Abstract: An air combat control head with an extension provides a head for a collece control stick wherein system control switches may be located for easy access by the operator and an extension comprising a phenolic coated hand grip and a bottom tube component. The hand grip is offset laterally and longitudinally from the bottom tube component, and the head is canted back toward the operator, making the system control switches workable by the operator's thumb while the rest of the operator's hand grips the stick and maintains control of the collective pitch of the main rotor blades. The collective control head of the invention provides a controller that is comfortable for an operator to use, even in extended flight operations, and that reduces fatigue, discomfort and distraction while making system control operations easy and effective.

Abstract: A maneuver envelope warning system for an aircraft having operating limits, operating condition sensors and an indicator driver. The indicator driver has a plurality of visual indicators. The indicator driver determines a relationship between sensed operating conditions and the operating limits; such as, a ratio therebetween. The indicator driver illuminates a number of the indicators in proportion to the determined relationship. The position of the indicators illuminated represents to a pilot in an easily ascertainable manner whether the operational conditions are approaching operational limits of the aircraft, and the degree to which operational conditions lie within or exceed operational limits.