A modular wing in ground effect vehicle has a fuselage which receives interchangeable cockpit and component modules and may accept a variety of snap-on wing styles and control surfaces for various flying conditions and pilot skill levels. When depleted or due for repairs, modules containing stored energy components or machinery subject to wear or periodic maintenance may be exchanged for fresh units so that a vehicle requiring such an exchange may be returned to service quickly and conveniently.

A ground effect craft having a ground effect wing, a plurality of sponsons, and a control system is disclosed. The ground effect wing may include a fore ground effect wing and an aft ground effect wing. The ground effect wing may generate a stabilizing moment on at least one sponson to stabilize the ground effect craft. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to the body. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to each other. The dynamic coupling may permit the sponsons to move relatively independent of the body and each other, thereby stabilizing the ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a stabilizing wing.

A flying vehicle comprising a wing ship body having a pair of wing spars secured thereto; and a plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the flying vehicle. A method for folding or collapsing the wings of a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship comprising providing a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship having a pair of wings, and folding the wings toward and against the body of the wing-in-ground-effect wing ship. A fabric covered wing folding assembly including a pair of wings with each wing having a wing spar and covered by a fabric. A plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies is disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the aircraft. A method is provided for folding or collapsing the wings of an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of providing a cable connected assembly and a cable release mechanism coupled to the body of an aircraft; and providing a fabric covering the wings of the aircraft. The fabric includes diagonal weaved fibers used to maintain positioning of assembly. The method further comprises releasing a fabric connection to allow the collapsing, and wrinkling of the fabric when the cable is released.

A flying vehicle comprising a wing ship body having a pair of wing spars secured thereto; and a plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the flying vehicle. A method for folding or collapsing the wings of a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship comprising providing a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship having a pair of wings, and folding the wings toward and against the body of the wing-in-ground-effect wing ship. A fabric covered wing folding assembly including a pair of wings with each wing having a wing spar and covered by a fabric. A plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies is disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the aircraft. A method is provided for folding or collapsing the wings of an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of providing a cable connected assembly and a cable release mechanism coupled to the body of an aircraft; and providing a fabric covering the wings of the aircraft. The fabric includes diagonal weaved fibers used to maintain positioning of assembly. The method further comprises releasing a fabric connection to allow the collapsing, and wrinkling of the fabric when the cable is released.

A method for providing autonomous and semi-autonomous navigation of a vehicle over water, comprising the steps of: receiving data in the form of buoy water state data and vehicle sensor data, computing a mean wave and water height in a path of the vehicle, computing a mean theoretical water height from the buoy water state data and setting it as a base datum; generating 3D curves from the received data, converting the 3D curves into 2D planar point data, determining wave peaks from maximum amplitude point data of the 2D planar point data, generating 3D wave apex data from the wave peaks, predicting wave height peaks based on current buoy water state data, generating flight parameters using the received data, the 3D wave apex data and the predicted wave height peaks, generating vehicle flight control commands, and adjusting the flight control commands.

A method for providing autonomous and semi-autonomous navigation of a vehicle over water, comprising the steps of: receiving data in the form of buoy water state data and vehicle sensor data, computing a mean wave and water height in a path of the vehicle, computing a mean theoretical water height from the buoy water state data and setting it as a base datum; generating 3D curves from the received data, converting the 3D curves into 2D planar point data, determining wave peaks from maximum amplitude point data of the 2D planar point data, generating 3D wave apex data from the wave peaks, predicting wave height peaks based on current buoy water state data, generating flight parameters using the received data, the 3D wave apex data and the predicted wave height peaks, generating vehicle flight control commands, and adjusting the flight control commands.

The present lift generating fuselage (1) for aircraft mainly comprises of: a novel aerofoil shaped fuselage (1A); or a novel aerofoil shaped fuselage body (2); and integral webs (3); or a novel aerofoil shaped fuselage body (2); integral webs (3) and overhead central wing (4).

A three stage watercraft for operation in the water as a traditional boat at low speeds in stage one, for operation on the water's surface at mid-range speeds at stage two, and for traveling in ground effect at higher range speeds is disclosed. The three stage craft includes a hydro-wing 12, at least a single hydrofoil 13 to aid with lift from stage one to stage two, and a pair of outboard floats or hydro-floats 16a, 16b supported by the hydro-wing 12, which are also designed to aid with lift from stage one to stage two. A gyration rotor 14 to aid with lift from stage one to stage two may also be provided as may a pair of pivotally mounted air propellers which aid in lift and propulsion by varying their operational angle relative to the plane of travel of the craft.

A three stage watercraft for operation in the water as a traditional boat at low speeds in stage one, for operation on the water's surface at mid-range speeds at stage two, and for traveling in ground effect at higher range speeds is disclosed. The three stage craft includes a hydro-wing 12, either at least a single hydrofoil 13 or gyration rotor 14 to aid with lift from stage one to stage two, and a pair of outboard floats or hydro-floats 16a, 16b supported by the hydro-wing 12, which are also designed to aid with lift from stage one to stage two.

A three stage watercraft for operation in the water as a traditional boat at low speeds in stage one, for operation on the water's surface at mid-range speeds at stage two, and for traveling in ground effect at higher range speeds is disclosed. The three stage craft includes a hydro-wing 12, either at least a single hydrofoil 13 or gyration rotor 14 to aid with lift from stage one to stage two, and a pair of outboard floats or hydro-floats 16a, 16b supported by the hydro-wing 12, which are also designed to aid with lift from stage one to stage two.