A method of delivering heavy payload using an autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.

A method of delivering heavy payload using an autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.

According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method for determining angle-of-attack for an unpowered vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: determining a monotonic portion of a look-up curve of an angle-of-attack operating plot; during flight, determining, by an accelerometer disposed on the unpowered vehicle, first and second accelerometer outputs, where the first and second accelerometer outputs correspond to first and second body-fixed load factor measurements, respectively; determining an operating point on the monotonic portion by applying a quotient of the first and second accelerometer outputs to the angle-of-attack operating plot; and determining an angle-of-attack parameter corresponding to the determined operating point.

According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method for determining angle-of-attack for an unpowered vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: determining a monotonic portion of a look-up curve of an angle-of-attack operating plot; during flight, determining, by an accelerometer disposed on the unpowered vehicle, first and second accelerometer outputs, where the first and second accelerometer outputs correspond to first and second body-fixed load factor measurements, respectively; determining an operating point on the monotonic portion by applying a quotient of the first and second accelerometer outputs to the angle-of-attack operating plot; and determining an angle-of-attack parameter corresponding to the determined operating point.

A fixed-wing flying apparatus, aircraft, airplane or device is provided which is capable of stably gliding in more than one direction such as backwards, frontward or sideways. The device comprises a plurality of wings arranged around the center of area and defining a space therebetween. Each wing includes an outwardly protruding wall along an outer edge of the wing, which disrupts airflow over the wing flying in front so it is less effective than the wing flying behind, facilitating temporary or long term sustainable speed-seeking glide stability in more than one forward direction without any trim or center of gravity adjustment. The plurality of wings can include two wings, three wings forming a triangle, or four wings forming a square or rectangle. The aircraft can be unpowered, powered, free-flight or controlled. A one-front airplane can also be constructed with very relaxed yaw stability.

A fixed-wing flying apparatus, aircraft, airplane or device is provided which is capable of stably gliding in more than one direction such as backwards, frontward or sideways. The device comprises a plurality of wings arranged around the center of area and defining a space therebetween. Each wing includes an outwardly protruding wall along an outer edge of the wing, which disrupts airflow over the wing flying in front so it is less effective than the wing flying behind, facilitating temporary or long term sustainable speed-seeking glide stability in more than one forward direction without any trim or center of gravity adjustment. The plurality of wings can include two wings, three wings forming a triangle, or four wings forming a square or rectangle. The aircraft can be unpowered, powered, free-flight or controlled. A one-front airplane can also be constructed with very relaxed yaw stability.

A flight assembly and glider possessing bilateral, flexible, and collapsible wings and associated method of flight are provided. The flight assembly may include a central frame that may encapsulate a human operator. A wing frame may include at least a pair of wings that couple to the central frame, wherein each wing may include one or more pivotal connections. To control the extension and retraction of the pair of wings, a control lever network may be incorporated within the central frame and the wing frame. The control lever network may include wing sail deployment, flight deceleration and parachute wing conversion features.

A flight assembly and glider possessing bilateral, flexible, and collapsible wings and associated method of flight are provided. The flight assembly may include a central frame that may encapsulate a human operator. A wing frame may include at least a pair of wings that couple to the central frame, wherein each wing may include one or more pivotal connections. To control the extension and retraction of the pair of wings, a control lever network may be incorporated within the central frame and the wing frame. The control lever network may include wing sail deployment, flight deceleration and parachute wing conversion features.

A heavy payload, autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.

A heavy payload, autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.