Expert: Paul Soderman - 8/26/2009

Question
Hello, I have a question about flying saucers.

Are flying Saucers that actually work makeable? Could enginners possibly make a flying saucer that works? Do we have that kinds of technology? If aeronautical engineers could make one, how would it work? Do you think they might exist now? But not from another planet I mean.

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Yes, engineers can and do build flying saucers.  Paul Moller of U.C. Davis has a company that designs and develops VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, one of which is a flying saucer:

http://daviswiki.org/Moller_International

It is powered by eight lift fans, lift fans being the common solution for this type of aircraft.  I see that Moller's latest design looks more like a conventional aircraft, though there is nothing conventional about VTOL performance.  I have also seen a French robotic flying saucer powered by a single propeller.  All these vehicles rely on a vertical thrust devices to get lift.  Like a helicopter, forward flight is created by tilting the thrust axis.  I assume the big problem with flying saucers is getting sufficient thrust and endurance to carry a payload a decent range.  It is hard to beat a helicopter at that.  A saucer geometry packed with lift fans doesn't have a lot of space for payload other than the center section where the pilot would sit.
Paul