An aircraft retrieval device is configured to retrieve a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member and a monopole assembly. The flexible capture member is couplable to a lifting device, such as a rotorcraft, crane, boom or parachute, on a first end. The lifting device serves to raise the first end of the flexible capture member to a predetermined height. A tensioning device is couplable to a second end of the flexible capture member. A monopole assembly permits the flexible capture member to extendable longitudinally through the monopole assembly. Outrigger supports extend from a base area of the monopole assembly. An upper guiding component guides the flexible capture member at an area where the flexible member exits an upper end of the monopole assembly. The present arrangement avoids the need for fixed-wing aircraft to use long runways to take-off and land.
La présente invention concerne divers systèmes, dispositifs et procédés permettant de récupérer un aéronef à voilure fixe évoluant en vol libre au moyen d'un élément de capture flexible et d'un ensemble unipolaire.
AIRCRAFT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD
SYSTEME ET PROCEDE DE RECUPERATION D'AERONEF
2020-11-26
Patent
Electronic Resource
English