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.

A universal sequencer for an ejection seat may comprise a connector defining a plurality of pin receptacles. A controller may be electrically coupled to the connector. A tangible, non-transitory may be memory configured to communicate with the controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory has instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations, which may comprise determining an ejection seat or aircraft model and determining an ejection sequence based on the ejection seat or aircraft model determination.

An aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes an expandable object and an ejection apparatus. The ejection apparatus includes a container that accommodates the expandable object and has an opening provided on one end side, a moving member provided in the container, the moving member including an emission base carrying the expandable object on a side of the opening, the moving member being movable along an inner wall of the container, and a driver that ejects the expandable object by moving the moving member toward the opening. A space located opposite to the opening when viewed from the emission base and surrounded by the container and the moving member communicates with a space located outside the space through a communication portion.

An aerial vehicle safety apparatus includes an expandable object and an ejection apparatus. The ejection apparatus includes a container that accommodates the expandable object and has an opening provided on one end side, a moving member provided in the container, the moving member including an emission base carrying the expandable object on a side of the opening, the moving member being movable along an inner wall of the container, and a driver that ejects the expandable object by moving the moving member toward the opening. A space located opposite to the opening when viewed from the emission base and surrounded by the container and the moving member communicates with a space located outside the space through a communication portion.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention enable a user of a drone to operate it more quietly. Embodiments of the present invention relate to such a system, apparatus, and a method of and for a drone that may be quiet, that can fly far while minimizing the need to recharge, that may have protective shells, that may employ operational redundancy, that may provide stealth capabilities due, for example, to the design of the shell, and that may allow a drone to stay in position at, for example, 329,999 feet for months. In one embodiment of the present invention, electro-magnetism is used to propel a drone while another embodiment uses an expandable outer shell. The embodiments, while also increasing a drone's range, provide enhanced maneuverability due to the unique shape and drive and steering systems of the drone. Embodiments may provide stealth and overall convenience, together potentially resulting in increased safety to creating a class of sub-space vehicles.

A hybrid electric jet powered aircraft including a fuselage member, a power unit, a set of wing members, and an emergency safety unit. The fuselage member includes a cabin having a plurality of enclosed seating elements for transporting a plurality of passengers and a cockpit having a plurality of seating elements for one or more operators of the aircraft. The power unit includes at least one electric powered motor and at least one jet fueled powered engine. The set of wing members for lifting the fuselage member. The set includes two pairs of wing members, wherein each pair of wing members is attached at its proximate end to the fuselage member on opposite sides of the fuselage member from one another. Each wing member has a tilting ducted fan attached to its distal end. Each ducted fan is tilted in a first position for horizontal forward flight and each ducted fan is tilted in a second position for vertical flight. The emergency safety unit for ejecting a parachute canopy when an emergency situation occurs in the aircraft.

A drone according to an embodiment may comprise: a support table; a main unit spaced from the support table and formed above the support table; a connecting portion for connecting the main unit and the support table; and a propulsion unit provided on the outer side of the support table so as to generate thrust. The main unit may have a through-hole formed therein, a parachute may be provided inside the through-hole, and, during a fall, the parachute may be discharged out of the through-hole by deformation of the connecting portion.

A drone according to an embodiment may comprise: a support table; a main unit spaced from the support table and formed above the support table; a connecting portion for connecting the main unit and the support table; and a propulsion unit provided on the outer side of the support table so as to generate thrust. The main unit may have a through-hole formed therein, a parachute may be provided inside the through-hole, and, during a fall, the parachute may be discharged out of the through-hole by deformation of the connecting portion.