An airborne wind turbine system is provided including an aerial vehicle having a fuselage, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a rotatable drum positioned on a tower onto which the tether is wrapped when the aerial vehicle is reeled in, a perch extending from the tower, one or more perch booms attached to the perch panel and pivotably mounted to the tower, wherein when the aerial vehicle is secured to the perch, the aerial vehicle is positionable in a lowered parked position, and wherein the aerial vehicle is movable to a raised parked position caused by rotation of the one or more perch booms with respect to the tower.

Provided is a self-leveling support apparatus for use with a UAV or stationary device such as a table or ladder, the apparatus having multiple leg members, each associated with a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder; a connection among the hydraulic or pheumatic cylinders such that they share a common reservoir of fluid; a locking mechanism that obstructs free flow of fluid among the cylinders and stabilizes the UAV or stationary device without the need for electronic sensors or control systems.

Provided is a self-leveling support apparatus for use with a UAV or stationary device such as a table or ladder, the apparatus having multiple leg members, each associated with a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder; a connection among the hydraulic or pheumatic cylinders such that they share a common reservoir of fluid; a locking mechanism that obstructs free flow of fluid among the cylinders and stabilizes the UAV or stationary device without the need for electronic sensors or control systems.

There is provided a landing platform for mounting on a luminaire, where the landing platform provides an interface to a drone. For example, there is provided a landing platform for a drone, the landing platform being adaptable to mount on a luminaire. The landing platform includes two electrically active portions and an elevated portion. The elevated portion is configured to secure the drone on the landing platform and provide electrical contact between the two electrically active portions and electrical connectors of the drone.

There is provided a landing platform for mounting on a luminaire, where the landing platform provides an interface to a drone. For example, there is provided a landing platform for a drone, the landing platform being adaptable to mount on a luminaire. The landing platform includes two electrically active portions and an elevated portion. The elevated portion is configured to secure the drone on the landing platform and provide electrical contact between the two electrically active portions and electrical connectors of the drone.

Exemplary drone operations support base embodiments disclosed herein may be used to shelter, repower, and/or service drones associated therewith. A drone operations support base may include an enclosure with an entryway that permits drone ingress and egress with respect to the enclosure. Drone launching/landing, drone storage and drone power source repowering areas may be associated with a given drone base. A transfer device may be provided to move drones between the various drone base areas. The transfer device may also be adapted to transfer drone power sources between the drone repowering area and drones located elsewhere within the drone base for repowering of the power sources and of the drones.

Exemplary drone operations support base embodiments disclosed herein may be used to shelter, repower, and/or service drones associated therewith. A drone operations support base may include an enclosure with an entryway that permits drone ingress and egress with respect to the enclosure. Drone launching/landing, drone storage and drone power source repowering areas may be associated with a given drone base. A transfer device may be provided to move drones between the various drone base areas. The transfer device may also be adapted to transfer drone power sources between the drone repowering area and drones located elsewhere within the drone base for repowering of the power sources and of the drones.

A multicopter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a multicopter configured to fly in a state of holding a package and a mooring device that is installed at a target position of a flight of the multicopter and includes a linear member that extends in a predetermined direction from the target position, the multicopter including a reception portion that has the shape of a recess including an opening open toward one direction and is configured to receive the linear member via the opening.

A multicopter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a multicopter configured to fly in a state of holding a package and a mooring device that is installed at a target position of a flight of the multicopter and includes a linear member that extends in a predetermined direction from the target position, the multicopter including a reception portion that has the shape of a recess including an opening open toward one direction and is configured to receive the linear member via the opening.

A heliport docking system provides automated transport, fueling, maintenance, and logistical management of VTOLs. The heliport docking system can include a plurality of helipads that can be autonomously transported from area-to-area to assist in the logistics of heliport management and control. The helipad system can include a surface on which a VTOL can land and a controller that can perform functions related to routing, maintenance, object detection, and transport, among others. The helipad system can releasably secure the VTOL to the helipad and transport the VTOL to different areas of the heliport system. The helipad system can also fuel the VTOL by providing, electricity, combustible fuel, or other suitable energy source, and perform a maintenance check of the VTOL and create maintenance crew of any VTOL irregularities.