Abstract: A method of calculating a system level air data parameter for an aircraft, for example aircraft angle-of-attack (AOA) and/or angle-of-sideslip (AOS), includes measuring a plurality of local static pressures pi. Next, a plurality of non-dimensional pressure ratios are each generated as a function of one of the plurality of local static pressures pi, a predicted system static pressure Pspredicted, and a predicted impact pressure qc predicted. Then, the system level air data parameter is calculated as a function of the generated plurality of non-dimensional pressure ratios. Air data systems having air data computers configured to implement the method are also disclosed. The air data systems can be Flush Air Data Systems (FADS), or other types of air data systems.

Abstract: Wind indicator apparatus for indicating air flow comprising: a direction pointer, including a vane member, for providing a visible indication of air flow direction; pivoting means including a fixed portion for coupling to a sailing craft and a pivotable portion able to pivot with respect to said fixed portion and with which said direction pointer is entrained for movement therewith; and a counterbalance extending from said pivotable portion of said pivoting means and arranged to move therewith, the mass of the counterbalance being disposed so as to maintain the direction pointer in a substantially level position.

Abstract: Sensor structure of a flow body protruding into a current for carrying out measurements of flow states, containing a structural part (1) with at least two measuring orifices (5), to which transfer lines (7) are coupled, which guide the flow medium from the measuring orifices (5) to a pressure converter system (13) for the purpose of determining the flow states. The outer shell (3) of the structural part (1) contains two areas (21, 22), which are arranged behind each other viewed in the direction of flow, wherein the first area (21) has greater thermal conductivity than the second area (22). Within the first area (21) heating elements (31) are arranged on the structural part (1), and are connected with a temperature control circuit with the temperature on the surface of the first area (21) as a control variable.

Abstract: Pressure testing assemblies for use in flow bodies, testing systems, and methods of testing flow bodies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pressure testing assembly includes a support member and a plurality of electronic pressure-sensing modules detachably coupled to the support member. The support member includes a plurality of first ports, a plurality of second ports, and a plurality of passageways connecting the first ports to corresponding second ports. The first ports are arranged for attachment to corresponding pressure ports on the flow body. The pressure-sensing modules are positioned at corresponding groups of second ports to measure the pressure at the pressure ports on the flow body.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method of electrical testing especially useful for verifying normal performance of essential functions in an aircraft atmospheric pressure responsive auxiliary altimeter under either of flight line or maintenance shop conditions. The tester provides electrical power and control signals needed to energize each of three functions in the considered altimeter instrument including instrument face illumination, altimeter stiction-limiting mechanical vibration generation, aircraft output signal generating potentiometer function and enables electrical current and voltage monitoring relating to the instrument functions being tested. Replacement of individual test instruments and other informal test apparatus with a convenient and probably more electrical accident-free integrated tester is contemplated.

Abstract: A system for determining physical characteristics of an incident flow stream over a surface of a vehicle includes a plurality of acoustic sensors mounted to the surface and configured to sense pressure fluctuations caused by the incident flow stream. The plurality of acoustic sensors provide output signals indicative of the sensed pressure fluctuations. Processing circuitry coupled to the plurality of acoustic sensors, measures flow velocity in a first direction as a function of the output signals of at least two of the plurality of acoustic sensors, and measures flow velocity in a second direction as a function of the output signals of at least two of the plurality of acoustic sensors. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an angular direction of flow as a function of the first and second measured flow velocities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunction probe for aircraft. The probe has a mobile vane intended to align with the axis of an air flow around the probe. The mobile vane comprises first pressure pickup means for measuring the total pressure of the flow and second pressure pickup means for measuring the static pressure of the flow. The mobile vane furthermore has a profile whose flexure is variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining total temperature for aircraft. This device is particularly useful in a probe, called a multifunction probe, for measuring several aerodynamic parameters such as, for example, the total pressure (Pt), the static pressure (Ps) and the total temperature (TT) of an airflow surrounding the aircraft. The device includes a deiced temperature probe. To obtain the total temperature (TTcorrected) of the airflow, the temperature (TTmeasured) recorded by the temperature probe is corrected as a function of the upstream infinity parameters (M?, Pt?, Ps?) of the aircraft and of the power (P) dissipated in the probe in order to deice it.

Abstract: A method for coupling components of a fluid sensor assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of providing a body portion of a fluid sensor assembly with a joining section that has a mating surface, providing a head portion of a fluid sensor assembly with a joining section that has a mating surface, introducing the mating surface of the body portion joining section to the mating surface of the head portion joining section to define a overlapping configuration, providing a first magnetic field that opposes a second magnetic field to produce a force field, exposing the overlapped configuration to the force field that surpasses both joining sections' material yield strength without causing either joining section's material to flow and coupling together the mating surfaces of both joining sections of the overlapped configuration with the force field to form a fluid sensor assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multifunction probe for aircraft. The probe measures the total pressure and measures the total temperature of an air flow surrounding the aircraft. The total pressure is measured by a first tube, the so-called Pitot tube oriented substantially along the axis of the air flow surrounding the aircraft, the total temperature is measured by a second tube open to the air flow and oriented substantially in the axis of the air flow. The first tube is situated inside the second tube. The invention also concerns a process for shaping a heating wire forming means of deicing of the multifunction probe. The process includes: winding the heating wire helically around a first mandrel, inserting the first mandrel into a second hollow mandrel, continuing the winding of the heating wire around the second mandrel, and placing the heating wire, thus formed, inside the two tubes and being fixed therein.

Abstract: A measuring segment is integrally formed in a wing model. A plurality of thin membranes are formed on a surface of the measuring segment at predetermined intervals in a cord direction with a distortion gauge fixed to a back face of each of the plurality of thin membranes to output an electric signal upon distortion. The electric signals are converted by a pressure conversion means into pressures, thereby measuring a pressure distribution in an airflow direction. It is possible to prevent the generation of a step or a gap which affects an airflow along the surface of the measuring segment, thereby improving accuracy. The measuring segment is integrally molded by an optical molding method to form a complicated shape with a high accuracy and a low cost. Further, a plurality of the measuring segments may be disposed at intervals in a span direction for measuring pressure distributions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for determining aerodynamic parameters of an airflow surrounding an aircraft. On the basis of at least two probes situated on the skin of the aircraft, each probe comprising means for measuring the local angle of attack (?loc i, ?loc j), the process consists in determining the angle of attack (?) and/or sideslip (?) of the aircraft, as a function of the local angle of attack of each probe and of the aerodynamic field of the aircraft. The invention also pertains to a process for detecting a fault with a probe used to determine the aerodynamic parameters of the airflow surrounding an aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement of the total pressure of a fluid flow, especially the total pressure of the airflow surrounding an aircraft. The invention proposes to replace a pitot tube with a device in which at least two fluid streams are taken off from the flow. These streams are brought into contact with each other so as to be mutually slowed down in a region (11) where the pressure is measured. This measured pressure is representative of the total pressure (Pt).

Abstract: A method of making a gaseous fluid data sensor assembly for acquiring data regarding the ambient environment adjacent a surface of an airframe with adjacent air speeds below 40 knots (or another aerodynamic structure with low speed gaseous fluid flow adjacent thereto) having a flexible substrate adhesively conforming to the airframe surface, a conformable cover layer and a relatively thin air data sensor for sensing air pressure between the substrate and the cover layer. The method includes forming a flexible printed circuit on a polymeric film, attaching thin air data sensor to the printed circuit and attaching a flexible substrate to form a conformal air data sensor. The method may also include attaching a data acquisition circuit to the printed circuit and may still further include providing an optical interconnection between the air data sensor and the data acquisition circuit.

Abstract: A control surface controller force measurement system for an aircraft is provided and includes a control surface interface for positioning the aerodynamic control surfaces on an aircraft. The control surface interface transfers mechanical force to an articulated crank, which supplies the flight control system with the desired position of the control surface. The articulated crank has a first mechanical link that is pivotable about a first pivot and a second mechanical link interconnecting the control surface interface to the first mechanical link. The second mechanical link is pivotable with respect to the control surface interface at a second pivot. A force transducer interconnects the first and second mechanical links independent of the second pivot such that the mechanical force applied to the control surface interface is represented by an electrical signal output of the force transducer.

Abstract: A dynamic wake avoidance system utilizes aircraft and atmospheric parameters readily available in flight to model and predict airborne wake vortices in real time. A novel combination of algorithms allows for a relatively simple yet robust wake model to be constructed based on information extracted from a broadcast. The system predicts the location and movement of the wake based on the nominal wake model and correspondingly performs an uncertainty analysis on the wake model to determine a wake hazard zone (no fly zone), which comprises a plurality of “wake planes,” each moving independently from another. The system selectively adjusts dimensions of each wake plane to minimize spatial and temporal uncertainty, thereby ensuring that the actual wake is within the wake hazard zone. The predicted wake hazard zone is communicated in real time directly to a user via a realistic visual representation.

Abstract: A method of measuring the vapor-liquid boundary surrounding a supercavitational high speed underwater vehicle includes the steps of arranging a sensor on a surface of the vehicle. The sensor has a transmit source for emitting an optical signal and a plurality of optical detectors for receiving a reflected optical signal. The reflected optical signal is detected with one of the optical detectors, and a duration of time between the emitting of the optical signal and the receiving of the reflected optical signal is measured. The method determines a separation distance from the transmit source to the receiving optical detector. The duration of time and the separation distance are combined to compute a boundary distance.

Abstract: A method for synthetically calculating redundant attitude and redundant heading for an aircraft using data existing in the aircraft, including angular rates p, q, r around x-, y- and z-coordinates of an aircraft-fixed (body frame) coordinate system, air data information including speed, altitude and angle of attack, includes the steps of calculating attitude and heading based on the body-frame angular rates p, q, r, estimating errors in measured body-frame magnetic field vector components, deriving a measured body-frame field magnetic field vector, estimating errors in calculated attitude and heading using the air data and the derived measured body-frame magnetic field vector components, and correcting the calculated attitude and heading using the estimated errors in attitude and heading.

Abstract: A multi-function air data sensing probe has a strut that is mounted on an aircraft and extends laterally from the aircraft skin. The strut is supported on a base plate, and has a pitot pressure sensing tube at the outer end thereof, with a pitot port facing upstream, and also includes a passageway for total air temperature sensor including a forwardly facing inlet scoop that leads to a chamber in the strut that is laterally offset from the inlet scoop so that flow changes direction as it enters the chamber. The surface defining the change of direction between the scoop and the chamber is provided with bleed holes for bleeding off boundary layer air. A vane type air data sensor is mounted on a shaft that rotates freely and is supported on the strut, and is positioned to sense the relative air flow past the strut to determine changes of relative angles of such air flow. In addition, the strut has static pressure sensing ports on lateral sides thereof leading to a separate chamber on the interior of the strut.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting hazardous materials is mounted on an aircraft and has a sensor, a heading unit, a transceiver and a GPS unit. The sensor has an airfoil shaped probe and an electronics module. The probe has a positive airflow, enclosed sensing chamber with a hazardous material sensing element. The system for detecting hazardous materials includes aircraft with the hazardous material detecting apparatus and a ground network. The method for detecting hazardous materials includes the steps of providing aircraft with hazardous material sensing apparatus and a ground network, collecting hazardous material and atmospheric data with the sensing apparatus, transmitting the position, wind velocity and hazardous material data to the ground network, calculating distribution of hazardous materials in the atmosphere, generating a real-time map of distribution of hazardous materials and predicting dispersion of the hazardous materials in the atmosphere.

Abstract: Weather vanes (1) are delicate instruments partially exposed to external conditions. They are used in particular in the aeronautical industry. The measurements provided by these weather vanes are crucial to the flying of an aircraft. A type of weather vane is proposed in which a vane can be changed. Changing the vane entails adjusting the orientation sensors (3). To perform this adjustment, use is made of a factory setting rig (16) that allows the various parts of the weather vane to be placed in a characteristic position.

Abstract: A static pressure sensing probe has an aerodynamically shaped cross section, and extends laterally from an aircraft surface sufficiently so that an outer end of the probe is a short distance outside the boundary layer on the aircraft surface on which the probe is mounted. The probe has surface corrugations or ridges along the probe, and the ridges include an upstream ridge adjacent the leading edge, and a downstream ridge spaced rearwardly from the upstream ridge. The ridges cause pressure disturbances along the probe surfaces. Static pressure sensing ports are positioned on the surfaces of the probe relative to the ridges in regions of pressure disturbances caused by the ridges. The probes can be mounted on opposite sides of the aircraft and pneumatically or electrically connected to average the pressures from selected sets of ports.

Abstract: A marine sensor device mounts in a single opening in a hull of a marine vessel. The sensor includes a housing secured in the opening. Positioned within the housing is a body containing at least two sensors. The body is removable from the housing. A magnetized paddlewheel can be disposed in a first cavity formed on a first half of the body, the paddlewheel has a plurality of paddles extending from a circular central hub and rotatably mounted on an axle extending transverse a fore and aft direction of travel of the vessel. A magnetic sensor can be located adjacent the paddles, the magnetic sensor senses the rotation of the paddles and provides speed indications. The magnetic sensor can be a Hall-effect device. A sonic transducer for depth detection can be disposed within a second cavity formed on a second half of the body. A thermal sensor for sensing water temperature can be disposed in a well formed in the body.

Abstract: Since, as a rule, there are several such PSTs on an aircraft, this results in a marked reduction in weight and aerodynamic drag, and savings in the required electric power in conjunction with a simultaneous increase in the accuracy of measurement of the angle of attack. All this permits a substantial increase in the competitiveness of the proposed fuselage Pitot-static tube.

Abstract: In an aircraft flight instrument display system having a display screen for displaying flight information, an airspeed indicator is displayed in a vertical tape format, and has a low speed range indicator with a low speed range identified on the airspeed indicator by highlighting the low speed range, and has at least a settable indicator within the low speed range indicating a critical airspeed. The low speed range indicator and the critical airspeed indicator are both set with only manual inputs.

Abstract: A device for the in situ angular positioning of an incidence probe, e.g., of the weather vane type, equipped with a vane and mounted, e.g., on an airplane. According to the device, the axis of rotation of the probe is used directly as a positioning reference. The angular-positioning device include a fixed structure secured to the wall of the airplane, of annular shape and including a circular track for a moving slider. The vane is immobilized in an enveloping structure. A coupling member coupling the slider and the enveloping structure is fixed to the enveloping structure. Coupling is afforded by a flat spring leaf including a stud at its end. The stud is slipped into a slit of the slider, which allows the vane to be driven about its axis of rotation. The position is measured using a digital inclinometer.

Abstract: A method for synthetically calculating redundant attitude and redundant heading for an aircraft using data existing in the aircraft, including angular rates p, q, r around x-, y- and z-coordinates of an aircraft-fixed (body frame) coordinate system, air data information including speed, altitude and angle of attack, includes the steps of calculating attitude and heading based on the body-frame angular rates p, q, r, estimating errors in measured body-frame magnetic field vector components, deriving a measured body-frame field magnetic field vector, estimating errors in calculated attitude and heading using the air data and the derived measured body-frame magnetic field vector components, and correcting the calculated attitude and heading using the estimated errors in attitude and heading.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multifunction probe for aircraft. The probe comprises means for measuring the total pressure and means for measuring the total temperature of an air flow surrounding the aircraft. The means for measuring the total pressure comprise a first tube the so-called Pitot tube oriented substantially along the axis of the air flow surrounding the aircraft and the means for measuring the total temperature comprise a second tube open to the air flow and oriented substantially in the axis of the air flow. The first tube is situated inside the second tube. The invention also concerns a process for shaping a heating wire forming means of deicing of the multifunction probe. The process includes: winding the heating wire helically around a first mandrel, inserting the first mandrel into a second hollow mandrel, continuing the winding of the heating wire around the second mandrel, and placing the heating wire, thus formed, inside the two tubes and being fixed therein.

Abstract: A probe for an aircraft, making it possible in particular to measure the total temperature of the air flow surrounding the aircraft. The probe includes a moving vane configured to orientate itself in the axis of an air flow surrounding the moving vane and, fixed to the moving vane, a device for measuring the total temperature of the air flow.

Abstract: A Pitot-Static tube including three groups of orifices for determining the total pressure, static pressure and angle of attack, an axially symmetric body and a strut for fastening to pneumatic paths arranged between them and to electric heating elements. In order to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the Pitot-Static tube and the power required for heating the anti-icing system, the orifices for measuring the static pressure are arranged on a plate upstream of the strut.

Abstract: A total air temperature sensor probe samples the air stream surrounding an aircraft in flight, and includes a duct carrying a fluid flow a portion of which is diverted to a primary chamber mounting a total air temperature sensor. A secondary chamber has a secondary sensor for sensing a different property of a sampled air stream. The secondary chamber is open to receive air flow from passageways in the total air temperature probe.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for synthetically calculating redundant attitude and redundant heading by means of existing data in an aircraft. In one embodiment the heading of the aircraft is available and in another embodiment the heading is calculated from a magnetic heading sensor. When the heading is available (redundant heading) attitude is calculated by weighting together the signals from and angular rate gyros (2) in the aircraft's flight control system, information from air data (altitude, speed, angle of attack) as well as information about heading (redundant heading). When the heading is not available, attitude and heading are calculated in one embodiment with the aid of Kalman filters (11, 22) by weighting together the signals from the angular rate gyros in the aircraft's control system, information from air data (altitude, speed, angle of attack and sideslip angle) as well as information from a magnetic heading detector existing in the aircraft.

Abstract: A weather station with at least one element mounted on bearings on a housing or rack on a vertical axis for alignment with the direction of the wind and with a measuring device, which depending on the angle position of the element aligning in the direction of the wind provides an electrical signal, wherein the measuring device is an opto electric measuring device with at least two light paths. Each of the at least two light paths has its own light-emitting element and which have a common light detector and form a light path configuration, each light path is used to scan a group of markings, which are located around an axis of at least one screen in such a manner that the markings provide a code when scanning that defines the angle area of the position of the element aligning with the direction of the wind. The light-emitting elements determine the angle position of the element aligning with the direction of the wind.

Abstract: To provide a movement-detecting altimeter designed so as to be capable of avoiding excessive accumulation of errors. The movement-detecting altimeter has a movement dependent altitude updating unit which updates an indicated altitude when a moving condition is maintained, and which avoids updating of the indicated altitude when the moving condition is not maintained.

Abstract: A vane designed to get oriented in the axis of an ambient airflow. The vane allows for the intake of differential pressure presenting the aerodynamic incidence &agr; of the vane. According to the invention, the differential pressure intake is balanced when the vane is oriented naturally in the axis of the airflow.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for determining aerodynamic parameters of an airflow surrounding an aircraft. On the basis of at least two probes situated on the skin of the aircraft, each probe comprising means for measuring the local angle of attack (&agr;loc i, &agr;loc j), the process consists in determining the angle of attack (&agr;) and/or sideslip (&bgr;) of the aircraft, as a function of the local angle of attack of each probe and of the aerodynamic field of the aircraft. The invention also pertains to a process for detecting a fault with a probe used to determine the aerodynamic parameters of the airflow surrounding an aircraft.

Abstract: An air data sensor for an aircraft has a flush mounted plate at the outside surface of the aircraft and a housing for the sensor within the aircraft below the plate. A plurality of holes in the plate provide air flow to a pressure sensor in the housing. To prevent water from reaching the sensor, a trap chamber is provided below the holes. Various contorted air flow paths are disclosed. The tube to the pressure sensor may be heated.

Abstract: A system for providing independent and dissimilar aircraft parameter estimations includes first and second dual-channel electronic multi-function probes (MFPs) positionable adjacent an aircraft skin. Each dual-channel electronic MFP has pressure sensing ports and an electronics housing. Located within the electronics housing of each dual-channel electronic MFP are first and second electronics channels. The first electronics channel of the first dual-channel electronic MFP is electrically coupled with the first electronics channel of the second dual-channel electronic MFP can provide a first air data system providing aircraft parameter estimations. The second electronics channel of the first dual-channel electronic MFP can be electrically coupled with the second electronics channel of the second dual-channel electronic MFP to provide a second air data system providing aircraft parameter estimations. The first and second air data systems are independent and dissimilar from one another.

Abstract: A gaseous fluid data sensor assembly for acquiring data regarding the ambient environment adjacent a surface of an airframe with adjacent air speeds below 40 knots (or another aerodynamic structure with low speed gaseous fluid flow adjacent thereto) having a flexible substrate adhesively conforming to the airframe surface, a conformable cover layer and a relatively thin air data sensor for sensing air pressure between the substrate and the cover layer. The assembly also includes a fiber optic communication link, a battery, a data acquisition subsystem, and a flexible printed circuit, all between the substrate and the cover layer. The cover layer is formed of a polymer film.

Abstract: Wind direction relative to an aircraft, wind speed and left/right wind correction angle data are derived and serially transmitted to an instrument panel indicator which simultaneously displays such data in a graphic visual format. A simple 2-wire interface provides both power and data to the indicator which includes on-board data processing/display driver capability on one side of a PCB with the driven display elements on the other side of the PCB. The entire integrated driver display unit can be made quite small and adhesively mounted in virtually any desired location (e.g., even on a portion of another instrument face) and connected to the power/data source via an almost transparent 2-conductor umbilical connection.

Abstract: Air device for measuring flight conditions for flight vehicles has a probe carrier that is arranged on a structural part of the flight vehicle and is rotationally symmetrical at least at a transition boundary. The probe carrier is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and is disposed on the structural part of the flight vehicle via a bearing, and its mass, is balanced about its longitudinal axis. The angle of rotation of the probe is measurable by way of a measuring sensor. At least two strakes are arranged on the probe symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the probe, so that the yaw angle &bgr;s of the probe is minimized at every oncoming flow condition. At least three pressure measuring bores are provided on the probe surface for detecting differential and absolute pressures via differential pressure sensors assigned to them.

Abstract: An angle of attack sensor has a vane mounted on a rotating shaft that rotates in response to angle of attack. The shaft has a rotor at one end which is in a chamber in a housing supporting the shaft. The chamber includes a space around the rotor filled with either an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid. A controller is used to provide an electrical signal, such as a signal controlling an electromagnet, to change the magnetic field affecting the fluid in response to various aircraft parameters to thereby control the viscosity of the electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid in the chamber and control the amount of damping of the rotating vane.

Abstract: A multi-function probe system that provides redundancy for measurements and compensates for effects of sideslip of an aircraft includes at least two probes that are symmetrically located on the opposite sides of the aircraft, and a third probe mounted on the centerline of the aircraft positioned to directly measure local sideslip with ports that are positioned on opposite sides of the center plane of the aircraft. Each of the probes includes self contained instrumentation for providing signals indicating various pressures. The local angle of sideslip sensed by the third probe is used as a compensation for pressure readings at either of the other probes for determining actual angle of attack, and static pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus measuring the temperature and/or pressure of an exhaust gas plume from a supersonic military jet engine. The apparatus includes a rotatable airfoil having one or more sensors that are impinged by the exhaust gas flow path prior to the exhaust gas flowing over the airfoil. At least one base is attached and adapted to be mounted to a supporting surface for locating the airfoil rearward of the exhaust gas plume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuselage Pitot-static tube comprising three groups of orifices for determining the total pressure (2), static pressure (3) and angle of attack (6, 7), and an axisymmetric body (1) and strut (5) for mounting an anti-icing system having, arranged between them, airways (10) and electric heating elements (8). The orifices for determining the angle of attack are arranged on the strut, whose cross section is constructed in the form of a subsonic aerodynamic profile with a rounded-off nose or a tapered nose, and are arranged between the nose of the profile and the position of its maximum thickness.

Abstract: An air data sensor for an aircraft has a flush mounted plate at the outside surface of the aircraft and a housing for the sensor within the aircraft below the plate. A plurality of holes in the plate provide air flow to a pressure sensor in the housing. To prevent water from reaching the sensor, a trap chamber is provided below the holes. Various contorted air flow paths are disclosed. The tube to the pressure sensor may be heated.

Abstract: A measuring system for determining an air data for an aircraft includes a measuring device for determining measured variables which are a function of the resulting flow vector and the inertia forces acting on a front fuselage section in relation to a rear fuselage section, an acceleration transducer, and an evaluation unit for determining the air data from the measured variables. A storage unit has stored calibration curves for determining an appropriate set of air data by selecting that calibration curve which is most similar to a curve formed from the measured variables.

Abstract: A method of the invention allows the determination of aircraft sideslip using an air data probe and an inertial reference unit. A lateral sideslip component &bgr;L of the aircraft is calculated as a function of inertial flight information. An angular sideslip component &bgr;A of the aircraft is also calculated as a function of inertial flight information. The lateral sideslip component &bgr;L and the angular sideslip component &bgr;A are combined to obtain a total sideslip angle &bgr;TOTAL for the aircraft. The total sideslip angle &bgr;TOTAL can be used to compensate static pressure, angle of attack and other aircraft parameters for sideslip effects.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a probe for an aircraft, making it possible in particular to measure the total temperature of the air flow surrounding the aircraft. The probe comprises a moving vane (1) intended to orientate itself in the axis (8) of an air flow surrounding the moving vane (1) and, fixed to the moving vane, means (10, 13, 16) for measuring the total temperature of the air flow.

Abstract: A first cylinder drives a flap to a predetermined down position. Strain gages detect strains at each part of the flap while a load that corresponds to the down position is applied to the flap by a second cylinder that has been moved by an XY table so as to track the down position. Accordingly, actual aerodynamic forces are precisely reproduced by applying a load having a size and a direction that correspond to the down position of the flap. Thus, a stationary load test, a dynamic load test, and a durability test of the flap can be carried out automatically with a small effort and in a short time.