Rotor--aerostat composite aircraft

A method of assembling a composite aircraft comprising an aerostat containing a lighter than air gas for lifting the aircraft and a payload attached to the aircraft, a rotor assembly mounted below and to the aerostat by an axle, a mast mounted collinearly to the axle and extending through and above the aerostat, a control cab mounted to the rotor assembly, and a plurality of sling cables, wherein the rotor assembly is statically mounted to the aerostat in all aspects except rotationally about the axle, the rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of blades, a plurality of winglets, and means for generating rotational thrust, the plurality of blades are mounted radially from the axle and horizontally from an outboard end of the hub, the plurality of winglets are mounted above and below each blade, the rotational thrust generating means is mounted to the outboard end of the hub, and the sling cables connect the plurality of blades to the payload, the method comprising the steps of:

• assembling the components of the rotor assembly;
• connecting the sling cables and the control cab to the rotor assembly;
• and
• connecting the aerostat and the mast to the plurality of blades.

A method of mooring a composite aircraft comprising an aerostat containing a lighter than air gas for lifting the aircraft and a payload attached to the aircraft, a rotor assembly mounted below and to the aerostat by an axle, a mast mounted collinearly to the axle and extending through and above the aerostat, a control cab mounted to the rotor assembly, and a plurality of sling cables, wherein the rotor assembly is statically mounted to the aerostat in all aspects except rotationally about the axle, the rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of blades, a plurality of winglets, and means for generating rotational thrust, the plurality of blades are mounted radially from the axle and horizontally from an outboard end of the hub, the plurality of winglets are mounted above and below each blade, the rotational thrust generating means is mounted to the outboard end of the hub, and the sling cables connect the plurality of blades to the payload, the method comprising the steps of:

• attaching the aircraft to a mooring weight;
• stopping rotation of the aircraft;
• bringing the aircraft close to the ground;
• bringing the control cab close to the ground to permit the crew to disembark;
• attaching a tether line to the aircraft;
• allowing the aircraft to float upward a safe distance from the ground;
• and
• allowing the plurality of blades and winglets to rotate freely to minimize aerodynamic drag.

A method of flying a composite aircraft comprising an aerostat containing a lighter than air gas for lifting the aircraft and a payload attached to the aircraft, a rotor assembly mounted below and to the aerostat by an axle, a mast mounted collinearly to the axle and extending through and above the aerostat, a control cab mounted to the rotor assembly, and a plurality of sling cables, wherein the rotor assembly is statically mounted to the aerostat in all aspects except rotationally about the axle, the rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of blades, a plurality of winglets, and means for generating rotational thrust, the plurality of blades are mounted radially from the axle and horizontally from an outboard end of the hub, the plurality of winglets are mounted above and below each blade, the rotational thrust generating means is mounted to the outboard end of the hub, and the sling cables connect the plurality of blades to the payload, the method comprising the steps of:

• bringing the aircraft close to the ground to allow the crew to board;
• allowing the aircraft to rise a safe distance above the ground for rotation;
• generating torque with the rotational thrust generating means to accelerate the rotational speed of the rotor assembly and overcome aerodynamic drag;
• bringing the rotor assembly to a radial velocity of approximately 4 to 10 times the force of gravity;
• maintaining the radial velocity of the rotor assembly in accordance with the changes in the aerodynamic drag exerted on the aircraft;
• applying a negative angle of attack to the plurality of blades so that the negative lift of the plurality of blades offsets the buoyancy of the aircraft;
• and
• releasing the aircraft from the ground for free flight.

A method of flying a composite aircraft using pendulous stability, the composite aircraft comprising an aerostat containing a lighter than air gas for lifting the aircraft and a payload attached to the aircraft, a rotor assembly mounted below and to the aerostat by an axle, a mast mounted collinearly to the axle and extending through and above the aerostat, a control cab mounted to the rotor assembly, and a plurality of sling cables, wherein the rotor assembly is statically mounted to the aerostat in all aspects except rotationally about the axle, the rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of blades, a plurality of winglets, and means for generating rotational thrust, the plurality of blades are mounted radially from the axle and horizontally from an outboard end of the hub, the plurality of winglets are mounted above and below each blade, the rotational thrust generating means is mounted to the outboard end of the hub, and the sling cables connect the plurality of blades to the payload, the method comprising the steps of:

• rolling the composite aircraft to a roll angle where the moment of the differential lift created by the plurality of blades balances with the moment of the pendulum created by the rotor assembly and payload swinging below the aerostat;
• and
• balancing the slippage created by the roll angle and maintaining the direction of travel of the composite aircraft by generating thrust with the plurality of winglets, wherein pendulous stability enables maximum lift during forward flight, and increases the maximum payload capable of being carried by the composite aircraft.