Hood Technology Corporation

Aerovel Corporation

Aeroval Corporation

Corydon C Roeseler

Andreas Hubertus Von Flotow

Daniel Pepin Reiss

Caleb Andrew Woodruff

Brian Theodore McGeer

Jessie Massong

Benjamin T Ketler

Benjamin Lewit

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system includes a modular multicopter, a storage and launch system, an anchor system, a flexible capture member, and an aircraft-landing structure. The multicopter is attachable to the fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launching the fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight. The storage and launch system is usable to store the multicopter (when disassembled) and to act as a launch mount for the fixed-wing aircraft by retaining the fixed-wing aircraft in a desired launch orientation. The anchor system is usable with the multicopter, the flexible capture member, and the aircraft-landing structure to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight.

Rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

An aircraft launch apparatus including a bottom attachment assembly configured to receive a fixed wing aircraft, the bottom attachment assembly including a saddle movable between an open position and a locked position, the saddle including one or more front engagers and one or more rear engagers configured to engage the fixed-wing aircraft, the one or more front engagers are each configured to engage a top and a bottom of a respective wing of the fixed-wing aircraft; a plurality of landing legs connected to the bottom attachment assembly; and a top attachment assembly connected to the bottom attachment assembly and configured to receive a flexible member.

Rotorcraft-assisted system for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

A rotorcraft-assisted system configured to launch a fixed-wing aircraft into flight comprising a fixed-wing aircraft and an aircraft launch apparatus where the aircraft launch apparatus comprises a mechanism for attaching the rotorcraft to the fixed-wing aircraft, such as a saddle that removably engages the wing or wings of the fixed-wing aircraft.

The present disclosure describes various systems, devices, and methods configured to retrieve a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member and a monopole assembly.

Aircraft retrieval system and method

The present disclosure presents various embodiments of a system for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member. The system includes a GPS reference sensor and a communication link to guide the fixed-wing aircraft to intercept the flexible capture member.

Multicopter-assisted systems and methods for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a parasail-assisted system for launching a fixed-wing aircraft into free flight and for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight.

Apparatus and method for launching a fixed-wing aircraft into free flight

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an aircraft retrieval system including winch-equipped retrieval assembly that is removably attachable to a rotorcraft to facilitate retrieval of a fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

Aircraft-retrieval system

Parasail-assisted systems and methods for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

The present disclosure describes various systems and methods configured to: launch a fixed-wing aircraft from a moving object into free, wing-borne flight using a multicopter; retrieve the multicopter after fixed-wing aircraft launch using a retrieval winch; retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight back onto the moving object using the multicopter; and retrieve the multicopter after fixed-wing aircraft retrieval using the retrieval winch.

Rotorcraft-assisted systems and methods for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

Multicopter-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a helicopter-mediated system and method for launching and retrieving an aircraft capable of long-distance efficient cruising flight from a small space without the use of a long runway.

Helicopter-mediated system and method for launching and retrieving an aircraft

A rotorcraft-assisted launch and retrieval system, and a method for controlling an airborne rotorcraft which includes controlling by a controller a first feedback loop about a longitudinal roll axis of the airborne rotorcraft and controlling by the controller a second feedback loop about a horizontal pitch axis of the airborne rotorcraft, without controlling a vertical yaw axis of the airborne rotorcraft.

Rotorcraft-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft

A rotorcraft-assisted system for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight. The launch and retrieval system is usable with a rotorcraft to launch a fixed-wing aircraft into free, wing-borne flight and to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight.

Growing community of inventors

Hood River, OR, United States of America

Corydon C Roeseler