Patent ID: 7344109
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: B64C,B64D,B64F,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for transporting passengers and cargo by air and ground, the method comprising the steps of: moving a portable passenger compartment including passengers and passengers' baggage residing therein from a first passenger terminal distant from a first airfield to a second passenger terminal distant from a second airfield, wherein said portable passenger compartment is of universal size and configuration, its structure and exterior fabricated of rigid materials, its dimensions allowing it to be transported on streets and highways, containing a plurality of seats, video displays, accommodations that include storage containers and means for storing, preparing and delivering food and beverages, a plurality of bathrooms, and utilities including electricity, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, water, audio, video, and computer feeds, wherein said passenger terminal comprises a building complex with a plurality of levels providing passenger processing functions including ticketing, check-in, baggage check-in, baggage claim, and baggage conveyance; and moving a portable cargo compartment including cargo residing therein from a first cargo facility distant from the first airfield to a second cargo facility distant from the second airfield, wherein said cargo compartment is of universal size and configuration, its structure and exterior fabricated of rigid materials, its dimensions allowing it to be transported on streets and highways, capable of carrying cargo of a predetermined cubic volume and weight, wherein said cargo facility comprises a building complex with a plurality of levels and plurality of doors providing access to said portable cargo compartment; wherein the step of moving a portable passenger compartment comprises a step of transporting the portable passenger compartment in an aircraft from the first airfield to the second airfield, said aircraft comprises a basic structure containing the nose section, cockpit, wings, engines, tail section, and a hollow fuselage located between said cockpit and tail section, a plurality of aircraft sizes holding a plurality of said portable passenger compartments, said hollow fuselage comprises an internal rigid structure conforming to the shape of said portable passenger compartment, and apparatus enabling said portable passenger compartment to be loaded into, unloaded from, and securely attached to said aircraft; wherein the step of moving a portable cargo compartment comprises a step of transporting the portable cargo compartment in the same aircraft from the first airfield to the second airfield concurrently with the portable passenger compartment; and wherein the first airfield and the second airfield are located in distant geographical areas, said first and second airfield comprises a plurality of take-off and landing runways, taxiways, a plurality of aircraft staging areas to load and unload said portable passenger compartments and said portable cargo compartments into and out of said aircraft, to refuel and service the aircraft during turnaround, and a plurality of said passenger terminals.