Lots of interest, that great.

Any discussion about VTOL is likely to include the crackpots and investment fraud schemes such as Moller. I feared that.

That is why I proposed what I think may be a more practical goal, a gradual improvement in increments.

There are plenty of aircraft in the speed range of 28mph and faster. But nothing practical in the speed range of 15 to 28mph. A true hover is not really needed, so why start with a VTOL and fail?

Dave,
I meant, start with an existing light design that is optimised for the purpose of adding lift fans in increments for experimenting. Not an off the shelf ultralight. I agree with you, there would be much use for a super STOL bushplane.
There is plenty of room for innovation, the field is wide open for ideas. Nobody has anything in the speed range of 15 to 28mph.

I need a practical powered lift device. I think the small electric motors might be the best because they are instant on or off. Like the RC giant scale planes are using. But I only need a short burst of power and batteries are not good for that. Maybe ultracapacitors?

This is a project for the future, I need to build the optimised airframe first.
BB