The conventional helicopter drivetrain requires extensive components such as transmission, gearboxes, drive shaft, a long tail boom, and counter-torque devices. A complex drive system introduces numerous critical points of failure.
Engines deliver thrust through an airfoil-shaped tube that allows direct delivery of power to the rotor shaft
eliminating the need for transmissions, gearboxes, driveshaft, a long tail boom, and counter-torque devices.
A NEW ERA FOR
SAFETY
CAPABILITY ECONOMICS
OUR VISION
Since the dawn of rotorcraft the dream of developing a simple, safe and affordable vertical takeoff and landing aircraft has been the goal of the industry. The Thrust Drive System makes that dream a reality.
THE FUTURE OF VERTICAL FLIGHT
Breakthrough design eliminates the cost and complexity of traditional helicopters
PROPULSION SYSTEM
PROPULSIVE EFFICIENCY
Jet thrust is directly converted into rotor shaft power
Reduces weight, power loss, complexity and points of failure created by the conventional helicopter transmission and tail rotor drive train.
The inventor and designer Dan Peoples with a 1/6 scale prototype reaction drive helicopter during flight testing to compare reaction drive performance to a conventional helicopter drivetrain of the same scale. The thrust drive system converts thrust generated utilizing a jet engine, ducted fan, or propeller into useful rotor shaft torque needed to power helicopter rotor blades.
Small and lightweight this turbojet engine provides a high volume of thrust at low pressure through the velocity stack located on the inlet of the thrust tube. The thrust tube allows the airflow to travel several feet outward from the rotor shaft before air enters a 90 degree elbow. Thrust then exits the elbow providing the thrust needed to generate shaft torque.
This is an example of the outlet were jet thrust exits the airfoil shaped fairing which in turn generates rotational torque to drive the rotor shaft.
The inventor and designer Dan Peoples with a 1/6 scale prototype reaction drive helicopter during flight testing to compare reaction drive performance to a conventional helicopter drivetrain of the same scale. The thrust drive system converts thrust generated utilizing a jet engine, ducted fan, or propeller into useful rotor shaft torque needed to power helicopter rotor blades.