Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to aligning a taxi-assist camera such that each image frame of real-time video that the camera generates has a standard presentation format. The taxi-assist camera is configured to be mounted on an aircraft and oriented such that each image frame includes both a specific feature of the aircraft and of nearby objects external to the aircraft. The specific feature of the aircraft is detected and a location within the image frame of the specific feature is determined. The determined location within the image frame is compared with a reference location. A transformation operator is generated to transform the image frame such that the specific feature of the aircraft will be located within the image at a location corresponding to the reference location. The transformation operator is then applied to each of the image frames of the real-time video that the camera generates.

Abstract: An alignment system for images produced by cameras externally mounted on an aircraft includes a visual display positioned at a first location in the aircraft (such as a flight deck) and an alignment device positioned at a second location in the aircraft (such as an electronics bay). The visual display displays images provided by the cameras. The alignment device includes a user interface, which includes user inputs for selecting one of the cameras and for aligning an image from the camera selected on the visual display, a depiction of an aircraft, and indicators positioned adjacent the depiction. Each of the indicators represents selection of one of the cameras for aligning the image from that camera on the visual display.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes capturing, by a camera system including at least one camera device positioned within an aircraft, image data of an interior of the aircraft. The method further includes determining, by a processing device positioned within the aircraft, that one or more alert criteria are satisfied, and outputting, in response to determining that the one or more alert criteria are satisfied, at least a portion of the captured image for transmission to a ground-based computing device via a wireless communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the ground-based computing device, a lock override command configured to cause the processing device to unlock an electronically-controlled door lock of a flight deck door of the aircraft, and responsively unlocking the electronically-controlled door lock of the flight deck door.

Abstract: An alignment system for images produced by cameras externally mounted on an aircraft includes a visual display positioned at a first location in the aircraft (such as a flight deck) and an alignment device positioned at a second location in the aircraft (such as an electronics bay). The visual display displays images provided by the cameras. The alignment device includes a user interface, which includes user inputs for selecting one of the cameras and for aligning an image from the camera selected on the visual display, a depiction of an aircraft, and indicators positioned adjacent the depiction. Each of the indicators represents selection of one of the cameras for aligning the image from that camera on the visual display.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to aligning a taxi-assist camera such that each image frame of real-time video that the camera generates has a standard presentation format. The taxi-assist camera is configured to be mounted on an aircraft and oriented such that each image frame includes both a specific feature of the aircraft and of nearby objects external to the aircraft. The specific feature of the aircraft is detected and a location within the image frame of the specific feature is determined. The determined location within the image frame is compared with a reference location. A transformation operator is generated to transform the image frame such that the specific feature of the aircraft will be located within the image at a location corresponding to the reference location. The transformation operator is then applied to each of the image frames of the real-time video that the camera generates.

Abstract: A wing deformation monitoring and analysis system includes at least one image sensor installed on a portion of the aircraft such that at least one wing of the aircraft is located in a field of view (FOV) of the at least one image sensor. The image sensor outputs at least one image signal representing a captured wing image of the at least one wing. An electronic deformation controller is configured to compare the captured wing image to a nominal wing image, determines a deformation of the at least one wing based on the comparison.

Abstract: A wing deformation monitoring and analysis system includes at least one image sensor installed on a portion of the aircraft such that at least one wing of the aircraft is located in a field of view (FOV) of the at least one image sensor. The image sensor outputs at least one image signal representing a captured wing image of the at least one wing. An electronic deformation controller is configured to compare the captured wing image to a nominal wing image, determines a deformation of the at least one wing based on the comparison.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes capturing, by a camera system including at least one camera device positioned within an aircraft, image data of an interior of the aircraft. The method further includes determining, by a processing device positioned within the aircraft, that one or more alert criteria are satisfied, and outputting, in response to determining that the one or more alert criteria are satisfied, at least a portion of the captured image for transmission to a ground-based computing device via a wireless communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the ground-based computing device, a lock override command configured to cause the processing device to unlock an electronically-controlled door lock of a flight deck door of the aircraft, and responsively unlocking the electronically-controlled door lock of the flight deck door.