Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a top clamshell having a first contoured surface that is configured to capture at least a portion of a top surface of a wing of an airborne wind turbine (AWT). The apparatus further includes a bottom clamshell having a second contoured surface that is configured to capture at least a portion of a bottom surface of the wing. The first contoured surface and the second contoured surface are configured to restrain the wing between the top clamshell and the bottom clamshell. The top clamshell is configured to be coupled to the fuselage attachment via a fastener at an aft end of the attachment apparatus.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a fuselage, a main wing attached to the fuselage, a support structure extending upwardly from the fuselage and having a front surface facing the main wing, an overhang positioned on a top of the support structure and extending towards the main wing, one or more rotating actuators positioned on the overhang, a rear elevator attached to the one or more rotating actuators that are configured to move the rear elevator from a flying mode position where a leading edge of the rear elevator faces the main wing to a hover mode position where the major surfaces of the rear elevator faces the main wing, and wherein the major surfaces of the rear elevator remain in front of the front surface of the support structure when the rear elevator is moved from the flying mode position to the hover mode position.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a fuselage, a main wing attached to the fuselage, a support structure extending upwardly from the fuselage and having a front surface facing the main wing, an overhang positioned on a top of the support structure and extending towards the main wing, one or more rotating actuators positioned on the overhang, a rear elevator attached to the one or more rotating actuators that are configured to move the rear elevator from a flying mode position where a leading edge of the rear elevator faces the main wing to a hover mode position where the major surfaces of the rear elevator faces the main wing, and wherein the major surfaces of the rear elevator remain in front of the front surface of the support structure when the rear elevator is moved from the flying mode position to the hover mode position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roadable aircraft vehicle (100) and related systems. An example roadable aircraft vehicle (100) includes a vehicle drive system (262) including an engine (264) and gearbox (206) selectively engageable with an automotive driveline (266) and at least one propeller (270), a user interface including a display (202) for controlling the drive system (262) in an automotive mode including a steering wheel (204) and in a flight mode including a control stick (272), a control system for switching between the flight mode and the automotive mode, and a system (236) for locking the propeller (270) during the automotive mode. The invention also relates to aircraft systems and elements such as an airfoil (106) having a nominal profile, a folding wing (102), and an occupant crash protection system for an aircraft (100).