Patent ID: 8038090

Claim:
A method of using a first aircraft to retrieve at least one second aircraft onto the first aircraft, comprising the steps of: flying the first aircraft along a first path; extending a tow line from the first aircraft such that the flying of the first aircraft along the first path causes a helical shape to be formed by the extended tow line behind and below the first aircraft; determining a point on the extended tow line at which a tow line speed is substantially equal to a second aircraft speed for each of the at least one second aircraft; adjusting an altitude of the first aircraft or the at least one second aircraft such that an altitude of the point on the extended tow line at which the tow line speed is substantially equal to the at least one second aircraft speed is substantially equal to an altitude of the at least one second aircraft for each of the at least one second aircraft; and securing each of the at least one second aircraft to the extended tow line.