A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A strap that may be used to secure equipment (e.g., a bag) to the parachute harness of a parachutist. The strap may provide adjustability of an effective strap length to assist in positioning the suspended equipment relative to the parachutist. The strap may include quick-release features that allow the suspended equipment to be quickly and easily disengaged (e.g., once the parachutist has landed). In turn, a transition to ground operations in which the equipment is in use may occur quickly and without heavy rigging or additional containers for stowing the equipment during the jump. In turn, the strap may be carried with the parachutist during ground operations without significant additional weight.

A strap that may be used to secure equipment (e.g., a bag) to the parachute harness of a parachutist. The strap may provide adjustability of an effective strap length to assist in positioning the suspended equipment relative to the parachutist. The strap may include quick-release features that allow the suspended equipment to be quickly and easily disengaged (e.g., once the parachutist has landed). In turn, a transition to ground operations in which the equipment is in use may occur quickly and without heavy rigging or additional containers for stowing the equipment during the jump. In turn, the strap may be carried with the parachutist during ground operations without significant additional weight.

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A parachute release mechanism includes a housing, a strap hinge pin pivotably mounted to the housing, a cord coupled to the housing, and a cord tensioner coupled to the housing and coupled to the cord, wherein the cord tensioner is configured to impart a desired tension to the cord. The strap hinge pin is pivotable between a secured position and a released position, wherein in the secured position the strap hinge pin is configured to support a suspension strap for a payload and in the released position the suspension strap is enabled to disengage from the strap hinge pin. The cord is configured to retain the strap hinge pin in the secured position.

A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is describe which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.

A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is describe which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.

Disclosed is a package delivery mechanism for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The package delivery mechanism includes a gravity activated locking mechanism to lock and unlock a package attached to the UAV based on the weight of the package. When the package is attached to suspension means of the UAV that lowers the package to the ground from the UAV, the locking mechanism automatically engages with the package and keeps the package locked to the suspension means, due to the weight of the package. When the package is lowered and reaches on the ground, the weight of the package is offloaded from the suspension means, which enables the locking mechanism to be disengaged, thereby releasing the package. The package delivery mechanism includes a severing module to sever the suspension means from the UAV.

An emergency landing apparatus for an aircraft and a method of operating the emergency landing apparatus is provided. The emergency landing apparatus comprises: one or more rocket motors arranged to eject efflux in order to provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and control circuitry configured to: cause the one or more rocket motors to eject efflux and provide upwards thrust to control descent of the aircraft during emergency landing of the aircraft; and cause redirection of the efflux ejected by the one or more rocket motors, during the emergency landing of the aircraft, in order to reduce the upwards thrust provided by the one or more rocket motors.