Lift augmentation system for aircraft

In a fixed wing aircraft having a fuselage, empennage, elongated lift producing wing and engines for producing thrust in a directly aft direction for moving said aircraft forward, the improvement comprising:

• at least one generally horizontal propeller set into a generally partially circular cut-out in the aft edge of each of the right and left half of said wing;
• drive means for rotating each of said horizontal propellers;
• housings secured to said wing and supporting each of said drive means and horizontal propellers;
• and
• means at each horizontal propeller hub for selectively tilting said horizontal propeller in any direction.

The method of augmenting lift in an aircraft having an elongated lift producing wing, a fuselage and at least one flight engine producing thrust directly aft of said aircraft which comprises:

• forming at least one partially circular cut-out in the aft edge of each of the right and left halves of the wing;
• mounting a housing supporting a generally horizontal propeller and drive means on said wing with said horizontal propeller closely spaced to the edges of said cut-out;
• rotating said horizontal propellers to augment air flow over said wing and also provide direct vertical thrust;
• and
• tilting said propeller in any selected direction while said propellers are rotated.