Abstract: A method of transporting large numbers of passengers by air from a departure airfield to a destination airfield. The method comprises providing a large flying wing airframe, providing a plurality of passenger pods adapted to be loaded with passengers at a traditional airport gate facility, loading the pods with passengers, transporting the loaded pods to the airframe parked on the tarmac, attaching the loaded pods to the underside of the airframe, and flying the airframe to the destination airfield. The method further comprises detaching the pods from the airframe in the event of an in-flight emergency and deploying parachutes from the detached pods to lower them safely to the ground. A high density air transport system that embodies the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An airport security system for monitoring and securing airplanes stowed at various site airports within a security network is provided. Each of the planes is fitted with a transmitter or transmitters that transmit coded signals upon detecting an intrusion. In addition, the transmitters transmit periodic check-in signals. The signals are received by a receiver at the site airport, which conveys the coded signals to a local site main computer that, in turn, is connected to a central facility computer coupled to all of the site main computers within the network. If an alarm condition occurs or if an aircraft in the system fails to check-in at its designated time, appropriate alarms are generated and appropriate action taken. Aircraft can also be tracked by the central facility computer as they fly from one site airport to another within the network.