Abstract: The invention relates to engine air intakes for aerospace vehicles in which a variable geometry ramp system is employed for matching air intake flow to propulsion engine demand. To alleviate the induced high pressure loads on the ramps and the ramp actuators arising from the air intake flow a reacting pressure is applied to the opposite face of the ramps. The ramp assembly in addition to defining the required air intake duct geometry further defines the adjacent boundary of an enclosure which is pressurized by ram air and vented as required as a function of the load on one of the ramp actuating jacks to give the desired load alleviation.