An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

Embodiments provide a compact vertiport system. The vertiport system may be efficient and compact by combining, into one space and time period, multiple activities that typically take place in different spaces and different times. For example, when an aircraft is being moved from a landing zone to a takeoff zone, the aircraft may also be charged simultaneously. Also, passenger exchange may take place while the aircraft is being moved. As a result, compact vertiport systems may fit into smaller spaces (e.g., tops of buildings, or smaller plots of land).

An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

Embodiments provide a compact vertiport system. The vertiport system may be efficient and compact by combining, into one space and time period, multiple activities that typically take place in different spaces and different times. For example, when an aircraft is being moved from a landing zone to a takeoff zone, the aircraft may also be charged simultaneously. Also, passenger exchange may take place while the aircraft is being moved. As a result, compact vertiport systems may fit into smaller spaces (e.g., tops of buildings, or smaller plots of land).

Embodiments provide a compact vertiport system. The vertiport system may be efficient and compact by combining, into one space and time period, multiple activities that typically take place in different spaces and different times. For example, when an aircraft is being moved from a landing zone to a takeoff zone, the aircraft may also be charged simultaneously. Also, passenger exchange may take place while the aircraft is being moved. As a result, compact vertiport systems may fit into smaller spaces (e.g., tops of buildings, or smaller plots of land).

Exemplary disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for a ground maneuvering system for aircraft. The systems, methods, and devices may include a ground maneuvering system including at least one processor in communication with at least one sensor and at least one maneuvering vehicle. The at least one maneuvering vehicle includes one or more processors in communication with one or more sensors. The one or more processors can be configured to sense, using the one or more sensors, an area associated with a plurality of areas, to determine a location within area, or to maneuver the maneuvering vehicle to the location. The maneuvering vehicle may also include a movement system for maneuvering the maneuvering vehicle in or around the plurality of areas, and a platform configured for an aircraft.

An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

A mobile micro-grid system for supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations includes a containerized housing with at least one door operable between a stored position and a deployed position. Each door is associated with a UAV docking station configured to transfer power to a UAV. A renewable energy subsystem mounted on the container provides power to an onboard energy storage system, which supplies energy to the UAV docking stations. A control system within the container manages charging schedules based on power availability, autonomously deploys UAVs, and maintains communications during landing, takeoff, and charging. A method for managing UAV operations includes receiving flight schedule and energy data, wirelessly charging UAVs, deploying UAVs from a landing platform, and monitoring flight and battery status via a communications link. In another embodiment, a flight control subsystem coordinates UAV launch timing based on energy availability and generates alerts for power shortages affecting UAV readiness.

A portable energy charging system and method for remote, isolated, and mobile energy charging for aerospace or aircraft vehicles which cannot be coupled to stationary (transmissions lines based) vehicle charge systems. The aircraft charging method includes connecting a portable energy source to an energy storage system in the aircraft vehicle and transferring an amount of energy from the portable energy source to the energy storage system in the aircraft. The charging system monitors, using one or more sensor devices, one or more charge condition parameters associated with the charging conditions at said energy storage system of the aircraft vehicle when receiving energy transferred from said portable energy source and detects any condition when a monitored parameter is a value exceeding a threshold level value. In response to detecting a condition when a monitored parameter is of a value exceeding a threshold level value, the charging system responsively initiates a correction.

In one aspect, a system for charging an aircraft can include a robotic charging device, and a computing system configured to obtain data associated with a transportation itinerary and energy parameter(s) of the aircraft. The data associated with the transportation itinerary can be indicative of an aircraft landing facility at which the aircraft is to be located. The computing system can determine (e.g., select) a robotic charging device from among a plurality of robotic charging devices for charging the aircraft based on the transportation itinerary data and energy parameter(s) of the aircraft; determine charging parameter(s) for the robotic charging device based on the transportation itinerary data; and communicate command instruction(s) for the robotic charging device to charge the aircraft according to the charging parameter(s). The robotic charging device can be configured to automatically connect with a charging area of the aircraft for charging a battery onboard the aircraft.