Methods and apparatuses for capturing and storing unmanned aircraft, including methods and apparatuses for securing the aircraft after capture

A method for handling an unmanned aircraft, comprising:

• deploying a flexible recovery line from an extendable boom mounted at least proximate to a support platform, the flexible recovery line being positioned to capture an unmanned aircraft in flight;
• flying the aircraft to directly contact a generally rigid first lifting surface portion of the aircraft with the flexible recovery line while the aircraft is in flight;
• releasably capturing the aircraft in flight with the flexible recovery line;
• while the aircraft is releasably coupled to the flexible recovery line, moving the boom to position the aircraft relative to the support platform;
• releasably securing a second lifting surface portion of the aircraft directly to a securement member positioned at the support platform;
• moving a storage apparatus pivotally up from the support platform to contact a portion of a fuselage of the aircraft;
• and
• releasing the aircraft from the flexible recovery line and the securement member.

An apparatus for handling unmanned aircraft, comprising:

• support means;
• recovery means carried by the support means, the recovery means being positioned to intercept a generally rigid lifting surface of an unmanned aircraft in flight and directly attach to a first portion of the aircraft;
• and
• securement means at least proximate to the support means, the securement means being positioned to releasably and directly secure to a second portion of the aircraft.

An apparatus for handling unmanned aircraft, comprising:

• a support structure;
• a flexible recovery line carried by the support structure and positioned to capture an unmanned aircraft in flight by directly contacting a generally rigid spanwise lifting surface at a first portion of the aircraft;
• and
• a securement member positioned at least proximate to the support structure, the securement member being configured to releasably and directly secure to a second portion of the aircraft.

An apparatus for handling unmanned aircraft, comprising:

• an extendable boom having a first section and a second section, at least one of the first and second sections being movable relative to the other between a retracted position and an extended position;
• a flexible recovery line carried by the extendable boom and positioned to capture an unmanned aircraft in flight by directly contacting a generally rigid first lifting surface portion of the aircraft;
• a securement member positioned at least proximate to the extendable boom to releasably and directly secure a second lifting surface portion of the aircraft while the aircraft is releasably secured to the flexible recovery line;
• and
• a storage apparatus positioned at least proximate to the extendable boom, the storage apparatus being pivotable between a first position and a second position, the storage apparatus in the second position being oriented to contact and releasably attach to a fuselage of the aircraft before the aircraft is released from the flexible recovery line.