Aircraft launching systems and methods

An aircraft launching method, comprising:

• removably coupling an aircraft to a first tether of a first lifting sub-system;
• coupling the first lifting sub-system to a second tether of a second lifting sub-system;
• lifting, independently by the first lifting sub-system, the aircraft to a first altitude off and above ground;
• lifting, by the second lifting sub-system, the first lifting sub-system and the aircraft off and above the ground so that the aircraft is at a second altitude that is greater than the first altitude;
• selectively deploying the first tether in relation to the first lifting sub-system;
• and
• selectively deploying the second tether in relation to the second lifting sub-system.

An aircraft launching system, comprising:

• a first lifting sub-system including a first tether that removably couples to an aircraft, wherein the first tether is selectively deployable in relation to the first lifting sub-system;
• a second lifting sub-system including a second tether that couples the first lifting sub-system to the second lifting sub-system, wherein the second tether is selectively deployable in relation to the second lifting sub-system;
• and
• a power source that supplies power to one or both of the first lifting sub-system or the second lifting sub-system, wherein the aircraft receives power from the power source,
• wherein the first lifting sub-system is configured to independently lift the aircraft off and above ground to a first altitude,
• wherein the second lifting sub-system is configured to lift the first lifting sub-system and the aircraft off and above the ground so that the aircraft is at a second altitude that is greater than the first altitude,
• wherein the aircraft is operated to reach a launch airspeed at the second altitude and detach from the first tether after reaching the launch airspeed.