Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for an airport ground support equipment navigation system. In one embodiment, a computer can be trained to recognize obstacles and navigate ground support equipment along an airport apron, to identify obstacles along a path or route, and to determine how to control the ground support equipment to safely navigate the obstacles to reach its intended target at a designated time. The computer also can provide a graphical user interface to a display. The graphical user interface can include visual indications providing information to a user about an obstacle along a route of the vehicle on the airport apron and how the vehicle may safely continue on along the route while avoiding the obstacle. In some implementations, the computer may autonomously control the vehicle and drivers may override the computer.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a galley lift. In one embodiment, the galley lift includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion can have a lift platform and a lift platform ram extension. The lower portion can have a lift mechanism and a ram. In some embodiments, the lift platform ram extension is attached to the ram.

Abstract: An attachment device that includes an attachment body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to receive an applicator to mark a target. The attachment body further includes an engagement tab disposed between the proximal end and distal end. The engagement tab is configured to engage a tip of a borescope.

Abstract: A wire connector strain relief apparatus is provided herein. The wire connector strain relief apparatus includes a body having a generally U-shaped cross-section, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the body is configured to receive a wire harness that includes one or more wires to be, or already, connected to an electrical connector. The second end of the body includes one or more structural features configured to engage with one or more structural features of an external surface of the electrical connector to attach to the electrical connector and minimize relative movement between the wire harness and the electrical connector.

Abstract: A lightning grounding apparatus that includes a pivot arm and an electrical grounding element at the distal end of the pivot arm. An actuator is mechanically coupled to the pivot arm and configured to rotate the pivot arm about an axis so as to swing the distal end of the pivot arm between a retracted position and an extended position that is configured to make physical contact between the electrical grounding element and a surface of a structure to be grounded. A limit switch is provided that is mounted on the pivot arm, and is responsive to a position of a limit switch operating arm. The limit switch operating arm is configured to trip the limit switch in response to a predetermined amount of force against the distal end of the pivot arm resulting from physical contact being made between the electrical grounding element and the surface of the structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wheel righting apparatus includes a main frame and a wheel latching frame that is pivotally coupled to the main frame. The wheel latching frame is configured to be removably coupled to a wheel. The wheel righting apparatus also includes a winch assembly coupled to the main frame. The winch assembly is operable to move the wheel from a horizontal position to a vertical position by pivoting the wheel latching frame relative to the main frame.

Abstract: A method of providing a simplified practice for dealing with aviation turbulence and other weather hazards that allows the end users to better communicate turbulence as a state of the atmosphere metric and the additional weather threats affecting the flight is described. The method provides an Atmospheric State Index (ASI) that allows all the users to work with a standardized metric that describes the turbulence as the state of the atmosphere and a similar scale for other weather risks to the flight. This system makes the correlation between the forecast and aircraft reports for turbulence easier to interpret for the end users. This approach concentrates on turbulence as a weather hazard with a more objective and easier to use metric. This configuration provides a transition for moving from a system based on turbulence Pilot Reports (PIREPS) to a more objective data driven process in the air traffic environment.

Abstract: A nut and washer assembly includes a washer unit that is coupled to a nut. The washer unit includes a housing and a washer that is disposed within a sleeve on an inner surface of the housing such that the washer is inseparable from and axially rotatable with respect to the housing. The housing is attached to the nut such that the washer captured within the housing of the washer unit and the nut operate as a single unit.

Abstract: A health monitoring system of an aircraft includes a plurality of sensors and interfaces that are non-invasively installed in a system of the aircraft. Further, the health monitoring system includes a data concentrator unit that is coupled to the plurality of sensor and interfaces. The data concentrator unit receives data associated with various components of the aircraft system from the plurality of sensor and interfaces. Responsively, the data concentrator unit processes the received data to generate a single output data stream that is transmitted to a configurable data receiver unit of the aircraft. The configurable data receiver unit transmits the received single output data stream to a ground server and an on-board display to monitor and determine a health and/or performance of the aircraft system.

Abstract: An application engine receives flight position data associated with an airplane through a global computing network. The flight position data includes a list of recorded locations of the airplane. Using the list of recorded locations of the airplane, the application engine computes a current position of the airplane and a polling interval. Responsive to calculating the current position of the airplane, the application engine generates a flight status view of the airplane based on the current position of the airplane. The flight status view includes a flight tracker image representative of the airplane's current location and flight path, and one or more visual indicators corresponding to social network data and informative data associated with the current position of the airplane. The application engine periodically updates the flight status view of the airplane using an updated current position of the airplane.

Abstract: A single point disconnect system useful for pushback of an aircraft using a tow bar and a vehicle includes a first sensor assembly that determines whether an angle of the tow bar respective to a surface of the vehicle to which the tow bar is coupled exceeds a threshold limit, a second sensor assembly that determines the direction of the wheels of the vehicle that are responsible for steering the vehicle, and an indicator panel. The indicator panel includes a first light module and a second light module that are coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, respectively. The first light module emits light that indicates the angle of the tow bar respective to the surface of the vehicle and the second light module emits light that indicates the direction of the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of providing a simplified practice for dealing with aviation turbulence and other weather hazards that allows the end users to better communicate turbulence as a state of the atmosphere metric and the additional weather threats affecting the flight is described. The method provides an Atmospheric State Index (ASI) that allows all the users to work with a standardized metric that describes the turbulence as the state of the atmosphere and a similar scale for other weather risks to the flight. This system makes the correlation between the forecast and aircraft reports for turbulence easier to interpret for the end users. This approach concentrates on turbulence as a weather hazard with a more objective and easier to use metric. This configuration provides a transition for moving from a system based on turbulence Pilot Reports (PIREPS) to a more objective data driven process in the air traffic environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for upgrading passengers from commercial airline flights to private aircraft flights are disclosed. The problem of having a return flight of a private aircraft without revenue generating passengers is solved by selecting a commercial airline flight which best overlaps the return flight of the private aircraft, and offering commercial airline passengers booked on the selected commercial airline flight an opportunity to upgrade to the private aircraft flight. Commercial airline passengers willing to upgrade pay an incremental fee which may be used to offset the cost of the return flight of the private aircraft. Commercial airline passengers may be selected based on their participation in commercial airline marketing programs such as those based on total accumulated miles flown.

Abstract: Providing passengers and other interested parties with dynamic and real-time air travel information. This dynamic and real-time air travel information is shown in various screens on a computer monitor, and includes flight information, passenger information, other general air information, and advertising. The information is presented to passengers in a manner which reduces passenger wait time and allows gate agents to focus on other responsibilities. Information on seat standby status, upgrade standby status, and cleared standby status is provided on the computer monitor.

Abstract: Providing passengers and other interested parties with dynamic and real-time air travel information. This dynamic and real-time air travel information is shown in various screens on a computer monitor, and includes flight information, passenger information, other general air information, and advertising. The information is presented to passengers in a manner which reduces passenger wait time and allows gate agents to focus on other responsibilities. Information on seat standby status, upgrade standby status, and cleared standby status is provided on the computer monitor.

Abstract: A target audit methodology to provide a transaction-based detail of errors in an environment with a high volume of transactions. The primary components comprise a distributed computer network, such as the global Internet, coupled to numerous databases and a workstation. A Random Sample Query is used to pull a statistically valid sample from a general population of transactions to identify initial transaction errors. The initial transaction errors are analyzed to determine parameters for identifying other similar errors with a high probability of occurrence within the total population of transactions. A Possible Error Query is designed to retrieve these specific error types and is processed against the population of transactions. The results of the Possible Error Query are assigned financial impact and detailed for the client by individual transaction in an invoice.

Abstract: Estimating price elasticity of product demand assists an understanding of total demand for a product and a forecast of how the level of demand for that product will change based on a change in the price of the product. A multi-level hierarchical regression methodology can be used to forecast product demand, and thereby calculate price elasticity. The methodology accepts historical product sales, product prices, and revenue management controls of a company and predicts the estimated demand at the product level. This methodology can also accept the historical product sales, product prices for the company and its competitors, revenue management controls of a company, and an estimate of the revenue management controls of its competitors to predict the estimated demand at the product level.

Abstract: Ensuring that the correct wheel bearing is installed in the wheel assembly of an aircraft. A plastic mold is designed to hold only one size of wheel bearing. The mold is labeled with the wheel bearing serial number and the corresponding aircraft model number. Because only one size of wheel bearing fits properly in the mold, it facilitates identification and use of the correct size wheel bearing in the aircraft wheel assembly. The mold can be used to ship wheel bearings to air carriers and to store wheel bearings before installation into aircraft wheel assemblies. The mold also offers protection for the wheel bearing from contamination or damage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for changing the travel reservation of a passenger based on the detection of a modification event. The system employs a travel monitoring software module that can be used to monitor passengers and anticipate needed changes in reservations. Once a passenger's reservation is rebooked, a local computer system and a local gate information display system can be used to display the updated travel reservation and permit boarding under the new reservation. Passengers can also use scan-print devices to quickly receive a new copy of their travel itinerary reflecting the rebooking. The entire system facilitates the movement of passengers through terminals to their respective departure points. The system also reduces the number of personnel needed to manage irregular travel operations.

Abstract: An airline origin-destination revenue management software system supports decisions to accept or deny request for booking on airline seats by comparing the fare for the request with a minimum acceptable fare predetermined by the system. In order to determine the minimum acceptable fare, the system typically solves an optimization problem that takes as input the airline's flight network schedule, fares and forecasted passenger demands for all products available for booking on the airline's flight network, and available capacity on each of the airline's scheduled flights.