Abstract: A rotorcraft has a horizontal stabilizer movable about an axis of rotation and a horizontal stabilizer control system configured to control the horizontal stabilizer to at least one of move the rotorcraft into a minimum drag position, maintain the aircraft in a minimum drag position, efficiently achieve a maneuver, enter efficient autorotation, and maintain efficient autorotation.

Abstract: A rotorcraft has a horizontal stabilizer movable about an axis of rotation and a horizontal stabilizer control system configured to control the horizontal stabilizer to at least one of move the rotorcraft into a minimum drag position, maintain the aircraft in a minimum drag position, efficiently achieve a maneuver, enter efficient autorotation, and maintain efficient autorotation.

Abstract: A control system for a rotary wing aircraft having a reconfigurable element. The control system includes a model predictive control module receiving operator commands, objectives and constraints; and a dynamic inversion module receiving an output of the model predictive control module, the dynamic inversion module providing control commands to reconfigure the reconfigurable element of the rotary wing aircraft.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a rotorcraft for sea-based operations includes receiving sensed information indicative of an operation of the rotorcraft; receiving operator commands, ship models and system constraints; and determining a solution to an optimization function that avoids violating the system constraints, the solution being representative of control command signals for augmenting a flight response of the rotorcraft to a ship.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to causing, by a computing device comprising a processor, a rotating tail rotor to operate in a tail rotor mode when an aircraft is operating at a speed less than a rudder control power threshold, receiving, by the computing device, a command that indicates a request to transition the aircraft, determining, by the computing device, that a rudder of the aircraft has control power in an amount greater than a second threshold based on receiving the command, and causing, by the computing device, the rotating tail rotor to operate in a pusher propeller mode based on determining that the rudder has control power in the amount greater than the second threshold.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a rotorcraft for sea-based operations includes receiving sensed information indicative of an operation of the rotorcraft; receiving operator commands, ship models and system constraints; and determining a solution to an optimization function that avoids violating the system constraints, the solution being representative of control command signals for augmenting a flight response of the rotorcraft to a ship.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to causing, by a computing device comprising a processor, a rotating tail rotor to operate in a tail rotor mode when an aircraft is operating at a speed less than a rudder control power threshold, receiving, by the computing device, a command that indicates a request to transition the aircraft, determining, by the computing device, that a rudder of the aircraft has control power in an amount greater than a second threshold based on receiving the command, and causing, by the computing device, the rotating tail rotor to operate in a pusher propeller mode based on determining that the rudder has control power in the amount greater than the second threshold.

Abstract: A control system for a rotary wing aircraft having a reconfigurable element. The control system includes a model predictive control module receiving operator commands, objectives and constraints; and a dynamic inversion module receiving an output of the model predictive control module, the dynamic inversion module providing control commands to reconfigure the reconfigurable element of the rotary wing aircraft.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device is presented herein having improved locking means for locking the forceps in a closed condition. This includes an elongated flexible hollow body portion having a lumen extending therethrough and having a proximal end coupled to a handle and a distal end coupled to a forceps assembly and which includes a pair of forceps. A control wire extends through the lumen in the hollow body portion and is coupled at its proximal end to the handle and at its distal end it is coupled to the forceps assembly. A trigger is connected to the proximal end of the control wire with the trigger being slidably mounted to the handle for slidable movement relative thereto between a rear position, at which the forceps are closed, and a forward position, at which the forceps are open. A releasable locking mechanism serves to normally block forward slidable movement of the trigger from its rear position toward its forward position to thereby prevent the forceps from being actuated to the open condition.