A variable drag area tow system including a tow cable, and a variable drag area device having a variable projected area, the variable drag area device is configured to have a smaller projected area as the velocity of the variable drag area device with respect to a fluid increases. A method of maintaining tension on a tow cable, the method including deploying at a first velocity a variable drag area device having a variable projected area, increasing the first velocity to a second velocity, and decreasing the projected area of the variable drag area device as the first velocity is increased to the second velocity.

A variable drag area tow system including a tow cable, and a variable drag area device having a variable projected area, the variable drag area device is configured to have a smaller projected area as the velocity of the variable drag area device with respect to a fluid increases. A method of maintaining tension on a tow cable, the method including deploying at a first velocity a variable drag area device having a variable projected area, increasing the first velocity to a second velocity, and decreasing the projected area of the variable drag area device as the first velocity is increased to the second velocity.

An apparatus is provided for regulating air pressure in an internal space of an airtight cabin that accommodates living beings (objects) for transport in a flight craft, comprising: a container; and a moveable partition member that airtightly partitions an internal space of the container into a first space open to the internal space of the airtight cabin and a second space closed to both the internal space of the airtight cabin and an external space of the airtight cabin, and that moves in the container under a force generated by a difference between a pressure of gas in the first space and a pressure of gas in the second space while maintaining the airtight partition between the first space and the second space; wherein as the moveable partition member moves it opens and closes a gas transfer path for flow of gas between the internal space of the airtight cabin and the external space of the airtight cabin.

An automated control system for a glider towed by a tug employs a camera mounted on one of the aircraft to view the other (the target). An optical recognition system receives images from the camera and determines the relative range and bearing of the target. A controller determines corrections to the flight characteristics of the glider in response to the range and bearing data from the optical recognition system. An interface to the flight controls of the glider maintains the desired flight characteristics of the glider provided by the controller.

An automated control system for a glider towed by a tug employs a camera mounted on one of the aircraft to view the other (the target). An optical recognition system receives images from the camera and determines the relative range and bearing of the target. A controller determines corrections to the flight characteristics of the glider in response to the range and bearing data from the optical recognition system. An interface to the flight controls of the glider maintains the desired flight characteristics of the glider provided by the controller.

Embodiments of a system for recovery of a target aircraft by a host aircraft, the system including a towline having a proximal section configured to be coupled with the host aircraft and a distal section configured to be paid out from the host aircraft, a fitting coupled with the distal section of the towline, wherein the fitting comprises a housing, a global navigation satellite system receiver (e.g., without limitation, a GPS receiver), and a global navigation satellite system antenna. In some embodiments, when paid out from the host aircraft, the towline is configured to be in a substantially vertical orientation. The system of some embodiments can further include a capture mechanism configured to be coupled with a fuselage of the target aircraft and configured to capture the fitting.

Embodiments of a system for recovery of a target aircraft by a host aircraft, the system including a towline having a proximal section configured to be coupled with the host aircraft and a distal section configured to be paid out from the host aircraft, a fitting coupled with the distal section of the towline, wherein the fitting comprises a housing, a global navigation satellite system receiver (e.g., without limitation, a GPS receiver), and a global navigation satellite system antenna. In some embodiments, when paid out from the host aircraft, the towline is configured to be in a substantially vertical orientation. The system of some embodiments can further include a capture mechanism configured to be coupled with a fuselage of the target aircraft and configured to capture the fitting.