An aircraft landing gear component having first and second base members, separated along a first longitudinal axis, a plurality of first parallel hoops, each first hoop lying along the first longitudinal axis and aligned in a plane oriented at a first non-zero angle to the first longitudinal axis, and a plurality of second parallel hoops, each second hoop lying along the first longitudinal axis and aligned in a plane oriented at a second non-zero angle to the first longitudinal axis, the second non-zero angle being different from the first non-zero angle, wherein each of the first hoops intersects with and is fixed to at least one of the second hoops, and wherein each of the second hoops intersects with and is fixed to at least one of the first hoops, such that the first and second hoops form a rigid structure extending between the first and second base members.

Systems, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products that facilitate measuring weight and balance and optimizing center of gravity are provided. In one embodiment, a system 100 utilizes a processor 106 that executes computer implemented components stored in a memory 104. A compression component 108 calculates compression of landing gear struts based on height above ground of an aircraft. A gravity component 110 determines center of gravity based on differential compression of the landing gear struts. An optimization component 112 automatically optimizes the center of gravity to a rear limit of a center of gravity margin.

A torque link assembly for a landing gear includes a lower torque link and an upper torque link that releasably engage first and second quick release pin assemblies. The pin assemblies each include a housing attached to one of the torque links, and a locking pin member extending through the housing. The locking pin member includes a rod portion and a pin portion, and is slidable between an engaged position and a disengaged position for hingedly connecting/disconnecting the torque links. One of the housing and the locking pin member includes a channel having a longitudinal portion and a circumferential portion, and the other has a guide pin that engages the channel. The guide pin is in the longitudinal portion of the channel when moving between the engaged and disengaged positions, and is retained in the disengaged position when the guide pin is in the circumferential portion of the channel.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

An aircraft landing gear assembly includes a main fitting comprising having a main barrel and a cross beam fixedly positioned relative to the main barrel and extending radially from the main barrel. The main fitting further includes a drag arm with a first end pivotally coupled to the cross beam by a first pivotal connection and a second end pivotally coupled to the main barrel by a second pivotal connection.