Patent ID: 8132760
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A method of parachuting items from an aircraft to a ground reception area, the method comprising: determining a release point where the items to be parachuted must be released from the aircraft, the release point depending on a predetermined reception point located on the ground reception area; determining an alignment point that forms with the release point a straight reference line that is parallel with a center line provided on the reception area, the alignment point being located at a predetermined distance from the release point, upstream of the latter in the direction of flight of the aircraft; determining a first end point that is located on the straight reference line downstream of the release point where the release of the items to be parachuted must stop so as to prevent them from overshooting the reception area; and determining a second end point that is located on the straight reference line downstream of the first end point where a parachuting sequence is ended; performing a first parachuting sequence by: determining a flight circuit for the aircraft to return from the second end point to the alignment point and then to follow the straight reference line until it reaches the second end point, wherein the flight circuit is determined by: performing a number n of additional parachuting sequences, n being an integer greater than or equal to 1, by: establishing the total number of parachuting sequences at a time of preparing for a parachuting mission; providing, during each parachuting sequence, an operator an opportunity to modify, before reaching the second end point of the current parachuting sequence, the number of parachuting sequences so as to command an additional parachuting sequence or command an exit from the parachuting sequences and continue a flight plan; and continuing the flight plan, after the second end point has been reached and the parachuting sequences have been completed, wherein: a longitudinal difference and a lateral difference between the release point and the reception point depend on the position of the load to be parachuted inside the aircraft.