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

  • US 9,656,765 B2
  • Filed: 05/02/2016
  • Issued: 05/23/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A copter-mediated method for launching an aircraft into and retrieving an aircraft from wing-borne flight, said method comprising:

  • attaching the aircraft to a rigid first connector of a copter;

    releasing the aircraft into free flight by detaching the aircraft from the rigid first connector of the copter;

    flying the copter above an anchor assembly such that a first portion of a tether attached to both the copter and the anchor assembly extends between the copter and the anchor assembly;

    station-keeping the flying copter generally above the anchor assembly; 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 on the tether that opposes movement of the aircraft.

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