The invention is designed for the organization of landing of unmanned vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicles (UAV VTOL) on the landing platform of a ground station, (including) for the purposes of automatic servicing their payloads and/or energy sources after landing. Due to the invention, it is provided correct position and alignment relative to the landing platform of unmanned aerial vehicle with three main landing legs on a flat horizontal landing platform, by providing rotation in opposite directions of two flat centering discs mounted on the platform with a protruding counter-direction spiral guide on each disk.

The invention is designed for the organization of landing of unmanned vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicles (UAV VTOL) on the landing platform of a ground station, (including) for the purposes of automatic servicing their payloads and/or energy sources after landing. Due to the invention, it is provided correct position and alignment relative to the landing platform of unmanned aerial vehicle with three main landing legs on a flat horizontal landing platform, by providing rotation in opposite directions of two flat centering discs mounted on the platform with a protruding counter-direction spiral guide on each disk.

A hybrid aerial vehicle (HAV) comprising: a fuselage of the HAV; a first mechanism within the fuselage for accepting a plurality of wings of the HAV, the first mechanism allowing coordinated contraction of the plurality of wings essentially into the fuselage such that tips of the wings are position in proximity of the fuselage and coordinated extension of the wings such that tips of each wing are positioned away from the fuselage; a first wing extending from the port side of the fuselage and connected to the first mechanism; a second wing extending from the starboard side of the fuselage and connected to the first mechanism; a second mechanism placed within the fuselage in proximity to its front end, the second mechanism allowing motion of propellers of the HAV affixed there to between a first plain and a second plain; a first set of propellers affixed at the port side of the fuselage to the second mechanism; a second set of propellers affixed at the starboard side of the fuselage to the second mechanism; a third mechanism placed within the fuselage in proximity to its rear end, the third mechanism allowing motion of propellers of the HAV affixed there to between a first plain and a second plain, and further placing the propellers affixed thereto to be at a vertical displacement with respect to the propellers affixed to the second mechanism; a third set of propellers affixed at the port side of the fuselage to the third mechanism; and a fourth set of propellers affixed at the starboard side of the fuselage to the third mechanism.

Flying machines may be docked during charging or other processes. A tray having multiple docking areas is configured to accommodate flying machines for transport and docking. The docking areas may, but need not, include passageways which may accommodate charging stations. For example, a storage enclosure may be configured to house one or more trays, configured to interface to corresponding charging surfaces. Protective layers and vibration dampening features may be used to soften impacts during storage and transport. A charging station may include electrical terminals, recesses, and locating features for docking a flying machine.

A system comprises a drone having autonomous drive capability and an assist vehicle (AV) for transporting the drone in an assisted drive mode in which the drone is held at, and transported by, the assist vehicle. Control hardware and software are programmed to determine drone travel over a route having a first route section in which the drone travels autonomously and a second route section in which the drone travels in the assisted drive mode.

A system for recharging an autonomous aerial vehicle includes a base, a supply boom, a receiving basket, a centering device, and a locking device. The supply boom includes a tip and first recharger. The receiving basket has an inner wall delimiting a cavity that may receive the tip of the supply boom. The receiving basket including a second recharger that is complementary to the first recharger. One of the supply boom and the receiving basket is mounted on the autonomous aerial vehicle while the other is mounted on the base. The centering device centers the tip of the supply boom in the cavity of the receiving basket. The locking device is controlled by a controller and locks the supply boom in the receiving basket.

A system for recharging an autonomous aerial vehicle includes a base, a supply boom, a receiving basket, a centering device, and a locking device. The supply boom includes a tip and first recharger. The receiving basket has an inner wall delimiting a cavity that may receive the tip of the supply boom. The receiving basket including a second recharger that is complementary to the first recharger. One of the supply boom and the receiving basket is mounted on the autonomous aerial vehicle while the other is mounted on the base. The centering device centers the tip of the supply boom in the cavity of the receiving basket. The locking device is controlled by a controller and locks the supply boom in the receiving basket.

A collision avoidance system for aircraft. A light fixture assembly includes a housing with a base and a clear dome over the base. The base including an aircraft attachment element that allows for drop-in replacement of original light housings. An aircraft light is within the housing, as well as an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor is tied to a warning indicator configured to issue an alert when the light fixture approaches an obstacle. The installation provides a permanent replacement for wing lights or taillights, whereby the proximity sensors are always on the aircraft, and do not need to be added once landed.

Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.

Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.