Payload delivery system with spool braking device

An apparatus comprising:

• a support structure;
• at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement, of the at least one shaft from a resting position;
• a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload;
• at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby affecting a descent rate of the payload;
• wherein the spool is shaped for insertion through an opening in the support structure;
• and
• wherein the at least one swing arm is configured to (i) move the at least one shaft upward while the spool passes through the opening of the support structure and (ii) after the spool passes through the opening, move the at least one shaft back to the resting position so that the spool rests on the at least one shaft.