Abstract: Launch and land system for a tethered aircraft (in connection with FIG. 1) The invention provides for a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft (90) comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft and a winch (62) for the tether (92), wherein the runway comprises a funnel-shaped target area (14) with a wide end oriented towards one end of the runway and a narrow end opposite of the wide end, wherein said target area is laterally bordered by restriction devices (80) extending from one end of the target area to the other for preventing the aircraft to roll out of the target area.

Abstract: A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.

Abstract: A glider, a system and methods for electric power production from wind are disclosed. The glider includes an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne, sensor means that provide a first signal related to an absolute position of the glider, a second signal related to an air speed of the glider and a third signal related to an acceleration of the glider, a control device connected to the steering means for controlling autonomous flight of the glider based on the signals provided by the sensor means, and a connection means for a tether connecting the glider to a ground-based electrical machine constructed for converting a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil to wind and transferred to the ground via the tether into electric power. The system includes the glider, the ground-based electrical machine and tether.