William F Mcdonnell

US Patent:

42679877, May 19, 1981

Filed:

Mar 29, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/024881

Inventors:

William R. McDonnell - Ladue MO

International Classification:

B64D 500

US Classification:

244 2

Abstract:

This invention pertains to helicopter airborne load systems and composite aircraft configurations. The composite aircraft configurations are designed to allow a fixed wing aircraft to take off and land either vertically or in a short ground run when assisted by a rotary winged aircraft such as a helicopter, and includes a maneuverable probe system used to attach two aircraft to form a composite aircraft configuration, the fixed wing aircraft embodying the use of a receptacle or attachment device cooperative with the maneuverable probe to effect the uniting of the aircraft. The helicopter systems airborne includes the use of the probe to cooperate with special external pods capable of carrying loads, fuel and instrumented devices.