism, and which secondary lifting mechanism is able to exert an upward force on the aft end of the main body of the aircraft through the secondary tilt enabling joint, with the primary tilt enabling joint and the secondary tilt enabling joint connected to the main body of the aircraft, and with the aircraft able to achieve flight by means of an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the primary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction and an upward force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the secondary lifting mechanism forcing air in a downward direction while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order, and with controlled lateral tilting of the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism able to occur during flight while the primary lifting mechanism and the secondary lifting mechanism are maintained in tandem order.

21. The aircraft of claim 20 wherein the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a single engine.

22. The aircraft of claim 20 wherein the engine assembly of the secondary lifting mechanism comprises a plurality of engines.