Aircraft ferrying system and method thereof

A method of ferrying a least one aircraft by a ferrying aircraft from a first point to a second point, the method comprising the steps of:

• flying the at least one aircraft and ferrying aircraft;
• while in flight at the first point, joining a wing tip of the at least one aircraft to one of the wing tips of ferrying aircraft;
• controlling the flight characteristics of the joined at least one aircraft such that the at least one aircraft and ferrying aircraft become a single aircraft controlled by the ferrying aircraft as the jointed aircraft fly toward the second point;
• and
• disconnecting the at least one aircraft when the ferrying aircraft is not controllable with the at least one aircraft attached.

An aircraft system comprising:

• a ferrying aircraft having a vehicle management system;
• at least one ferried aircraft having vehicle management system;
• attachment means for joining a wing tip of the said at least one aircraft to one of the wing tips of said ferrying aircraft;
• and
• control means mounted in said ferrying aircraft for controlling said at least one aircraft and said ferrying aircraft such that said at least one aircraft flight characteristics are controlled by said ferrying aircraft, wherein the control means includes logic for disconnecting the at least one aircraft when the ferrying aircraft is not controllable with the at least one aircraft attached.