A disclosed device allows a person to fly. A disclosed wearable flight system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies including a left-hand propulsion assembly configured to be worn on a user's left hand and/or forearm and a right-hand propulsion assembly configured to be worn on a user's right hand and/or forearm. A further embodiment includes a body propulsion device that is configured to provide a net force along an axis defining a net body propulsion vector and a support device configured to support a user's waist or torso. The support device is configured to hold a user's body relative to the body propulsion device such that a line extending between center the of the user's head and the center of the user's waist extends, relative to the orientation of the net body propulsion vector during use, by a body propulsion elevation angle that is greater than zero.

Variations of an aerial vehicle, all with capability of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), with one variation comprising at least three engines, at least three rotors, a flight control system, battery, and propulsion system. The second VTOL aerial vehicle variation being a hybrid with engine-powered rotors and electric-powered rotors configured to work with a flight control system and battery. The first and second variations having the option of a genset system which recharges the battery. The third VTOL aerial vehicle variation being all-electric-powered rotors configured to work with a flight control system and a genset system which powers the rotors and/or recharges the battery.

An aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, a wing, and a wing shift device. The wing shift device is configured to be coupled to the fuselage. The wing shift device comprises a plurality of apertures for coupling the wing to the aerial vehicle. The plurality of apertures are configured to permit the wing to be shifted in a forward or aft direction along the fuselage based on a center of gravity of the aerial vehicle.

The present invention provides lightweight fluid-jet thrust pack which provides three rotational axes and reduced restriction of fluid flow to the output nozzles. A first rotational axis is provided by a first rotatable coupling that is concentric with a coupler for a hose supplying pressurized fluid. The top of the first coupling has a splitter which directs incoming fluid into two splayed stub supply pipes. A preformed, reinforced rubber hose connects each stub supply pipe to one of a pair of coaxial rotatable couplings at opposite ends of a tiltable cross arm assembly that is pivotally secured to tower support bracket that is secured to the first rotatable coupling. An outward rotatable portion of each of the coaxial rotatable couplings is equipped with one boot-mounting platform and a downward-projecting jet nozzle that is in communication with the stub receiver pipe of the same rotatable coupling.

The invention discloses an aircraft generating a larger lift from its interior. The fluid channel inside the aircraft communicates with the engine and the ports on the upper surface of the outer shell. With the powerful suction of the engine, the fluid on the upper surface of the outer shell is quickly sucked into the fluid channel via respective ports under conditions of long path, large area, high speed and low air pressure, which results in large lift from the interior of the aircraft. In the course of generating the lift, the fluid resistances of the fluid wall and the fluid hole are sucked into the fluid channel through the ports at the front and the surrounding area of the aircraft, then high-speed fluid is emitted from the rear port. This approach contributes greatly to the transformation of the existing aircraft. The unified big wing significantly improves the lift, the speed and the carrying capacity of the existing aircraft with lowered energy consumption.

Aerial launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods. A representative method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system includes directing a first, multi-rotor carrier aircraft to carry a second, carried aircraft aloft, and release the second aircraft for flight, while powering the first aircraft with an on-board battery. The method can further include directing the first aircraft to position a capture line in a flight path of the second aircraft to capture the second aircraft.

The invention relates to a device for propelling a passenger, comprising a body arranged to receive said passenger and cooperating with a fuel-fed thrust unit. The arrangement of such a device enables great freedom of movement in the air. More specifically, the thrust unit comprises at least one thrust sub-unit, each advantageously comprising at least two thrusters and secondary course-correction and/attitude-correction thrusters.

The present invention relates to a method, system, and apparatus of flight system for individual users using electric ducted fans. The flight system comprises a modular unit, which comprises a plurality of electric ducted fans, means for connecting electric ducted fans, and a pair of armpit supports. The flight system further comprises means for securing a modular unit around respective left and right shoulders of a user. In one embodiment, the flight system can be controlled to generate a horizontal acceleration of 20 MPH/second and a vertical acceleration of 10 MPH/second.

Aerial launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods. A representative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an airframe, a plurality of rotors, and a capture line. The rotors are coupled to the airframe and configured to support the UAV in hover. The capture line is carried by the UAV and is operatively coupled to an immersible anchor. The immersible anchor is configured to be immersed within a body of water during a capture operation involving the capture line.

A system includes a first battery in a vehicle. The vehicle is capable of being coupled at least temporarily with a second, removable battery and is powered by at least one of the first or the second battery. The system also includes a controller in the vehicle which is configured to estimate an amount of travel-related charge based at least in part on a pickup and drop off location. It is decided whether to charge the first battery using the second battery based at least in part on the amount of travel-related charge and a measured amount of stored charge in the second battery. If it is decided to do so, the first battery is charged using the second battery.