Patent ID: 6824098
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: B64B,B64C,Y10S

Abstract:
An aircraft comprising an inflatable parafoil wing of gas-impervious compliant material bounded by upper and lower surfaces and leading and trailing edge extremities, and a fuselage suspended beneath said wing, said wing, when inflated with a buoyant gas, expanding in volume to generate sufficient lift to permit vertical ascent of said aircraft, and having an airfoil shape that interacts with an airstream directed against said leading extremity to produce aerodynamic lift, said fuselage comprising pilot accommodating means, an engine, propulsion means driven by said engine, means for transferring buoyant gas between said fuselage and wing, means for compressing said buoyant gas and storing it for re-use, steering controls, and means for engaging a landing surface.