Aircraft plying between urban and outlying communities usually enjoy a runway with noise restrictions at the urban end and perhaps little to land on at the other end, but with no objection to noisy operation. The existence of this situation in northern Canada persuaded the National Research Council to embark — some thirty years ago — on an investigation of powered lift possibilities, with strong support from the trunk and regional airlines, the charter and helicopter operators, and various manufacturers.

From a number of generic lift-propulsion arrangements examined in greater or lesser detail, a selection are described here in increasing order of what the certifying authorities call “damage tolerance” or reduced dependence on “critical parts”. Freedom from demands for hovering endurance and quietness, combined with emphasis on small aircraft, offered encouragement to attack what is otherwise a very difficult task. Of the alternatives, only one, which incorporated transverse axis fans and the light weight gas turbines now available, emerged as a potentially satisfactory choice for small rugged transport aircraft.

The project was discontinued because of pressure of other work, but is recounted here in case others may discern wider market possibilities. A small Vtol aircraft should, if successful, be a useful precursor to sophisticated airliners capable of taking off and landing without a run.