US 12,246,821 B2
Hover and thrust control assembly for dual-mode aircraft
Cody Spiegel, Charlotte, VT (US); and Dale Williams, Winooski, VT (US)
Assigned to BETA AIR LLC, South Burlington, VT (US)
Filed by BETA AIR, LLC, South Burlington, VT (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/972,830.
Application 17/972,830 is a continuation of application No. 17/001,845, filed on Aug. 25, 2020, granted, now 11,518,497.
Application 17/001,845 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/929,206, filed on Jul. 15, 2020, granted, now 11,560,225.
Prior Publication US 2023/0056695 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 13/04 (2006.01); B64C 13/50 (2006.01); B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01)
CPC B64C 13/0421 (2018.01) [B64C 13/503 (2013.01); B64C 13/505 (2018.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B64C 29/0033 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional control assembly for an electric aircraft, the three-dimensional control assembly comprising:
an aircraft frame;
a support structure coupled to the aircraft frame; and
a control stick coupled to the support structure and having:
a length and a radius, wherein the control stick is configured to be manipulated:
along a first axis to control a pitch of the electric aircraft;
along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis to control a roll of the electric aircraft; and
rotationally about the length of the control stick to control a yaw of the electric aircraft, wherein the control stick is further configured such that rotation about the length of the control stick in a first direction changes a yaw of the electric aircraft in the first direction, and rotation about the length of the control stick in a second direction changes a yaw of the electric aircraft in the second direction; and
a linear thrust control disposed adjacent an end of the control stick and including:
a thumbwheel configured to control at least a forward thrust propulsor of the electric aircraft; and
a resistance mechanism configured to change a resistance against movement of the linear thrust control based on a rotational position of the control stick.