Hi Paul,
  George Lendich said I should introduce myself to you and join your
  rotary discussion group.
  We have been talking about Rotary engines and construction methods for
  the Stratos aircraft I am developing. He said he already wrote to you
  about me.

  A little background about me..(Will keep it brief)
  My father designed an aircraft called the stratos. The original
  aircraft
  flew well, however when he started to produce the aircraft he made a
  second Stratos that had aerodynamic changes that caused a severe
  stall.
  At low altitude it stalled unexpectedly and claimed his life. I have
  the
  original Stratos that I have been back engineering for a while. In six
  months I aim to start building it (once I get a bigger workshop).
  Until
  then I am looking at different construction methods, motors and
  finishing detailed CAD data etc. in preparation to building it. The
  original Stratos was constructed similar to a vari-eze or dragonfly.
  Right now I work for Boeing Australia as an Aero Engineer, I have
  worked
  on many aircraft professionally F35 variants, F18C/D, Eurofighter,
  CH300, 777, 787. In disciplines of Concept design, Design for
  manufacture, R+D, Testing.

  I always liked rotaries but haven't until now seen them used in
  private aircraft (besides the one-off). I studied ducted fans in
  detail,
  I don't know - I may/may not have something worthwhile to offer for
  discussion?
  Lastly George has gotten me onto a rotron  axiro 40+hp turbo rotary.
  If those figures are correct i am very impressed - it will extend my
  flight envelope considerably.

  Best Regards
  Ron

Paul,
Ron's Stratos is a ducted fan design, he may be able to help in this area. I
know very little about ducts, but brief discussions with Ron indicated he
knew quite a lot.
George (down under)

Ducted fans are fine for low speed. As speed increases the drag of the duct
itself starts to affect the over all efficiency. Dozens of ducted fan airplanes
have been designed and built and all have failed as viable aircraft. There is no
way around it except remove the duct. Any object or surface you put in the air stream
WILL increase the drag. Even powered parachutes don't use ducts.

If you want good low speed performance use a larger diameter propeller. A helicopter
is a good example. Taken to it ultimate conclusion you have a VTOL or tilt rotor.

http://www.rotaryeng.net/VTOL.html

Paul Lamar