Multicopter-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft

A method of launching a fixed-wing aircraft comprising:

• releasably engaging a fixed-wing aircraft to a fixed-wing aircraft engager of a multicopter;
• ascending the combined multicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to a predetermined height;
• achieving, by the combined multicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, forward airspeed with yaw stability provided by one or more vertical stabilizers of the multicopter;
• and
• releasing the fixed-wing aircraft into free wingborne flight, wherein the fixed-wing aircraft is aligned with airflow around the combined multicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.

A multicopter comprising:

• a hub;
• a fixed-wing aircraft engager extending from the hub;
• four arms attachable to the hub, each arm including a rotor and a rotor motor drivingly engaged to the rotor;
• a first vertical stabilizer attached to a first arm of the four arms;
• and
• a second vertical stabilizer attached to a second arm of the four arms,
• wherein the first and second vertical stabilizers are configured to orient the multicopter into airflow about the yaw axis.