The Virtual Wing Regional

The aviation industry is currently trapped between two extremes: efficient high-capacity jets that require 2,000-meter runways, and small STOL aircraft that lack the passenger capacity for commercial viability. I thought of the Virtual Wing Regional (VWR) to break this deadlock. By scaling the Active Flow Control (AFC) and Blown-Nacelle architecture to a 36-person airframe, I created a vehicle capable of 150-meter operations on land and water.

To maintain the aerodynamic fineness ratio required for a high-speed cruise (450–500 km/h), the VWR utilizes a 2+1 seating configuration, 33 Passengers + 1 Hostess + 2 Pilots. A forward galley and hostess station provide a buffer between the cockpit and the main cabin, ensuring centralized mass management.

Scaling to a 15,000 kg MTOW (Maximum takeoff weight) requires shifting to twin turboprops in the 2,000–2,500 hp range. These engines are not just for thrust; they are the air pumps for the entire system. High-pressure air is tapped from the turbine compressors to feed the Boundary Layer Suction (BLS) inlets at the leading edge. The massive thermal energy from the turboprop exhaust is channeled through the Interstage Burner Units (IBU) into the trailing-edge blown slots for exhaust augmentation. Every watt of energy is utilized—part for shaft horsepower (propellers) and part for fluidic lift (AFC).

The VWR retains the twin vertical stabilizers mounted on the engine nacelles. While unconventional for a large aircraft, this provides specific advantages. In a One Engine Out scenario, the VWR uses Cross-Ducting. High-pressure air from the active engine is shunted to the rudder of the dead-engine side, maintaining directional control through fluidic augmentation rather than just brute-force surface area. Without a standard tail, the rear fuselage can accommodate a ramp or large cargo door, making the VWR a dual-use passenger/freight asset.

The VWR is designed for Integrated Hydrofoil operations. Instead of dragging heavy, drag-inducing floats through the air, the VWR uses its tricycle trailing-link gear doors as retractable high-efficiency foils. By landing at only 80 km/h (vs. the 140 km/h of standard regional props), the VWR can operate in higher sea states with significantly reduced hull impact stress. This allows 36 people to land directly at a downtown pier or on a short 200-meter pocket-port.

The VWR (Virtual Wing Regional) is the logical evolution of the Sport-Camper. It scales the fundamental truth of Active Flow Control: Energy can replace runway length. By integrating turboprop power with a 36-person tandem-style cabin, I eliminated the need for massive airport infrastructure, enabling a new era of point-to-point regional transport.