HELICOPTER-MEDIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVING AN AIRCRAFT
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Abstract
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.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A helicopter-mediated method for launching an aircraft into wing-borne flight, said method comprising:
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mechanically coupling the helicopter and the aircraft to one another via a single-point coupling system; after the helicopter and the aircraft have been mechanically coupled to one another, hoisting the aircraft using the helicopter; bringing the aircraft to a designated air speed using the helicopter; and thereafter, decoupling the helicopter and the aircraft from one another, thereby releasing the aircraft into wing-borne flight. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A helicopter-mediated system for launching an aircraft, said system comprising:
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a helicopter; the aircraft; and a single-point coupling system configured to mechanically couple the helicopter and the aircraft to one another. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification