Jamers Cameron’s Avatar opens this week, with trailers featuring some funny-looking aircraft that resemble helicopters, but with ducted fans instead of the traditional rotor blades. While there are no full-size aircraft employing this technology, it’s already in use on small unmanned drones. And it has distinct advantages over the older approach.

Last month, an Australian company, Cyber Technology (WA) Pty Ltd, used a drone with ducted fans in an actual operation. Their Cyber Quad vertical take-off drone carried out an extended survey of an offshore drilling platform and an oil rig damaged by fire. The drone flew around, under and inside the two structures, which are joined by a gantry, as well as landing on them for a better look.

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