Abstract:
A device for protecting a helicopter and its occupants from damage during a crash or difficult landing. The device includes an inflatable bag attached to the bottom fuselage which covers a totality of the surface of the helicopter's bottom fuselage. The bag is inflatable into a trapezoidal shape having a very large volume, exceeding the helicopter's internal volume, for substantially cushioning the helicopter upon impact with the ground during a crash. The bag is equipped with distortion-control reinforcements for preventing toppling of the helicopter after a landing and bag air-pressure controlling and limiting devices.