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An aircraft has what is called a stall speed. this speed is the point at witch the wings stop creating the necessary lift needed to keep it aloft. depending on many factors different aircrafts have different stall speeds. some as slow as 38 knots. so essentially this small aircraft will need to be pointed in the direction of the wind witch must be a sustained wind of at least 38 knots. In theory it is possible but highly unlikely. There are dubious claims that this type of aircraft can actually fly backwards. Its all a factor of the relative wind velocity across the wing.
Improved AnswerAircrafts are able to hover with no forward speed.The Harrier and the F-35Bs can both do it.
Basically, how they work is similar to helicopters
Instead of forward thrust for lift (like other aircrafts),
The thrust points downward to push the body up.
Both aircrafts' body and flaps are designed to either cruise or takeoff/land vertically
These two are the only two on top of my head, not sure if there are others like them
Oh, and one more thing: these aircrafts are called VSTOL aircrafts (stands for Vertical Short Take Off and Landing)
Hope that helps!
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNot most planes... the only plane that could hover was the Marines' AV-8B Harrier, which only had enough fuel to hover when it was taking off and landing, even then it only had a hover time of 90 seconds... now the USAF is working on a plane that can takeoff and land vertically, i believe it's the joint strike fighter.
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What is the theoretical max speed of a helicopter?
The theoretical max speed of a helicopter is based on the speed of the main rotor through the air, since conventional airfoils essentially quit lifting at close to the speed of sound. Knowing that, let's assume the main rotor's tip speed moves through the air at 400 mph while in a hover. Now, as the vehicle begins to move forward, that forward motion is added to the existing tip speed. Since the speed of sound at sea level is around 750 mph, our example bird shouldn't be able to go any faster than 350 mph. Realistically, our example wouldn't be able to travel even that fast, since air traveling across an airfoil (the main rotor) accelerates across the top surface, thus cutting into our theoretical top speed. That being said, airfoil design is constantly evolving, allowing incremental improvements in efficiency, speed, and noise reduction.
What does hover mean?
"Hover" means to hang fluttering in the air on on the wing, to remain suspended over a place or object, to move to and fro near a place, or to be in a state of uncertainty, irresolution, or suspense (as a hen hovers about her chicks - brooding over).
Why are airplanes called airplanes?
The wings of an airplane are near-flat surfaces that plane the air.
What is the difference between the flight of a plane and a helicopter?
Both use the pressure difference caused by air moving over the wings at different speeds to generate lift; a plane by moving those wings in the direction of travel, a helicopter by spinning the "wings" around at high speed. This requies that the plane be in constant forward motion in order for the wings to make lift. Thus airplanes must roll along the runaway to take-off. A helicopter cant take off at zero forward speed and hover at zero forward speed. The helicopter can land and take off vertically. Thus, they are good for landing in unimproved spots such as done by air ambulances.
Why does your dog hover over?
Your dog might hover over things that interest him or her because the dog wants to smell or see the object. The dog might also be looking for food.
Do commercial airoplanes hover?
Airplanes, by design, can not hover. They can only achieve lift in the air by forward movement. Sometimes very large airplanes appear to hover when there is nothing in the background to judge the speed against.
What airplanes hover?
harriers
What can helicopters do that airplanes can' t?
They can land in small spaces and hover in flight
Can airplanes stop in air?
An airplane can have zero ground speed if the wind is going faster then the stall speed of the plane. Some planes made for the military also have thrust vectoring that is capable of allowing the plane to hover.
What can helicopters do that airplanes cannot?
1. Hover. 2. Take-off and land vertically. Although there are airplanes (such as the Harrier) which can do these things.
What is the difference between the way an airplane and helicopter fly?
Airplanes can not fly straight up and down or hover.
Do airplanes defy gravity?
No. The wings are shaped such that there is constant updraft on the wings that holds the plane up so long as the forward speed continues above a certain level.
How do airplanes propel themselves forward?
They either have a piston engine with a propeller or a jet that thrusts them forward.
What can an airplane do that a helicopter can not?
Airplanes can cruise faster in forward flight.
Is it reasonable to add the forward speed of the earth to the forward speed of the sun and then to the forward speed of the galaxy in order to find the total forward speed of the earth?
Yes,because it is reasonable
Why doesn't an aircraft fall on the ground?
Actually, aircraft could fall on the ground if it's stalling (losing speed). The reason why their aren't any airplanes fall on the ground now is because most of the airplanes could warn the pilots if the aircraft is stalling and so the pilots will know they have to increase the speed.
Can aeroplane stay in air at one place?
Almost all aeroplanes need to have a forward speed to ensure they stay in the air, one exception is the Harrier Jump Jet, which has a unique ability to hover in one place.
