An aerial payload delivery system uses a cruciform parachute canopy that is connected to base by plurality of suspension lines including an adjustable control line. A control system includes an actuator to selectively adjust the length of the control line. By adjusting the length of the control line, the parachute can be selectively set to glide or descend substantially vertically subject to wind. In an embodiment, the suspension lines also include a short line and a plurality of long lines. The parachute is set to glide by adjusting the control line to be about the same length as the short line and set to vertically descend by adjusting the length of the control line to differ from the short line.

An apparatus comprising a conductive network and one or more Faraday cages, wherein the one or more Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages, or conductive network. A system comprising a conductive network and one or more Faraday cages, wherein the one or more Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages, or conductive network. A method comprising arranging one or more Faraday cages to at least partially shield a conductive network, wherein the one or more flexible Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages or conductive network.

An apparatus comprising a conductive network and one or more Faraday cages, wherein the one or more Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages, or conductive network. A system comprising a conductive network and one or more Faraday cages, wherein the one or more Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages, or conductive network. A method comprising arranging one or more Faraday cages to at least partially shield a conductive network, wherein the one or more flexible Faraday cages and conductive network are configured to integrate with a parachute and be packed, deployed, and recovered without damaging the parachute, one or more Faraday cages or conductive network.

A system for payload delivery and drone recovery, wherein the system functions with the use of a lightweight parachute and a directional control module. The system can include a drop system for payload delivery, wherein the drop system releases the parachute and payload upon reaching a target site. The system can also include a recovery system, wherein the recovery system deploys the parachute and steers the failed drone to a target site. A lightweight ram-air parachute is used to provide a lighter steerable parachute system.

A system for payload delivery and drone recovery, wherein the system functions with the use of a lightweight parachute and a directional control module. The system can include a drop system for payload delivery, wherein the drop system releases the parachute and payload upon reaching a target site. The system can also include a recovery system, wherein the recovery system deploys the parachute and steers the failed drone to a target site. A lightweight ram-air parachute is used to provide a lighter steerable parachute system.

In some embodiments, a pod assembly transportation system includes a transportation services provider computing system and a plurality of flying frame flight control systems, wherein the system is configured to receive, at the transportation services provider computing system, a request for transportation of a pod assembly; upload a flight plan to a flight control system of a flying frame including an airframe and a distributed propulsion system coupled to airframe; dispatch the flying frame by air to the current location of the pod assembly; couple the pod assembly to the flying frame; transport the pod assembly by air from the current location of the pod assembly to the destination of the pod assembly including transitioning the flying frame between a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode; and decouple the pod assembly from the flying frame at the destination of the pod assembly.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The flight control system is also operable to detect faults in individual propulsion assemblies and to perform corrective action responsive to detected faults at a distributed propulsion system level.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The flight control system is also operable to detect faults in individual propulsion assemblies and to perform corrective action responsive to detected faults at a distributed propulsion system level.

In some embodiments, a transportation method includes coupling a flying frame to a passenger pod assembly; lifting the passenger pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the passenger pod assembly toward a second location in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the passenger pod assembly.

In some embodiment, an aircraft includes an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode.