Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee
Hiller Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1955 · helicopter
The Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee was an extraordinary experimental one-man flying platform in which the pilot stood atop a circular ducted-fan assembly and controlled flight by shifting body weight. It was developed under a US Army contract to explore personal VTOL mobility.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 1.83 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pilot stands inside a ducted fan platform
- Circular flying platform concept
- One-man VTOL personal lift device
Completely unlike any other aircraft — a circular open platform with the pilot standing upright in the center, propelled by hidden ducted fans beneath the deck.
Specifications
- The Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee has a length of 1.83 m (6 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 1.52 m (5 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 26 km/h (16 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1955, the VZ-1 used two co-axial contra-rotating rotors enclosed in a circular duct; the pilot's weight-shift provided directional control. Several prototypes were built and extensively tested, but the concept proved too slow and limited for military use.
Variants
An enlarged Pawnee II variant was tested but the program was cancelled in the early 1960s due to performance limitations.
Where you'll see it
Remained experimental throughout; the US Army ultimately did not adopt the design for operational use.
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