The x3 has a five-bladed main rotor and a pair of propellers on two short wings.

ECONOMIST: Chop, chop

This means it can hover like a helicopter, but when flying forwards can reduce the speed of the main rotor and let the wings provide part of the lift.

ECONOMIST: Chop, chop

It included the black box flight recorder, the fuselage with the engines and rotor gearbox attached, the separated rotor head with the main rotor blades still attached, and the separated tail.

BBC: Crash report urges safety checks

It derives its name from the two rotating systems that are the basis of the design: the main engine at its base, which will put it into orbit, and the rotor on top, which will enable it to touch down gently.

ECONOMIST: On a rotor-blade and a prayer | The