A flying apparatus includes a main structure and a rotative wing surface, the rotation of the wing surface allowing stabilizing the apparatus (100). A fuselage hangs from the wing surface around a hanging point, allowing the wing surface and the fuselage be moveable independently with respect to each other and the wing surface is configured as a disc to manoeuvre the apparatus and including one or more elements acting as security and secondary command and control surfaces, orienting the apparatus in desired directions. The main structure and wing surface can overwrap at least partially the the fuselage in order to improve the aerodynamic performance. The airframe or fuselage and the wing surface are rotatable around any of three rotational axes independently.

A coaxial rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a mast, a top rotor assembly and a bottom rotor assembly. The top rotor assembly is coupled to the distal end of the mast. The bottom rotor assembly includes a motor configured to provide rotational energy to the mast, thereby rotating the top rotor assembly. The bottom rotor assembly experiences a torque reaction force responsive to the motor rotating the mast such that the top and bottom rotor assemblies counter rotate.

A coaxial rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a mast, a top rotor assembly and a bottom rotor assembly. The top rotor assembly is coupled to the distal end of the mast. The bottom rotor assembly includes a motor configured to provide rotational energy to the mast, thereby rotating the top rotor assembly. The bottom rotor assembly experiences a torque reaction force responsive to the motor rotating the mast such that the top and bottom rotor assemblies counter rotate.

A system and method for automatically estimating a speed of an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft includes a determining module to determine at least one quantity which is representative of a force exerted on at least one control surface of the aircraft, a calculating module to calculate at least one speed of the aircraft and a transmitting module to transmit the one or more speeds of the aircraft which are calculated by the calculating module to a user device. The system makes it possible to estimate a speed of the aircraft without having to use the total pressure.

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft includes an airframe having first and second wings zin a staggerwing configuration with first and second swept pylons extending therebetween. A distributed thrust array is attached to the airframe. The thrust array includes a first plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and a second plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing. A flight control system is coupled to the airframe and is configured to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies. The first plurality of propulsion assemblies is longitudinally offset relative to the second plurality of propulsion assemblies such that rotors of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotate in a different plane than rotors of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies.

A system for modular aircraft includes at least a common component, wherein the at least a common component includes at least a flight component. The system includes at least a modular component, wherein the at least modular component includes at least a fuselage component and a collar component. The system includes at least an interface component, wherein the at least an interface component is configured to connect the at least a common component at a first end to the at least a modular component at a second end.

A system for modular aircraft includes at least a common component, wherein the at least a common component includes at least a flight component. The system includes at least a modular component, wherein the at least modular component includes at least a fuselage component and a collar component. The system includes at least an interface component, wherein the at least an interface component is configured to connect the at least a common component at a first end to the at least a modular component at a second end.

A variable-sweep wing VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aerial vehicle with distributed propulsion adapted for VTOL flight and horizontal flight includes a fuselage, a pair of symmetrical swiveling canards extending outward from forward portion of the fuselage, a pair of first symmetrical wings extending outward from the upper-rear portion of the fuselage and a pair of second symmetrical wings extending outward from the lower-rear portion of the fuselage. The first and second wings are spaced apart longitudinally and vertically. The pylon joins the first wing and second wing at the tip to from the box-wing. The wings can transition between VTOL mode or airplane mode. The wings are mounted with rotors for propulsion. Moreover, at the trailing edge of the wings, the blown flap work as blown lift system for both VTOL flight or STOL flight. Finally, the fuselage mounted pusher rotor provides propulsive thrust for horizontal flight.

A control surface for an aircraft may comprise an outer skin and a core coupled to the outer skin. The core may include a plurality of corrugations. A height of the core may decrease in a direction extending from a leading edge of the control surface to a trailing edge of the control surface.

A load testing apparatus can include a plurality of vertical load structures arranged on a flight control surface to provide torque on the control surface and reacted by a control rod of the flight control surface. The load testing apparatus can also include a plurality of fore/aft load structures arranged to provide tensile and/or compressive force in a direction intersecting a hinge line of the flight control surface. Each of the plurality of fore/aft load structure can include a first rubber pad having a surface extending in a first plane that is arranged to contact a lower surface of the flight control surface. Each of the plurality of fore/aft load structures can also include a first rubber pad having a surface extending in a second plane that is arranged to contact an upper surface of the flight control surface, wherein the first plane and the second plane are non-parallel planes.