Tilt wing advantage for high-speed VSTOL aircraft

The history of tilt wing aircraft research, which began in the early 1950s, is reviewed. The successful research into tilt wing aircraft and their vertical or short takeoff and landing applications are examined. Current successful designs can handle assignments from military operations to rescue missions to passenger ferry operations. They can land easily on ship helo pads, aircraft carriers and in parking lots. They are generally limited to light loads.