A decelerator for decelerating an attached payload includes a first canopy, a second canopy, and an internal structure for redirecting air entering the decelerator out of the decelerator and in a contraflow direction, which is cognate to the direction of travel. The first canopy defines an interior volume and includes a first opening for receiving a flow of air into the interior volume and a second opening for permitting received air to travel out of the interior volume. The second canopy is then positioned over the second opening, and the internal structure extends at least partially through the interior volume and interconnects the first canopy and the second canopy. Air within the internal structure is directed out of the decelerator in the contraflow direction. The internal structure can be constructed of a plurality of venturi tubes to increase the velocity at which air is emitted from the decelerator.

A universal aerial platform (11, 41) supports lift elements (13, 14), thrusters (15), landing gear (21, 22) and a fuel supply (16) and has a coupling mechanism (17) external to the aerial platform for coupling to a terrain vehicle (20) so as to convert any suitably adapted terrain vehicle to a flying vehicle (10, 40). The terrain vehicle forms the cockpit of the flying vehicle. The terrain vehicle (20) includes flight controls that are automatically coupled to the airplane structure either wirelessly or by wires when the terrain vehicle is coupled thereto.

A universal aerial platform (11, 41) supports lift elements (13, 14), thrusters (15), landing gear (21, 22) and a fuel supply (16) and has a coupling mechanism (17) external to the aerial platform for coupling to a terrain vehicle (20) so as to convert any suitably adapted terrain vehicle to a flying vehicle (10, 40). The terrain vehicle forms the cockpit of the flying vehicle. The terrain vehicle (20) includes flight controls that are automatically coupled to the airplane structure either wirelessly or by wires when the terrain vehicle is coupled thereto.

Provided herein is a canopy control system comprising a yoke, configured to be pivotably securable to a vehicle and securable to a line system of a canopy in use, such that the yoke pivots with respect to the vehicle in a first direction when the canopy is subjected to a wind force; and a control mechanism configured to apply a control force to the canopy line system to cause the canopy to oppose the wind force, such that yoke pivots with respect to the vehicle in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Provided herein is a canopy control system comprising a yoke, configured to be pivotably securable to a vehicle and securable to a line system of a canopy in use, such that the yoke pivots with respect to the vehicle in a first direction when the canopy is subjected to a wind force; and a control mechanism configured to apply a control force to the canopy line system to cause the canopy to oppose the wind force, such that yoke pivots with respect to the vehicle in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

An aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes an expandable object, an ejection apparatus, a bag-shaped member, and a gas generator. The expandable object is wound or folded in a non-expanded state and generates at least any of lift and buoyancy in an expanded state. The ejection apparatus is coupled to the expandable object by a coupling member and ejects the non-expanded expandable object into air. The bag-shaped member is provided in the expandable object and wound or folded together with or separately from the non-expanded expandable object, and expands the non-expanded expandable object by at least partially being inflated like a tube. The gas generator is provided in the expandable object and inflates the bag-shaped member by causing gas generated at the time of activation to flow into the bag-shaped member.

An aerial vehicle includes an airframe, a canopy capable of adjusting a speed of falling during falling, a brake cord having one end connected to the canopy, a wind-up apparatus provided in the airframe and being capable of winding up the other end of the brake cord, a sensor unit that detects a distance to an external object, and a controller that controls an operation of the wind-up apparatus based on a result of detection by the sensor unit. The wind-up apparatus includes a gas generator as a drive source. The controller has the wind-up apparatus operate to wind up the other end of the brake cord by activating the gas generator when the distance detected by the sensor unit is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value.

An aerial vehicle includes an airframe, a canopy capable of adjusting a speed of falling during falling, a brake cord having one end connected to the canopy, a wind-up apparatus provided in the airframe and being capable of winding up the other end of the brake cord, a sensor unit that detects a distance to an external object, and a controller that controls an operation of the wind-up apparatus based on a result of detection by the sensor unit. The wind-up apparatus includes a gas generator as a drive source. The controller has the wind-up apparatus operate to wind up the other end of the brake cord by activating the gas generator when the distance detected by the sensor unit is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value.

A powered paragliding harness includes a harness with a pilot's back rest and an engine mount carrying a power unit with propeller. The back rest and engine mount are connected via at least first and second levers. Hinged connections connect one end of each to the back rest and the other end to the engine mount. The first lever is shorter than the second. In the harness operational state, the first lever is above the second. The levers enable the transition between an upright position, where the back restpropeller angle is small, especially back rest and propeller are or close to parallel, for an upright pilot position during take-off/landing, and a reclined position, where the back restpropeller angle is larger, for a reclined pilot position. The second leverengine mount connection is nearer to the power unit center of gravity than the first leverengine mount connection.

A powered paragliding harness includes a harness with a pilot's back rest and an engine mount carrying a power unit with propeller. The back rest and engine mount are connected via at least first and second levers. Hinged connections connect one end of each to the back rest and the other end to the engine mount. The first lever is shorter than the second. In the harness operational state, the first lever is above the second. The levers enable the transition between an upright position, where the back restpropeller angle is small, especially back rest and propeller are or close to parallel, for an upright pilot position during take-off/landing, and a reclined position, where the back restpropeller angle is larger, for a reclined pilot position. The second leverengine mount connection is nearer to the power unit center of gravity than the first leverengine mount connection.