Beta Technologies' ALIA-250 electric aircraft

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by samwichse

A venturi shroud can double the static thrust of a propeller, but the faster it travels the less the effect and the more drag from the shroud. Basically the advantage negates itself once it's moving fast enough through the air, but VTOL craft (like quadcopters) need lots of static thrust so shrouds can help.

I've wondered if quads would benefit too, but then the shroud becomes more frontal area when traveling on the horizontal plane. Not sure if the extra weight and frontal area would be worth it or not. Initially I thought the shroud could double as the landing platform, but the ground effect would probably make it extremely unstable.

[Ecky]

Headed over to BETA today, so I can get a few more pictures and maybe talk to some of the engineers.