Abstract: A rocket-powered vehicle is held latched at the starting end of its guide track while a high steam pressure is built up within the rocket casings through probes inserted into the nozzles which also seal them. When the latch is released, the rockets move off the probes to unblock the nozzles whereby the rockets propel the vehicle down the track to launch the flying device.

Abstract: Various modifications are disclosed of the composite aircraft, which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,236 by this same inventor. The control console is supported from the center of the upper rotating balloon sphere instead of its south pole to reduce the periodic motion of the console about its point of attachment to the sphere. The console is supported from the center of an inner framework through a tapered indentation in the bottom of the sphere. A lift command control system determines the angle of attack of each wing about the periphery of the sphere to provide the force required to generate movement of the sphere in a preselected direction. If the wing experiences a gust, the force reaction compels the wing to seek a different angle of attack to keep the new force in balance with the command force exerted by the control on the wing to automatically provide gust control. A pneumatic lift command control system is illustrated.

Abstract: A pneumatic launching apparatus for a lightweight aircraft has a battery of three pneumatic tubes mounted upon a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly. A launching tube is mounted on the central pneumatic tube, which blows it away from it in a manner similar to that in which a tubular paper cover is blown off a drinking straw. The outer tubes provide additional storage for compressed air and support the outer ends of a launching carriage, which slides over them. The aircraft is mounted on the carriage by a pair of brackets which react against the aircraft in a forward-moving direction. Restraining shock absorbers are mounted across the front ends of the outer tubular rails in the path of movement of the carriage for arresting it. The pressure is exhausted from the system just before the carriage strikes the shock absorbers either by uncovering perforations in the central tubular rail or actuating a dump valve in the pneumatic system.