An aircraft is disclosed having a structure at least part of which is capable of generating aerodynamic lift. A body having a mass is movably mounted to a portion of the structure by an active support. The active support includes an actuator to move the body relative to the portion of the structure, and a controller for controlling movement of the actuator in response to a dynamic input. The active support provides a range of movement for the body in at least one degree of freedom. The actuator moves the body across the entire range of movement in that one degree of freedom in a time period of less than 3 seconds. The actuator moves the body sufficiently rapidly to generate an inertial force that is equal to or greater than any aerodynamic force generated by the body during that movement of the body. The active support may be used to reduce loads on the aircraft structure.

An aerial vehicle has a loading section whereon a payload and the like can be loaded. The aerial vehicle is capable of traveling at least forward and backward, is provided with lift generation sections, arm sections for holding the lift generation sections, a loading section disposed on the arm sections and positioned posterior to the center of gravity of the aerial vehicle, and a maintaining means for maintaining the aerial vehicle at least in the horizontal attitude, and the loading section has a first connection part for maintaining a loaded object at least in the horizontal attitude. On the basis of the above mentioned, the payload can be prevented from entering slipstream regions created by propellers, improving flight efficiency.

An aerial vehicle has a loading section whereon a payload and the like can be loaded. The aerial vehicle is capable of traveling at least forward and backward, is provided with lift generation sections, arm sections for holding the lift generation sections, a loading section disposed on the arm sections and positioned posterior to the center of gravity of the aerial vehicle, and a maintaining means for maintaining the aerial vehicle at least in the horizontal attitude, and the loading section has a first connection part for maintaining a loaded object at least in the horizontal attitude. On the basis of the above mentioned, the payload can be prevented from entering slipstream regions created by propellers, improving flight efficiency.

A liquid propelled unmanned aerial vehicle includes a carrier and a nozzle assembly mounted to the carrier. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle adapted to eject a liquid propulsion jet, and a liquid inlet connection in fluid communication with the nozzle to connect the nozzle assembly to a pressurized liquid source. The nozzle has a variable orientation relative to the carrier. A control unit is operationally connected to the moveable nozzle so as to control the orientation of the nozzle and thereby the direction of the propulsion jet. A stabilising weight is suspended from the carrier and arranged such that a centre of gravity of the aerial vehicle is located in use below the nozzle.

A liquid propelled unmanned aerial vehicle includes a carrier and a nozzle assembly mounted to the carrier. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle adapted to eject a liquid propulsion jet, and a liquid inlet connection in fluid communication with the nozzle to connect the nozzle assembly to a pressurized liquid source. The nozzle has a variable orientation relative to the carrier. A control unit is operationally connected to the moveable nozzle so as to control the orientation of the nozzle and thereby the direction of the propulsion jet. A stabilising weight is suspended from the carrier and arranged such that a centre of gravity of the aerial vehicle is located in use below the nozzle.

[Problem] To provide an aerial vehicle wherein the flight efficiency can be improved. [Solution] An aerial vehicle according to the present invention relates in particular to a aerial vehicle having a loading section whereon a payload and the like can be loaded. The aerial vehicle is capable of traveling at least forward and backward, is provided with lift generation sections, arm sections for holding the lift generation sections, a loading section disposed on the arm sections and positioned posterior to the center of gravity of the aerial vehicle, and a maintaining means for maintaining the aerial vehicle at least in the horizontal attitude, and the loading section has a first connection part for maintaining a loaded object at least in the horizontal attitude. On the basis of the above mentioned, the payload can be prevented from entering slipstream regions created by propellers, improving flight efficiency.

[Problem] To provide an aerial vehicle wherein the flight efficiency can be improved. [Solution] An aerial vehicle according to the present invention relates in particular to a aerial vehicle having a loading section whereon a payload and the like can be loaded. The aerial vehicle is capable of traveling at least forward and backward, is provided with lift generation sections, arm sections for holding the lift generation sections, a loading section disposed on the arm sections and positioned posterior to the center of gravity of the aerial vehicle, and a maintaining means for maintaining the aerial vehicle at least in the horizontal attitude, and the loading section has a first connection part for maintaining a loaded object at least in the horizontal attitude. On the basis of the above mentioned, the payload can be prevented from entering slipstream regions created by propellers, improving flight efficiency.

An adjustment device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft, the aircraft having at least two thrust production units that contribute at least to providing the aircraft with lift, the adjustment device comprising at least one heavy member that is movable relative to an airframe of the aircraft and also at least one actuator for causing the heavy member to move. The adjustment device includes an avionics system configured to detect a failure of any one of the thrust production units and, in the presence of such a failure, to control the at least one actuator to cause the heavy member to move.

A flying object (drone) has a propeller drive unit provided in a fuselage thereof, and flies through the air by being driven by the propeller drive unit. The drone has a gravitational center movement device which is provided in the upper section of the fuselage and is capable of moving the total gravitational center position of the entire drone. The drone is equipped with a movement controller which moves the total gravitational center position to a target position by acquiring the total gravitational center position and controlling operation of the gravitational center movement device.

A flying object (drone) has a propeller drive unit provided in a fuselage thereof, and flies through the air by being driven by the propeller drive unit. The drone has a gravitational center movement device which is provided in the upper section of the fuselage and is capable of moving the total gravitational center position of the entire drone. The drone is equipped with a movement controller which moves the total gravitational center position to a target position by acquiring the total gravitational center position and controlling operation of the gravitational center movement device.