Abstract: An aircraft restraining system is utilised for securing and handling an aircraft on the deck of a ship. The system includes two elongate restraining beams which ere transversely movable from respective storage positions for engaging at least two spaced portions of an aircraft, such as wheel spurs. Each restraining beam includes a restraining member, such as a latch arrangement, for engaging the wheel spurs and restricting longitudinal movement of the spurs, and thus of the aircraft. At least one of the latches is movable along the respective beam to permit a secured aircraft to be rotated on the deck.

Abstract: There is provided aircraft securing apparatus for securing an aircraft against toppling on the deck of a ship or the like. The apparatus includes a rotatable arm pivotal in a plane substantially parallel to the deck to engage a downwardly-projecting probe of an aircraft. A releasable clamp is mounted on the arm and is adapted to be slidable from a stored position to a probe-engaging position, and a sensor is provided on the arm for sensing engagement of the probe by the arm and actuating locking of the clamp about the probe. A drive motor is provided for effecting rotation of the arm.

Abstract: A traversing system for handling aircraft, such as helicopters, on a ship comprises a rail (4) leading to the landing area; a shuttle (8) which moves along the rail and has forward and aft location slots (70,72) together with forward and aft guide pulleys (75,77) for respective handling wires; and a yoke (6), which is attached to the aircraft wheels (40), comprising a forward location pin (36) which can engage the shuttle forward location slot (70), an aft location pin (37) which can engage the shuttle aft location slot (72) and is mounted on a slidable block (32) which slides backwards and forwards on the yoke. The hauling wires (10c, 10b) pass through the guide pulleys on the shuttle and are attached to respective forward and aft positions (26,24) on the yoke, after the yoke has been attached to the aircraft wheels. The aft wire (10b) is then hauled by a winch to pull the yoke (and aircraft) until the aft pin (37) engages the aft slot (72).

Abstract: An aircraft handling system comprises a plurality of hydraulically operated winches, each winch having a wire for connection to the aircraft. Each winch also has a dedicated hydraulic pumpset positioned in proximity thereto. An electrical control unit effects co-operating operation of the winches in order to effect the desired movement and control of the aircraft. The tension in the wire of at least one of said winches is detected, and in response thereto an electrical signal is transmitted to the control unit. An electrical control signal is then transmitted from the control unit to the other winch or winches in order to control the tension in their wires in relation to the wire tension detected in the first winch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a back tension device for a winch and comprises a freely rotatable pulley having associated therewith a pivotable tensioning element which is adapted to be urged into engagement with a cable from the winch so as to apply a back tension thereto during the hauling mode. Such tensioning assists in correct winding of the cable on the winch drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for positioning aircraft, the apparatus comprising a launching grid (11) into which a harpoon (12) or the like of an aircraft can be located. The launching grid (11) has an associated lateral adjustable alignment means (16, 17) onto which the main wheels (14, 15) of the aircraft can be located. The aligning means (16, 17) can then be adjusted to move the main wheels of the aircraft into a desired position.