Hi IFMU,
Why then does a long-ez or other canard fixed wing work? Or is it because the propeller is aligned with the wing, and therefore strips an equal amount of sink above the wing as the amount of lift it is stripping out below the wing?
Both the canard and the HS provide an aerodynamic upward pitch on the craft, which offsets the moment from the CG that is located ahead of the main wing's center of lift.
A canard creates a lift at the front of an airplane, whereas a horizontal stabilizer creates a downward force at the rear of an airplane. In other words, the canard is a contributor to the overall lift on the craft.
It appears that the centerline of the Long-ez's propeller is above the chord of the wing. I would speculate that this 'elevated' propeller would tend to increase the velocity of the air that is passing over the top of the wing in relationship to the air that is passing under the wing. This should also enhance the lift.
As a conventional helicopter moves forward, does the relative wind push the lift out from under the blades?
Using 'ground cushion' as an example, I would say yes.
During the transition from hover to forward flight, the helicopter will at some velocity "run off of the ground cushion". Logic suggests that if a tractor propeller was operational at this time it would contribute to the stripping of this 'ground cushion' from under the rotors.
Dave