Energy attenuating pod carrier system for vertical lift aircraft

A system, comprising:

• a vertical support base configured for selectively contacting a ground surface and vertically supporting the system, the vertical support base extending along forward and aft directions;
• a first structural component carried by the vertical support base and disposed at least partially higher than the vertical support base;
• a variable length first stabilizing strut having a first end rotatably connected to the first structural component at a first height above a lowest portion of the vertical support base and extending to a second end that is both lower than the first end and forward of the first structural component;
• a variable length energy attenuating strut rotatably connected to the first stabilizing strut, the energy attenuating strut comprising a first end disposed relatively higher than the first end of the first stabilizing strut and a second end disposed relatively lower than the second end of the first stabilizing strut;
• and
• a beam disposed relatively higher than the first end of the first stabilizing strut and rotatably connected to the first end of the energy attenuating strut, the beam extending further forward than the location of the first end of the energy attenuating strut.