Patent ID: 7946530

Claim:
A method of transporting by air a variety of enclosed rigid modular cabins comprising: a parent vehicle, said modular cabins attachable and detachable from said parent vehicle, said parent vehicle and said modular cabin combining through respective electrical connectors and attachment means to form an integrated composite aircraft, said parent vehicle being a common use rotary wing aircraft platform comprising aircraft propulsion means, fuel, main rotor, tail rotor, cockpit, flight controls, aircraft systems, avionics, electrical system and aircraft connectors, landing gear, and attachment and release means, said attachment and release means comprising a pair of complementary nonlocking mating devices attached respectively to said parent vehicle and said modular cabin, and said mating devices being held in place by a laterally flexible attachment and release device, said method of transporting said modular cabins comprising the steps of: a. mating said parent vehicle and said modular cabin while on the ground by means of said nonlocking mating devices, b. attaching said parent vehicle and said modular cabin by means of said laterally flexible attachment and release device, c. connecting electrical and aircraft systems in said parent vehicle and said modular cabin with respective connectors to operate as a composite aircraft, d. providing the power and lift means to control and fly said composite aircraft, e. piloting said composite aircraft with an appropriate modular cabin to perform a specific flight mission, f. landing said composite aircraft at desired location g. disconnecting said electrical and aircraft connections between said parent vehicle and said modular cabin, h. releasing said laterally flexible attachment and release device between said parent vehicle and said modular cabin, i. separating said parent vehicle from said modular cabin, and j. mating, connecting and operating said parent vehicle with another modular cabin.