A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) light aircraft comprising: a tilt-wing comprising port and starboard wings; a power train having: an electric motor coupled to a rotor for providing the aircraft with thrust for flight mounted to each of the port and starboard wings; a battery configured to store electric energy to power the electric motors; an electric generator; and a combustion engine configured to drive the generator to produce electric energy for storage in the battery; and a controller configured to autonomously control the tilt-wing and power train to provide VTOL takeoffs and landing having relatively short hover periods.