A system for payload delivery and drone recovery, wherein the system functions with the use of a lightweight parachute and a directional control module. The system can include a drop system for payload delivery, wherein the drop system releases the parachute and payload upon reaching a target site. The system can also include a recovery system, wherein the recovery system deploys the parachute and steers the failed drone to a target site. A lightweight ram-air parachute is used to provide a lighter steerable parachute system.

In some embodiments, a pod assembly transportation system includes a transportation services provider computing system and a plurality of flying frame flight control systems, wherein the system is configured to receive, at the transportation services provider computing system, a request for transportation of a pod assembly; upload a flight plan to a flight control system of a flying frame including an airframe and a distributed propulsion system coupled to airframe; dispatch the flying frame by air to the current location of the pod assembly; couple the pod assembly to the flying frame; transport the pod assembly by air from the current location of the pod assembly to the destination of the pod assembly including transitioning the flying frame between a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode; and decouple the pod assembly from the flying frame at the destination of the pod assembly.

A carrier system for carrying out interception maneuvers of a loadbearing paraglider which has a glider having a trailing edge for carrying out the maneuver with at least one interception line is fixed to said edge includes at least one carried load unit, which is connected to the carrier system via a first, short load carrier belt and a second, longer load carrier belt. A carried load connected to the carried load unit is carried by way of the first, short load carrier belt. The trailing edge is adjusted to carry out the maneuver by the gravitational force of the carried load, in that the first, short load carrier belt is separated and the carried load is carried by way of the longer, second load carrier belt.

In some embodiments, a pod assembly transportation system includes a transportation services provider computing system and a plurality of flying frame flight control systems, wherein the system is configured to receive, at the transportation services provider computing system, a request for transportation of a pod assembly; upload a flight plan to a flight control system of a flying frame including an airframe and a distributed propulsion system coupled to airframe; dispatch the flying frame by air to the current location of the pod assembly; couple the pod assembly to the flying frame; transport the pod assembly by air from the current location of the pod assembly to the destination of the pod assembly including transitioning the flying frame between a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode; and decouple the pod assembly from the flying frame at the destination of the pod assembly.

A flying garment includes a suit having interconnected torso, groin, sleeves, and leg portions with more than one parachute sail joined to a rear of the suit forming interconnected parachute chambers have a rectangular prismatic shape in an air-filled condition, tapering from shoulders to ankle hems and a wing portion joined to a front of the suit. The wing portion interconnects each sleeve portion with the torso portion, interconnects each leg portion with the groin portion, and interconnects the leg portions. The chambers have an opening at a first end to receive air entering the chamber. The parachute sails interconnecting each sleeve portion with one of the leg portions and interconnect the leg portions.

Tailed parachute-paraglider (10) comprising a first portion (A) of a substantially squared/rectangular shape with sides (11, 13) two by two substantially parallel and opposed, and a second portion (B) with trapezoidal shape, comprising a couple of opposite parallel sides with the longest side of said couple of opposite parallel sides jointed to a side of said first portion (A) and the smallest side of said couple of opposite parallel sides comprising wires suitable for being jointed to legs and/or feet of a user (100); said second portion (B) being rotatable substantially around a transverse axis (Y) orthogonal to a longitudinal plane (X-X) of said tailed parachute-paraglider (10), wherein said transverse axis is substantially coinciding with said longest side of said couple of opposite sides and with a side of said first portion (A).

In some embodiments, a passenger pod assembly transportation system includes a transportation services provider computing system and a plurality of flying frame flight control systems, wherein the system is configured to receive, at the transportation services provider computing system, a request for transportation of a passenger pod assembly having a current location and a destination; upload a flight plan to a flight control system of a flying frame including an airframe and a propulsion system; dispatch the flying frame to the current location of the passenger pod assembly; couple the flying frame to the passenger pod assembly at the current location of the passenger pod assembly; transport the passenger pod assembly by air from the current location of the passenger pod assembly to the destination of the passenger pod assembly; and decouple the passenger pod assembly from the flying frame at the destination of the passenger pod assembly.

Payload delivery to a drop zone includes selecting a remote location at which to measure a remote wind stick and doing so based at least in part on current weather conditions. This is followed by determining a release point, flying to it, and then dropping the payload from the release point. Determining the release point includes estimating a wind stick at the drop zone based at least in part on the measurement of the remote wind stick.

An exemplary inventive parafoil includes a soft wing and a semi-rigid skeleton. Configured to effect ram-air flight, the soft wing forms adjacent elongate cells directed from leading edge to trailing edge, with respective inflow vents arranged along the leading edge. The semi-rigid skeleton includes one or more cell-compatible support structures, each joined with a cell in furtherance of maintaining the cell's inflated shape and preventing its collapse under adverse aerodynamic circumstances. Each cell-compatible support structure includes a ring-like frame and two parallel rod-like projections attached perpendicular to the ring-like frame at laterally opposite locations. According to each coupling of a cell-compatible support structure with a cell, the ring-like frame is affixed at or near the cell's inflow vent, fitting onto or inside the cell lip; the two rod-like projections extend backward from the ring-like frame along part of the cell length, each integrated with or interiorly contiguous to the cell.

A riser release system controllably lands a descending flight vehicle having a parafoil or canopy. The system has control lines and riser lines attached to the parafoil or canopy. The other end of the riser lines are attached to an upper portion of a release structure; a lower portion of the release structure is connected to the payload; and a coupling mechanisms releasably couples the upper and lower portions. When the upper and lower portions are decoupled, a distance control device controls and limits the distance of separation between the two portions, and a rate control device controls the rate of separation. Separation causes the riser lines to increase the distance between the payload and canopy, further causing the canopy to flare and decrease the rate of descent of the flight vehicle.