Welcome to Vertipedia!
Vertipedia is a product of the Vertical Flight Society. With data on 863 aircraft, 620 historical milestones, 494 people, and 395 organizations, Vertipedia is your "one-stop shop" for all things vertical lift.
On December 1 in the history of vertical flight:
1947 - First US Marine Corps helicopter squadron (HMX-1) commissioned
Featured aircraft
Our latest featured aircraft for December is the Cierva W.11 Air Horse .
The aircraft was designed to provide viable heavy load lifting capability for commercial operations. It employed 3 main rotors all rotating in the same direction. Torque offset was provided by thrust components from the 3 rotors through built-in shaft tilt. The aircraft had a semi-monoquoque structure, a single engine, and a long-stroke undercarriage (5ft) to cope with high rates of descent. A description of the aircraft and its characteristics can be found in the following references,
Source: "The Cierva W-11 Air Horse", J. Gordon Leishman, VERTIFLITE Spring 2003, Page 52
Source: "Discussing the Helicopter", FLIGHT Staff, FLIGHT, December 2nd 1948, Pages 665-668
Vertipedia Notes
Vertipedia notes are brief descriptions of how and why Vertipedia works the way it does. Check back often for the latest note, or view the complete list.
Engines and power ratings
Vertipedia enables the rating structure for an engine to be defined. The rated power for an engine is assumed to equal the maximum power, under non-emergency conditions - normally the Take-off power. All engine powers are uninstalled at SL ISA conditions. Many engines are de-rated or limited for specific aircraft installations. Where this is known, the engine is described using the name template '[Engine designation] (as used on [Aircraft ABC])'. Gearbox torque limits are not currently available.
Explore Vertipedia
Vertipedia makes it easy for you to find a range of information on vertical flight, including:
- Targeted searches of documents provided by the Vertical Flight Society, as well as public sources from across the internet
- Important milestones that have helped shape the history of vertical flight
- People who have played a role in vertical flight
- Vertical flight aircraft, such as helicopters, tilt rotors and tilt wings, jet-lift VTOL, and more.
