An aircraft
usually require a runway to takeoff and land. During the takeoff run it develops
the necessary velocity to generate lift. Similarly during landing it deploys
the spoilers, thrust reversers and use the anti skid system to reduce the speed
of the aircraft to the taxing speed. Important point is normal aircraft require
a certain length of runway to takeoff and land. But often situation arises
where adequate length of runway is a luxury. Like in an aircraft carrier where the
runway length is not much. So STOL and VTOL aircrafts were developed so that
runway length could be shortened or runway can be done away with.
STOL
STOL stands
for Steep (or Short) Take Off and Landing and include aircrafts
which require short runway for takeoff and landing. Runway length
requirement is a function of stall speed (minimum speed required to sustain
lift by an aircraft). So STOL aircrafts performance is decided by the length of
runway required for takeoff and landing (whichever is longer). STOL aircrafts
play a critical role for transportation and cargo delivery in remote and
isolated areas of the world. So they are designed in such a way that the stall
speed is reduced but payload lifting ability remains the same. Because of this
STOL aircrafts have large wings for its
weight (for payload purpose) and is also aided by flaps, slats, slots, vortex
generators and other boundary layer controlling devices (for reducing stall
speed). STOL aircrafts are designed to land in normal runway and also in snow/ice,
water, and dirt/gravel.
CESTOL
CESTOL stands
for Cruise Efficient Short Takeoff and Landing, and include aircrafts that not
only can takeoff and land in short runways but also have high cruise speed.
VTOL
VTOL stands
for Vertical Take Off and Landing and include aircrafts which can
hover, take off and land vertically. VTOL aircraft can operate either
or combination of the following modes:
1. VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing)
2. STOL (short takeoff and landing)
3. CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing)
4. STOVL (short takeoff and vertical landing)
WATCH
THE FOLLOWING VIDEO TO KNOW ABOUT STOL AND VTOL:
It’s true that that STOL and VTOL aircrafts were developed to connect the remote areas of the world but in this endeavour it has paved the way for a whole new future of STOL and VTOL where its application goes much beyond connecting the isolated places.
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