CPC B63C 9/01 (2013.01) [B64D 1/22 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method for extracting a rescue subject from a surface position, comprising:
lowering a rescue pod having an enclosed compartment with a door from an aircraft, the rescue pod having a main parachute and a control system with wireless communication circuitry, the rescue pod connected by a tether to apparatus with a winch in the aircraft;
controllably releasing the tether from the winch in the aircraft while maneuvering the aircraft into a circular orbit at a specific altitude, diameter and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a descending spiral configuration with the rescue pod descending along a vertical centerline of the circular orbit;
lowering the rescue pod to the surface position;
loading the rescue subject into the enclosed compartment; and
lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch or altering the path and speed of the aircraft, or both, to gradually increase tension in the tether lifting the rescue pod from the surface position.
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