Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for moving an aircraft across a deck surface from a landing position to a stowed position. The apparatus comprises a pair of control beams (26, 28). The control beams are propelled along longitudinal (6, 8) and transverse rails (22, 24) to engage and then position a landed aircraft ready for the aircraft to be guided securely to its hangar by a self-propelled shuttle unit (58). When not in use, the control beams may be stored in the hangar.

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: Apparatus for machining splines on the internal surface of a tubular member comprising cutter means for forming the splines on the internal surface; a carrier for the tubular member for enabling the tubular member to be moved in an axial direction relative to the cutter means; and means for angularly indexing the cutter means relative to the tubular member whereby splines at angularly predetermined intervals can be provided around the interval circumference of the tubular member.