Abstract: An aerial vehicle and a method of taking a measurement using a sensor mounted on an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle has one or more propellers and one car more motors which are selectively operable to drive the one or more propellers to rotate to cause the vehicle to fly. A sensor is mounted on the aerial vehicle. The method includes operating the one or more motors to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly. At a first time instant, the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off. When the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off, a measurement is taken using the sensor; at a second time instant, which is after the measurement has been taken using sensor, operating the one or more motors again to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly.

Abstract: An aircraft of a modular type including: at least one rotor suitable for providing in full or in part propulsion and/or lift for the aircraft; at least one power plant of the combustion engine type or of the electric motor type; a main gearbox, for mechanically transmitting drive torque generated by the at least one power plant to the at least one rotor; and an avionics system for assisting in piloting the aircraft. In accordance with the invention, the avionics system is configured for automatically providing the assistance in piloting the aircraft when the aircraft has a first power plant only or when the aircraft has a first power plant and a second power plant.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a fuel system on an aircraft includes selectively supplying fuel from either a main fuel tank or at least one wing fuel tank to a fuel consumer by varying a speed of at least one main fuel tank pump associated with the main fuel tank relative to a speed of at least one wing fuel tank pump associated with the at least one wing fuel tank.

Abstract: A propeller driving unit for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The propeller driving unit comprises a motor unit comprising a first motor module and a second motor module, with the first motor module being adapted to independently drive a first propeller or a first set of propellers, the second motor module being adapted to independently drive a second propeller or a second set of propellers; wherein the first and second motor modules are coaxially arranged within the motor unit. The invention also relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising the described propeller driving unit.

Abstract: A flapping-wing aircraft includes a support frame, a motor coupled to the support frame, a pair of wings coupled to the support frame, and a linkage assembly coupled to the support frame and configured to translate an output torque of the motor into flapping motion of the wings, wherein the linkage assembly includes a first link coupled to a rotational output of the motor, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link at a first pivot joint, a third link pivotably coupled to the second link at a second pivot joint, and a fourth link pivotably coupled to the support frame and slidably coupled to the third link, and wherein the fourth link is coupled to a first wing of the pair of wings.

Abstract: On an aircraft, a multi-mode power generator is operated in a variable voltage mode to power an electric Wng Ice Prevention System (eWIPS), and is operated in a fixed voltage mode to provide backup power. When atmospheric conditions are conducive to the formation of ice (and main generators are operative), the multi-mode power generator is operated in variable voltage mode to power the eWIPS with a first or second variable voltage. The first variable voltage, the value of which depends on atmospheric conditions, is for anti-ice operation. The second variable voltage, which can be the maximum output voltage, is for de-ice operation. Transitions between different variable voltage levels are not instantaneous which eliminates fatigue damage due to transients. If a main generator fails (or when atmospheric conditions are not conducive to the formation of ice), the multi-mode power generator is operated in fixed voltage mode to provide backup power.

Abstract: A galley monument for an aircraft has a shelf structure, a pull-out member supported on the shelf structure so as to be able to be moved between an insertion position and a deployment position and has a carrier plate, and a display device supported on the pull-out member and having a display. A first surface of the carrier plate in the deployment position of the pull-out member is located in a deployment plane and protrudes with respect to the shelf structure and is located in the insertion position at least partially inside the shelf structure. The display device in the deployment position of the pull-out member can be pivoted about a centre of rotation between a storage position, in which the display device extends parallel with the deployment plane, and a position for use, in which the display device extends transversely relative to the deployment plane.

Abstract: A drone takeoff and landing system according to an embodiment comprises: a drone including a through-hole; and a landing pad including an extension member which can pass through the through-hole, wherein, when the extension member of the landing pad passes through the through-hole of the drone, an eddy current may occur between the through-hole and the extension member to cause magnetic braking of the drone.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage includes a stretched-quadrant fuselage segment having from to four stretched-quadrant fuselage projections spaced at intervals around the fuselage. The stretched-quadrant fuselage segment enables an aircraft to be configured for three-across seating rows and for carrying an LD-3 unit load device inside the fuselage with the seats removed.

Abstract: A cabin module for an aircraft comprises a section which has an upward-facing surface in an installed state of the cabin module, wherein the upward-facing surface of the section comprises an integrated drainage channel. An aircraft furthermore comprises at least one such cabin module.

Abstract: A configurable interior fixture for a vehicle includes a base assembly, a table assembly and an ottoman cushion. The base assembly is positionable between a lowered position and a raised position. The table assembly includes a center leaf section supported on the base assembly and a side leaf section that is moveable between a stowed position and a use position. The ottoman cushion includes a base frame with a cavity for receiving the table assembly and a cushion assembly attached to the base frame. The interior fixture may be configured as a foot rest by lowering the base assembly, folding the table assembly and attaching the ottoman cushion to the table assembly. The interior fixture may be configured as a table by raising the base assembly, detaching the ottoman cushion from the table assembly and the unfolding the table assembly into the use position.

Abstract: An aircraft structure including a heat shield. A heat shield including an interior; a skin enclosing the interior; a plurality of barriers attached in the interior to the skin, each of the barriers spaced to separate a plurality of thermal insulation layers disposed in the interior; and wherein the barriers suppress heat flow between the thermal insulation layers.

Abstract: An autonomous propeller propulsion system for an aircraft. The autonomous system comprises a chassis with first attachment systems which engage with second attachment systems of the wing to ensure detachable attachment of the autonomous system, a fuel cell attached to the chassis, an electric motor attached to the chassis and having an output shaft, a propshaft rotated by the output shaft, a propeller attached to the propshaft, a controller converting an electric current delivered by the fuel cells into an electric current delivered to the electric motor, a hydrogen feed duct and an air feed duct, a set of auxiliary equipment, and a first connection arrangement, which connects with a second connection arrangement of the aircraft.

Abstract: A set of consolidated electronics packages for staggered aircraft seats may include a first consolidated electronics package and a second consolidated electronics package. The first consolidated electronics package and a second consolidated electronics package may be installed within a primary passenger compartment. The first consolidated electronics package and the second consolidated electronics package may be configured to provide electrical connectivity to the primary passenger compartment and an auxiliary passenger compartment including an auxiliary aircraft seat. A primary aircraft seat and the auxiliary aircraft seat may be installed in a staggered configuration within an aircraft cabin including the primary passenger compartment and the auxiliary passenger compartment.

Abstract: A fuel containment system for an aircraft is provided. The fuel containment system comprises an upper fuel barrier under a cabin floor, an aft wheel well bulkhead, an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead, a lower fuel barrier associated with a cargo floor, and a lower fuselage skin panel. A fuel tank is created by the upper fuel barrier, the aft wheel well bulkhead, the aft fuel barrier, the lower fuel barrier, and the lower fuselage skin. The fuel tank is integrated into the aircraft and existing structural components are sealed to prevent fuel from leaking out of the integrated fuel tank.

Abstract: An aerodynamic aircraft component includes a fixed aerodynamic part, which has a first contact surface, and a movable aerodynamic part, which has a second contact surface and is mounted to the fixed aerodynamic part for movement relative to the fixed aerodynamic part between a first position, in which the first and second contact surfaces are spaced apart, and a second position, in which the second contact surface contacts the first contact surface. The fixed aerodynamic part includes one of a magnet device and a piece of magnetic material and the movable aerodynamic part includes the other of the magnet device and the piece of magnetic material. The magnet device and the piece of magnetic material are arranged such that a magnetic force between the magnet device and the piece of magnetic material urges the second contact surface in contact with the first contact surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aircraft rear section including a tail cone and a vertical tail plane, the method includes: providing pre-cured frames (1) each of which includes a section of the tail cone (2) and a section of the vertical tail plane (3); providing pre-cured stringers (4); placing the pre-cured stringers (4) each in respective positions within the pre-cured frames (1); placing a skin (5) around an external surface of the pre-cured frames (1); and curing the pre-cured frames (1), the pre-cured stringers (4), and the skin (5), forming the final aircraft rear section.

Abstract: An aircraft has a vertical stabilizer with a multi-spar box and a base rib assembly secured to the multi-spar box. The base rib assembly has front longitudinal lugs, rear longitudinal lugs, and opposing middle longitudinal lugs. Front clevises corresponding to the front longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members of the fuselage of the aircraft and each has a first, second, and third mounting arms. Rear clevises corresponding to the rear longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members and each has a first, second, and third mounting arms. Middle clevises corresponding to the middle longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members and each has only first and second mounting arms. Retaining members inserted through mounting holes in each longitudinal lug and mounting holes in each corresponding clevis secures the vertical stabilizer to the fuselage.

Abstract: A rotor craft changes a torsional angle of a blade by driving an actuator. The rotor craft includes a plurality of torsion applying mechanisms that each twist a proximal end portion of a corresponding blade relative to a distal end portion of the corresponding blade about a center axis A of the blade. Each blade includes a spar having a proximal end portion connected to a hub and a skin in which the spar is inserted, such that a distal end portion of the skin and a distal end portion of the spar are connected to each other, and such that other portions of the skin than the distal end portion are rotatable relative to the spar about a center axis of the spar. The hub includes a hub body mounted to a main rotor shaft, and a hub arm that connects the spar to the hub body.

Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed having a boundary layer ingestion propulsor. The aircraft comprises an elongated fuselage extending between a nose section and a tail section. The fuselage has an upswept underside in the tail section. The boundary layer ingestion propulsor is positioned in the tail section. The propulsor comprises a fan radially encased by a nacelle circumscribing the fuselage. The nacelle defines a leading edge line extending from a top dead center to a bottom dead center of the nacelle intersecting an axis of rotation of the fan at an angle no greater than seventy degrees.