11 Hybrid Fixed-Wing/VTOL UAV Advantages & Disadvantages

The hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL configuration is a type of aircraft that blends together the two most popular types of designs used in drones in one model.

These two designs are of course the fixed-wing and the rotary-wing UAV configurations.

5 Hybrid Fixed-Wing/VTOL Drone (UAV) Advantages

These types of drones are still being manufactured today as they have several strong advantages making them very useful in several situations.

Here are 5 hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAV advantages:

• They can hover in place for extended periods of time
• They can cruise for long periods of time
• They can fly at high speeds
• They can cover large areas
• They drastically increase the potential applications of a UAV

Why can hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs hover in place for extended periods of time?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can hover in place for extended periods of time as they have vertical facing propellers which are either activated or are rotated vertically in flight.

In order to hover, they use the rotary-wing configuration.

VTOL stands for vertical takeoff and landing and includes any vehicle capable of doing so.

Some types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL drones can activate these fixed vertical propellers (quadplanes) and some can rotate them allowing them to use the proprotors for horizontal and vertical flight (tail-sitter UAVs, tilt-rotor UAVs and tilt-wing UAVs).

Take note that proprotors are propellers that are used for both vertical and horizontal flight.

They use various powerplants and propulsion devices including batteries, fuel cells (FCs), engines, propellers, powered tethers etc.

Check out our full post where we dive into several power sources currently used in drones. For each power source, we expand on how they work, the different types, the advantages, disadvantages, and real-world examples of drones that use it.

Related Post: How Are Drones Powered? 6 Drone Energy Sources Explained

Why can hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs cruise for long periods of time?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can cruise for long periods of time using their fixed wings which effectively and efficiently manipulate airflow to generate lift.

In order to fly for long periods of time, they use the fixed-wing configuration.

Check out our full post that dives further into how fixed-wing UAVs work, the differences between fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAVs, fixed-wing drone applications, some parts/components that make them up, powerplants they use and some real examples:

Related Post: What Are Fixed-Wing Drones/UAVs? Everything You Need To Know

Using the fixed-wing configuration enables them to use a lot less fuel while staying aloft for a much longer period of time than if they only used the rotary-wing configuration.

How can hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs fly at high speeds?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can fly at high airspeeds using their entire body (fuselage, wings, empennage) which is designed in a way that generates the least drag while providing optimum performance.

In order to reach high airspeeds, they have to use the fixed-wing configuration as fixed-wing aircraft need forward speed/momentum in order to fly which means that manufacturers are designing them for speed.

This plays into why they’re so much faster than rotary-wing drones which need (a) fast-spinning rotor/s just to stay aloft and fly around.

Check out our post that explains all fixed-wing UAV advantages and disadvantages:

Related Post: 11 Fixed-Wing Drone/UAV Advantages+Disadvantages Explained

How can hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs cover large areas?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can cover large areas as they have efficient wings which act as airfoils to help the vehicle partially glide through the air enabling them to cover long distances.

To cover large areas, they typically are going to use the fixed-wing configuration.

The way they generate lift mixed with an effective propulsion and communication system enable the drones to have long ranges.

Having a large coverage area is beneficial for any type of mission that requires the UAV to travel long distances in one go.

Check out our post on several fixed-wing UAV applications where we explain what each is, how fixed-wing drones are used in them, how they’re beneficial typically over manned aircraft, and some real examples/concepts if there are any:

Related Post: 12 Awesome Fixed-Wing Drone/UAV Applications Explained

How can hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL drones drastically increase the potential applications of a UAV?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can drastically increase the potential applications of an aerial drone as they combine two different configurations along with their benefits and use cases into one efficient and effective model.

Previously, an organisation, individual, or even government agency would need to decide on one of two basic configurations used in most drones according to how they would want to use the UAV and what they would want it to be able to accomplish.

These would typically include the basic fixed-wing or rotary-wing designs, each having its own strengths and weaknesses which could either appeal to or repel these potential buyers.

Check out our full post on what rotary-wing drones/UAVs are where we dive into how they work, their types, applications, parts/components, advantages/disadvantages, common powerplants and examples:

Related Post: What Are Rotary-Wing UAVs? Unmanned Rotorcraft Explained

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs have eliminated the difficult choice between choosing one or the other, instead providing an alternative that appeals to customers seeking features found in both types of drones.

6 Hybrid Fixed-Wing/VTOL Drone (UAV) Disadvantages

The hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL configuration also has its drawbacks which each give good reason as to why they may not be the best pick for an individual.

Here are 6 hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAV disadvantages:

• They are very expensive
• They are often not as stable or as controllable as the basic fixed-wing or rotary-wing configurations
• They are not as efficient as either the basic fixed-wing or rotary-wing configurations
• The transition between vertical to horizontal flight is often very difficult to perfect
• The transition between vertical to horizontal flight requires the UAV to have reached a suitable altitude
• The transition mechanism can negatively affect the drone’s performance

Why are hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs expensive?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are very expensive due to the production and maintenance costs of their often complex mechanisms allowing them to smoothly and safely transition between vertical to horizontal flight.

These mechanisms are made up of several parts and components which need to be custom made depending on the type of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL drone.

Tilt-rotor UAVs need the mechanism enabling the rotors fixed to the end of the drone’s wings to rotate and tilt-wing UAVs need the mechanism enabling the whole wing to rotate.

Check out our full post on the types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs:

Related Post: Types Of Hybrid Fixed-Wing/VTOL UAVs Explained (+Pictures)

With any complex technology comes constant maintenance to ensure it stays functioning which takes time and often costs a large amount of money for each service.

Why are hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs often not as stable or controllable?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are often not as stable or as controllable as the basic fixed-wing or rotary-wing configuration as each of these configurations hone the way they function whereas hybrids attempt to combine both flight modes into one.

Having an unmanned aircraft blend two different flight modes into one model introduces many unforeseen challenges that can make it nearly impossible to correct depending on many factors.

These challenges may be in the form of performance for the vehicle. This may include stability and/or control issues.

This does not mean that all hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs are not as stable or controllable as the basic configurations, but it does mean that manufacturers may have to sacrifice a few features that the basic configurations have.

Why are hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs often not as efficient?

Hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are often not as efficient as the basic fixed-wing or rotary-wing configuration due to factors such as the added weight or reduced performance caused by the complex transition system.

This applies to all types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs as each has extra features added to them in order to make the transition from vertical to horizontal flight and vice versa.

These transition mechanisms (applies to tilt-rotor and tilt-wing) or simply the added rotors (applies to quadplanes and tail-sitters UAVs) for vertical flight add extra weight and stability issues which will almost always negatively affect performance.

This may force the drone to use more energy and increase drag which reduces flight time, and may also be dangerous for the UAV if it is expected to perform at a certain capacity but instead underperforms.

Why is the transition between vertical to horizontal flight very difficult to perfect?

The transition between vertical to horizontal flight is very difficult to perfect as there can be no faults in the transition mechanism and the timing needs to be perfect. The factors that need to be taken into account include natural factors and added payloads.

Any miscalculation in the programming can make it very dangerous for the drone as for each transition, the UAV will inevitably lose a certain amount of speed and stability.

Any fault in the transition mechanism can cause serious issues for the drone in flight which is the primary reason maintaining these mechanisms is so important.

Other natural factors such as wind conditions or rain can further introduce new issues that may not have been planned for.

This is the primary reason these types of UAVs have not been adopted by most.

Why does the transition between vertical to horizontal flight have altitude limitations?

The transition between vertical to horizontal flight requires the UAV to have reached a suitable height as hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs typically lose quite a bit of altitude during transition.

The amount of altitude they lose will primarily depend on the weight of the UAV and the way they transition.

Tail-sitter UAVs are not going to lose much altitude if none at all as they are able to maintain a certain speed and transition by changing the angle of attack during flight like a guided missile.

However, all other types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs will typically lose a calculated altitude during the transition period.

Quadplanes will typically activate their horizontal facing propellers to gain some horizontal speed and once a certain speed is attained, they will deactivate their vertical facing propellers and thus convert to the fixed-wing configuration.

Check out our full post on quadplanes where we explain how they work, applications, advantages/disadvantages, and examples:

Related Post: What Are Quadplanes? Hybrid Fixed-Wing/VTOL UAVs Explained

Tilt-rotor and tilt-wing UAVs rotate their proprotors during flight in order to make the transition. These types are most prone to high altitude drops during the transition.

How can the transition mechanism negatively affect the drone’s performance?

The transition mechanism used in some types of hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can negatively affect performance as they can severely increase the weight of the drone and negatively impact its stability.

These mechanisms (which are primarily used in tilt-rotor UAVs and tilt-wing UAVs) are often quite complex and need to work in tandem with the rest of the parts and components of the UAV.

The complexity of the part often means its weight also increases. Weight can not only affect the flight time of the drone, but it can also affect the stability and controllability of the drone.

Quadplanes are going to have additional vertical facing propellers which can have similar negative effects on performance.

Conclusion

There are more drawbacks to benefits which is a leading reason as to why these types of aircraft are not yet more widely used. This will change as time goes on and technology evolves.

This fairly new configuration has revolutionised what we believed a drone could achieve, broadening the scope and effectiveness of these aerial robots and further impacting our lives.

We highly recommend you check out our main article on what hybrid fixed-wing/VTOL UAVs are to learn more about these types of drones.