Aspects relate to a charger for an electric aircraft with failure monitoring and method for its use. An exemplary charger for an electric aircraft with failure monitoring includes a charging circuit. Included within the charging circuit is a connector configured to mate with an electric aircraft port of an electric aircraft and at least a current conductor configured to conduct a current. At least a conductor comprises a direct current conductor configured to conduct a direct current; and an alternating current conductor configured to conduct an alternating current. A charger may include a control circuit configured to command the charging circuit of an electric aircraft as a function of charging datum. A charger may also include a failure monitor circuit, the failure monitor circuit configured to: detect a failure and initiate a failure mitigation procedure as a function of failure detection.

An external power assist system for an eVTOL aircraft having one or more onboard batteries includes a subsurface power source and a power transfer interface electrically coupled to the subsurface power source. The power transfer interface is movable between various positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The power transfer interface is configured to transfer power to the onboard batteries of the eVTOL aircraft in the deployed position. The power transfer interface is moved at least partially subsurface in the stowed position.

An external power assist system for an eVTOL aircraft having one or more onboard batteries includes a subsurface power source and a power transfer interface electrically coupled to the subsurface power source. The power transfer interface is movable between various positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The power transfer interface is configured to transfer power to the onboard batteries of the eVTOL aircraft in the deployed position. The power transfer interface is moved at least partially subsurface in the stowed position.

Method and system to ascertain location of drone box for landing and charging drones comprising at least a drone box having a drone platform with a plurality of limiting boundaries, divided into number of sensor zones that are mechanically contiguous and electrically separated by an insulated separator of insulation width, each sensor zone having an identification coordinates, each drone having a plurality of ground interfaces, each having a unique address code, each ground interface has a charging terminal at a far end, each charging terminal having an interlocked switchable electricity polarity. The identification coordinates of the activated sensor zones are communicable to a second drone so that the second drone knows where NOT to land on the drone box, Such communication enables a third and subsequent drone to ascertain whether the identified drone box is suitable and available for landing.

An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

A baggage screening module including a baggage screening device; and a transportable container for housing the baggage screening device. The baggage screening device is operable within the container to screen baggage, and the baggage screening module is moveable as a unit to a place of use.

A drone may receive power from mobile base station equipment via an air-to-ground power feed during flight, which allows the drone to remain in flight for longer periods of time than relying on battery power alone. The air-to-ground power feed may be included in a tether that includes multiple air-to-ground power feeds or communication feeds. In some cases, the drone is powered by an on-board power system during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether. In some cases, the drone may follow flight patterns during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether.

An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV and a survey point. The geo-fiducials are each specified for a unique directional and offset position in or about the landing pad region relative to the survey point. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys an alphanumerical code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.

A system for mitigating charging failure for an electric aircraft including a charging connector, a sensor, a charger, and a controller. The charging connector comprising at least a charging pin and configured to mate with a corresponding charging port on an electric aircraft. The sensor communicatively connected to the charging connector and configured to detect a charging datum. The charger electrically connected to the charging connector and comprising a power source electrically connected to the charging connector. The controller communicatively connected to the sensor and configured to receive a charging datum from the sensor, detect a charging failure as a function of the charging datum, and initiate a mitigating response in response to detecting a charging failure.

The application concerns an apparatus for inspecting luggage, including a tubular frame having a plurality of pairs of lateral openings, the tubular frame being suitable for receiving a plurality of containers in line with the pairs of openings, each of the containers having two opposing faces and a plurality of juxtaposed and superimposed locations that are freely accessible through the two opposing faces, each of the locations being suitable for receiving a piece of luggage provided with an information recording medium containing information relating to the piece of luggage. The apparatus further includes a locating device including photoelectric detection grids installed across the lateral openings, respectively, and the position of the location in the container is recorded when the photoelectric detection grid is crossed.