A self-propelled toy glider includes a flexible frame and a flight surface. The flexible frame may be deformed and held within the user's hand. When deformed, the flexible frame stores spring energy. This spring energy is subsequently used to propel the self-propelled toy glider forward as it returns to original shape.

A hinged component includes first and second portions of material coupled together by a composite live hinge. The live hinge includes a layer of tensile fabric and a layer of elastomer interposed between the tensile fabric and the material of one or both of the coupled first and second portions. The composite live hinge is capable of joining structural composite materials without the need for scoring, and thereby weakening, the structural composite material along the desired hinge line. The live hinge can be embedded in the materials it joins in a method that is compatible with traditional structural composite layup processes and in a manner which prevents resin from the structural composite materials from infiltrating the tensile fabric and compromising its flexibility.

A pivoting wing system, capable of vertical take-off and landing, having a hub connected to one or more wings provided on a spanwise axis. The wings are further provided with one or more thrust producing devices mounted to the top and bottom of the wings. The thrust producing devices are configured pivot the wings about the spanwise axis. The wings generate lift for forward flight situations, and the configuration allows for controlled vertical and horizontal flight. The wings may also be configured as rotary elements and enable the system to take flight like a helicopter.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and one or more processors. The first communication module is configured to directly receive control data from a controlling terminal via a first communication link and the control data is used to control operations of the UAV. The second communication module is configured to transmit feedback data to a monitoring terminal via a second communication link. The monitoring terminal is located remotely from the UAV. The one or more processors are, individually or collectively, configured to terminate and reactivate the first wireless communication link based on one or more predetermined criteria.

A motor assembly that includes a motor having a motor casing, a rotatable shaft extending from said motor casing to a shaft length and a hub coupled to said rotatable shaft, the hub having a circumferential skid surface disposed immediately proximal to the motor casing and having a channel configured to seat a propeller, when a propeller is present, wherein a bending moment applied to the shaft through the hub results in the circumferential skid surface contacting said motor casing.

A quick release propeller for model airplanes is disclosed including two or more blades mounted to a hub. For each blade, the hub includes a slot and a shoulder. Each blade includes a base portion having pins which slide into the slot in the hub. The slots are curved which prevents the blades from being removed unless they are rotated at predefined threshold angle with respect to the hub.

A model airplane engine starting stick is provided with a blade edge engaging roller having a roller surface of a material which will grip the blade edge of the propeller when against the blade edge of the propeller to cause the roller to roll along the blade edge without sliding over and damaging the blade edge as the starting stick is moved with respect to the blade edge to rotate the propeller. The starting stick of the invention includes a handle by which the starting stick can be held and manipulated by a user and a roller attached to the handle to freely rotate or roll with respect to the handle.

A motor assembly that includes a motor having a motor casing, a rotatable shaft extending from said motor casing to a shaft length and a hub coupled to said rotatable shaft, the hub having a circumferential skid surface disposed immediately proximal to the motor casing and having a channel configured to seat a propeller, when a propeller is present, wherein a bending moment applied to the shaft through the hub results in the circumferential skid surface contacting said motor casing.

Control of a toy flying toy plane comprises providing the plane having a motor and propeller and a separate remote controller for use by a player of the toy. The plane includes a flexible, foldable wing and a fuselage below the wing. The fuselage supports at least one propulsion unit and the fuselage is removably locatable relative to the wing. A signal is sent from a transmitter with the toy to the controller. A variation in intensity of the received signal to the toy being from the controller. The controller transmits a signal to the toy according to the desired action of the player and thereby to cause the flying toy to move as required.

A wireless transmitter includes a pair of control sticks, circuitry coupled to control sticks, and an antenna coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry is configured to process signals produced by the control sticks to provide control inputs for the speed, direction, and other flight characteristics of the model aircraft being controlled by the transmitter. The transmitter is configured for multiple operational modes in which the pair of control sticks engage or disengage functionality, such as return-to-center functionality, vertical or horizontal position limiting functionality, or position select functionality.