convertiplane

or con·vert·a·plane, con·vert·o·plane

[ kuhn-vur-tuh-pleyn ]

noun

1. an airplane capable of both vertical flight like a helicopter and fast, forward speed like a conventional airplane.

convertiplane

/ kənˈvɜːtəˌpleɪn /

noun

1. an aircraft that can land and take off vertically by temporarily directing its propulsive thrust downwards

Word History and Origins

Origin of convertiplane¹

First recorded in 1945–50; convert ¹ + -i- + plane ¹

Example Sentences

Both military and civilian aircraft users have long demanded a helicopter-airplane hybrid: a "convertiplane" that can take off vertically like a helicopter and fly as fast and as economically as an airplane.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week McDonnell Aircraft Corp. showed its XV1 convertiplane, a joint Army-Air Force project designed to sidestep many of the difficulties.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then air and fuel are cut off, and the rotor idles freely while a pusher propeller flies the convertiplane like an ordinary airplane.

From Time Magazine Archive

Army's Bell XV3 Convertiplane, a winged aircraft that can alternate between vertical and horizontal flight, made its first flight at Fort Worth, Texas.

From Time Magazine Archive

Deputy to the Under Secretary of the Army Frank H. Higgins hailed Bell's convertiplane, the XV-3,* as a possible answer to the Army's air requirements.

From Time Magazine Archive