摘要:
An aerofoil has at least one space frame and at least one pre-stressed cover supported by the space frame. The space frame has one or more structural members, the structural members including a structural foam material; and the pre-stressed cover forms at least a part of an external aerodynamic surface of the aerofoil.
摘要:
A method of launching a powered unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising lifting the vehicle by attachment to a lighter-than-air carrier from a substantially ground-level location to an elevated altitude, wherein the vehicle is prevented from entering its flight mode during ascent, causing the vehicle to detach from the carrier while the velocity of the vehicle relative to the carrier is substantially zero, the vehicle thereafter decreasing in altitude as it accelerates to a velocity where it is capable of preventing any further descent and can begin independent sustained flight.
摘要:
An aircraft has a wing providing the main lifting surface for the aircraft. The wing has a structure supporting an aero-dynamic surface, and the wing has a weight, the wing structure being unable to support its own weight when the aircraft is stationary and under a load of 1 g so as to cause structural failure of the wing.