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Apparatus, system, and method for flying an aircraft

  • US 10,279,902 B2
  • Filed: 09/29/2014
  • Issued: 05/07/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An aircraft launch system, comprising:

  • a riser coupleable to an aircraft, the aircraft comprising at least one first thrust generator configured to generate a first upward lift on the aircraft and the riser comprising;

    an actuator; and

    a tether coupled to the actuator; and

    a sky crane coupled to the tether, wherein the sky crane is configured to generate a second upward lift on the sky crane to lift the sky crane above the aircraft and to provide a downward drag to resist downward motion of the sky crane when lifted above the aircraft, wherein the sky crane comprises one of a rigid wing, a parafoil, or a lighter-than-air flotation device;

    wherein the actuator is operable to retract the tether and draw together the sky crane and the aircraft during a take-off while the at least one first thrust generator generates the first upward lift on the aircraft and while at least one of the second upward lift is generated or the downward drag is provided;

    wherein the first upward lift is less than a total weight of the aircraft and the second upward lift is less than the total weight of the aircraft; and

    wherein a sum of the first upward lift and at least one of the second upward lift or the downward drag is greater than a combined weight of the aircraft, the riser, and the sky crane.

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