×

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

  • US 9,359,075 B1
  • Filed: 01/15/2015
  • Issued: 06/07/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A helicopter-mediated method for retrieving an aircraft from wing-borne flight, said method comprising:

  • flying a helicopter above an anchor assembly such that a first portion of a tether connected to both the helicopter and the anchor assembly extends between the helicopter and the anchor assembly;

    station-keeping the helicopter generally above the anchor assembly;

    measuring tension in the first portion of the tether and, when the measured tension in the first portion of the tether is not substantially equal to a designated tension, moving the helicopter relative to the anchor assembly until the measured tension in the first portion of the tether is substantially equal to the designated tension; and

    contacting and capturing a part of the first portion of the tether extending between the tether and the anchor assembly with the aircraft, thereby causing the anchor assembly to pay out a second portion of the tether and impose a resistive force opposing movement of the aircraft.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×