I've always recognized the Samara concept as one innovative way to address what I believe is the core challenge in VTOL configurations - providing adequate lift in hover without consuming excessive power and without compromising cruise performance.
That said, the concept also presents several engineering challenges, as demonstrated by Joby's now-defunct Project Lotus - particularly in terms of mechanical complexity, as well as balance, flutter, and vibration issues associated with the rotating tip blades.
In my own research, I'm pursuing a different path toward solving the same problem - a modified channel wing configuration that augments hover lift so that the propellers do not need to provide full lift. This setup benefits from accelerated airflow through the wing, allowing the propellers to be optimized for cruise efficiency.
The modified channel wings are shallower and feature a blended wing configuration that reduces wetted area, maintaining a high lift-to-drag ratio to further enhance cruise performance.
You can see our Griffin prototype here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcFpOO4RNHk
If you're open to it, I'd be happy to connect and discuss potential collaboration - our approaches might complement each other well.
Best regards,
Dusan Stan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusan-stan/
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Dusan Stan
Aliptera Inc.
Stoney Creek ON
2896897195
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Original Message:
Sent: 02 Nov, 2025 07:50
From: Philippe Nobileau
Subject: Samara's Hybrid eVTOL
Dear Member of the VTOL Aircraft Systems,
Our research on eVTOLs have yielded the ePC-12 and eATR 52 as realistic embodiments of NASA's "Dos Samara" StopRotor concept:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0AWUgnVZHo
This disruptive architecture, compared to the current direction of eVTOLs (Textron Aviation has just announced the dissolution of its eAviation division), has attracted attention, and we are forming a team of experts to validate and build a POC based on a Pipistrel Virus SW under the Experimental ULM rules.
If you want to contribute to the "TipCopter" team, we would like to know what competence added value you could bring to the Project ?
Cordialement/Cheers
INOVIATION - Phil Nobileau - + 33 68517 4162
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-nobileau-47b22252/
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Philippe Nobileau
MARINOVATION
Villefranche sur Mer
33685174162
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