An inner middle rotor is rotated while an inner front rotor, an inner back rotor, and an outer rotor are not rotated. The inner middle rotor is surrounded by the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, the outer rotor, and a fuselage. After rotating the inner middle rotor while not rotating the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, and the outer rotor, the inner middle rotor, the inner front rotor, the inner back rotor, and the outer rotor are simultaneously rotated.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

A pontoon for providing buoyant force to a floating craft comprises a barrel having front and rear ends and a fin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the barrel. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion positioned rearwardly of the first portion. The first portion extends at least generally parallel with or coincident with a lateral, horizontally extending centerline of the barrel. In order to enhance stability, improve handling, and/or inhibit motor cavitation, the second portion is inclined downwardly and rearwardly relative to the rear end of the first portion. Also disclosed is a pontoon boat fitted with fins on the pontoons and/or on the transom.

A pontoon for providing buoyant force to a floating craft comprises a barrel having front and rear ends and a fin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the barrel. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion positioned rearwardly of the first portion. The first portion extends at least generally parallel with or coincident with a lateral, horizontally extending centerline of the barrel. In order to enhance stability, improve handling, and/or inhibit motor cavitation, the second portion is inclined downwardly and rearwardly relative to the rear end of the first portion. Also disclosed is a pontoon boat fitted with fins on the pontoons and/or on the transom.

The present invention comprises a system which includes a novel quick release thruster mount system using one or more removable elements allowing the thrusters to be removed quickly. The present invention also comprises a novel float compartment centric design where no wiring to the cockpit is necessary. Redundant power units are self-contained and protected. The novel design incorporates thrust force over the surface of the water rudders improving directional control. The rudder anti lift device ALPB allows the rudders to remain in the water while reverse or braking thrust is applied. Control and monitoring are done wirelessly from the safety of the cockpit reducing hazard while maneuvering to avoid prop strike hazards to pilot, persons or objects. The system offers the ability to maintain positive directional control while taxing downwind resisting the inherent weathervane forces, braking, and turning maneuvers unachievable with current methods. The system differs from any prior art due to the aft location of drive components, method for deployment, and the fact that the drive system does not mount directly to the float itself but rather the water rudders. These forces are marginal in comparison to what is needed when one takes into consideration the Moment and Arm location of the force and the smaller lightweight thrusters do more work with less effort.

The present invention comprises a system which includes a novel quick release thruster mount system using one or more removable elements allowing the thrusters to be removed quickly. The present invention also comprises a novel float compartment centric design where no wiring to the cockpit is necessary. Redundant power units are self-contained and protected. The novel design incorporates thrust force over the surface of the water rudders improving directional control. The rudder anti lift device ALPB allows the rudders to remain in the water while reverse or braking thrust is applied. Control and monitoring are done wirelessly from the safety of the cockpit reducing hazard while maneuvering to avoid prop strike hazards to pilot, persons or objects. The system offers the ability to maintain positive directional control while taxing downwind resisting the inherent weathervane forces, braking, and turning maneuvers unachievable with current methods. The system differs from any prior art due to the aft location of drive components, method for deployment, and the fact that the drive system does not mount directly to the float itself but rather the water rudders. These forces are marginal in comparison to what is needed when one takes into consideration the Moment and Arm location of the force and the smaller lightweight thrusters do more work with less effort.

The invention provides a float plane having a fuselage, a wing, and two floats mounted to the fuselage. In one group of embodiments, the float plane is a firefighting float plane that includes a water tank and a water scooping assembly. In another group of embodiments, the float plane includes a spreader bar suspension assembly. In certain embodiments, the float plane is a firefighting float plane that includes a water tank, a water scooping assembly, and a spreader bar suspension assembly.

The invention provides a float plane having a fuselage, a wing, and two floats mounted to the fuselage. In one group of embodiments, the float plane is a firefighting float plane that includes a water tank and a water scooping assembly. In another group of embodiments, the float plane includes a spreader bar suspension assembly. In certain embodiments, the float plane is a firefighting float plane that includes a water tank, a water scooping assembly, and a spreader bar suspension assembly.

Boundary information associated with a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained. An input associated with flying an aircraft is received from an input device. Location information associated with the aircraft is received from a location sensor. A control signal is generated for the aircraft based at least in part on the boundary information, the input, and the location information, wherein the control signal is responsive to the input in a manner that would not cause the aircraft to cross a boundary associated with the 3D flying space.