The AD-1 aircraft was a unique airplane with an oblique wing that could pivot if needed. The idea of an oblique wing, which is a type of wing that can change shape, was first thought of in the 1940s but was never put into practice. In the 1970s, an aeronautical engineer named Robert T. Jones at NASA’s Ames Research Center took interest in the idea and started testing it.
He discovered that an aircraft with an oblique wing would have better performance at supersonic speeds, be more fuel-efficient, and have a quieter take-off and sonic boom. With these findings, Robert got funding for the project and teamed up with aerospace engineer Burt Rutan to build the AD-1.
The AD-1 was made from fiberglass and weighed only 1,500 pounds. It had two small jet engines and a short landing gear to reduce drag. The oblique wing was in front of the engines and on top of the fuselage. For take-off and landing, the wing was set perpendicular to the plane, but once the aircraft reached a certain speed, the wing could be pivoted up to 60 degrees.
The first flight of the AD-1 took place on December 21, 1979. The pilot, Thomas C. McMurtry, was nervous about how the aircraft would fly, but it turned out to be successful as long as the wing was not offset more than 50 degrees. The flight confirmed Robert Jones’ research and showed the benefits of the oblique wing. However, despite the positive results, no company has chosen to use this type of wing because it is very complex.
The AD-1 was a unique and innovative aircraft with an oblique wing that showed promising results. Although it was not put into commercial use, it paved the way for future developments in aeronautical technology.