
Since the first modern helicopter took to the skies over 80 years ago, engineers have tried to incorporate the unique advantage of vertical take-off into aeroplanes.

And a firm claims that they have created the long sought-after aircraft in the form of a modern biplane.

Elytron Aerospace is designing a fixed-wing aircraft which can take-off and land vertically like a helicopter, while maintaining the speed and efficiency of planes.

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Elytron Aerospace is designing a fixed-wing aircraft which can take-off and land vertically, while maintaining the speed and efficiency of planes

The Elytron aircraft has three sets of wings - one pair of rotating wings, mounted on a single central wing, and two pairs of fixed wings.

The fixed wings are split into a forward pair and a back pair that are joined by small side bars.

By splitting the wings apart, the design eliminates any interference with the thrust of the rotating wings.

The main central wings are also very light, which helps to reduce drag while in flight. This means the four seater version of the plane coiuld travel at 390mph (627km/h).

'The Elytron family of aircraft is designed to provide the vertical take-off and landing capability of helicopters combined with the speed and efficiency advantages of fixed wing aircraft,' the firm says.

THE ELYTRON: THE AIRCRAFT THAT IS A CROSS BETWEEN A PLANE AND A HELICOPTER 4 seater 10 seater Maximum speed 391 miles/hour 414 miles/hour Range 1,022 miles 1,490 miles Operating cost/hour $650 (£530) $2,000 (£1,640) Maximum passenger weight 880 lbs (400 kg) 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg) Maximum empty weight 2,020 lbs (916 kg) 7,482 lbs (3,400 kg) Wingspan 9.7 metres 13 metres Length 8.5 metres 14.3 metres Cabin height 1.52 metres 1.75 metres

The vertical take-off aircraft could one day have various uses, such as emergency medical services, search and rescue, air taxi, and oil exploration

The Elytron aircraft has three sets of wings - one pair of rotating wings, mounted on a single central wing, and two pairs of fixed wings

'The Elytron family of aircraft is designed to provide the vertical take-off and landing capability of helicopters combined with the speed and efficiency advantages of fixed wing aircraft,' the firm says

HOW THE PLANE WORKS The Elytron aircraft has three sets of wings - one pair of rotating wings, mounted on a single central wing, and two pairs of fixed wings. The fixed wings are split into a forward pair and a back pair that are joined by small side bars. By splitting the wings apart, the design eliminates any interference with the thrust of the rotating wings - allowing it to take off and land vertically. The main central wings are also very light, which helps to reduce drag while in flight. Advertisement

'Elytron's solution provides greater safety, speed, and simplicity of operation over any existing class of vertical take-off aircraft which makes it ideally suited for various uses, such as emergency medical services, search and rescue, air taxi, and oil exploration.'

The firm is working with Nasa to test a scaled version of its aircraft concept, at Nasa's Ames Research Centre in California, with wind-tunnel tests expected to take place early in 2017.

But the tests have not all gone to plan.

In March, Elytron posted on its Facebook page: 'Today during a test flight we had a mishap with the plane.

'Thankfully our test pilot Ed DeReyes sustained only minor injuries and walked away from the wreck.

'Along with the FAA we will determine the cause of the incident and learn what needs to be changed in the next version.'

It remains unclear when the aircraft will be readily available, or how much it will cost.

The fixed wings are split into a forward pair and a back pair that are joined by small side bars. By splitting the wings apart, the design eliminates any interference with the thrust of the rotating wings