Abstract: A compact valve and actuator includes a housing with a cylindrical bore which is open on one end of the housing and substantially closed at the second end except for an inwardly extending coaxial inlet tube. A cylindrical slide member is concentrically received between the outside of the tube and the inside of the bore and is provided with a piston-forming flange which is restricted in axial movement by a stop ring also located around the slide member midway of the bore. The second end of the bore and the stop ring form ends of a cylinder for the aforementioned piston-forming flange of the slide member. The slide member further includes valving apertures which cooperate with the stop ring to communicate fluid received via the inlet tube either to the open end of the bore, or via apertures in the stop ring to a by-pass.

Abstract: A load lifting system includes a platform suspended beneath a helicopter and provided with an engine for supplying thrust in a vertical direction. The platform engine is controlled to lift the load suspended below the platform while the aircraft supplies the lift for supporting the platform and engine.