Abstract: A method of controlling an aircraft propulsion system in an aircraft susceptible to ground resonance is provided. The method includes: providing an aircraft having an aircraft propulsion system and a rotary blade propulsion unit, the aircraft propulsion system having an electric motor and a gearbox, wherein the electric motor is in drive communication with the gearbox and the gearbox is in drive communication with the rotary blade propulsion unit; determining the presence or absence of a parameter indicative of a ground resonance condition; and controlling the electric motor to deliver an amount of torque to the gearbox to drive the rotary blade propulsion unit to produce enough lift to make the aircraft airborne when the presence of the parameter indicative of the ground resonance condition is determined.

Abstract: This invention is embodied in a system and method for transferring energy and mass (supplies) in low-gravity environments. Broadly, the preferred system comprises a launcher, a receiver, and a capsule. The capsule is used to transfer a payload (e.g., supplies) between the launcher and a receiver. In addition, the receiver converts a portion of the payload's kinetic energy to potential energy via regenerative braking and stores the energy for later use. The stored energy can be used at the receiver end for applications such as powering habitats, mining operations, life-support systems, etc. In some instances, a portion of the stored energy can be used to re-launch the payload. Launchers and receivers can be established in different spatial network configurations in lower gravity environments such as in a circle with a centrally located launcher, a launcher downstream of a chain of receivers, or other configurations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for servicing an aircraft by a ground service unit. The method comprises reading a wireless parameter signal from a transponder at the aircraft, decoding the wireless parameter signal to derive at least one aircraft parameter of a water supply system and/or a waste system of the aircraft, moving a servicing equipment interface to a service panel of the aircraft, connecting the servicing equipment interface to a coupling at the service panel, servicing the aircraft via the servicing equipment interface corresponding to the at least one aircraft parameter, and writing a service parameter into the transponder at the aircraft.

Abstract: A wing 3 including a main wing 5, a slat 7, and a connection assembly 9 movably connecting the slat 7 to the main wing 5, wherein the slat 7 moves between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the front spar 37 includes an aperture 41 for a slat track 17 and the main wing 5 comprises a track housing assembly 43 including a track housing 45 and a mounting device 47, wherein the track housing 45 is mounted to the front spar 37 at the aperture 41 by the mounting device 47 and extending from the front spar 37 to the interior 42 of the wing box 35, the track housing 45 receives the slat track 17.

Abstract: A method is provided during which a thermoplastic rib is arranged with a thermoplastic spar. A first flange of the thermoplastic rib is abutted against the thermoplastic spar. The first flange of the thermoplastic rib is ultrasonic welded to the thermoplastic spar using a tilted ultrasonic horn. A centerline of the tilted ultrasonic horn is angularly offset from the first flange of the thermoplastic rib by an acute angle during the ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A flap system for an aircraft comprises a wing structure, a trailing-edge and an attachment unit for movably coupling the trailing-edge movable to the wing structure. The attachment unit comprises an attachment mechanism and a cover element which at least partly encloses the attachment mechanism. The attachment unit comprises a drive element which is configured to move the cover element along an aerodynamic outer surface of a skin section of the wing structure between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the cover element along the aerodynamic outer surface is defined by a translational movement of the cover element relative to the skin section.

Abstract: An aircraft wing with an array of moveably flight control surfaces is disclosed. Each flight control surface includes a trailing edge with a moveable tab attached to the flight control surface trailing edge. A flight control system coupled to a flight control surface drive system which moves the flight control surfaces; a tab drive system which moves the moveable tabs and one or more aircraft angle of attack sensors. The flight control system stores a set of angular deflections to deflect the tabs upwardly when the angle of attack reaches a threshold.

Abstract: A system for flight control of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The system generally includes a pilot control, a pusher component, a lift component and a flight controller. The pilot control is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The pilot control is configured to transmit an input datum. The pusher component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The lift component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The flight controller is communicatively connected to the pilot control. The flight controller is configured to receive the input datum from the pilot control, initiate operation of the pusher component, and terminate operation of the lift component. A method for flight control of an eVTOL aircraft is also provided.

Abstract: An aircraft wing including a flap system mounted at a leading or trailing edge of the wing and includes at least two movable flap devices spaced apart in a spanwise direction Y from each other, each movable flap device supported by at least one support station and driven about a hinge axis by at least one drive system. The flap system includes a synchronizing torque element connected to the movable flap devices, wherein the synchronizing torque element is configured to transmit a torque between the movable flap devices to actuate a rotational movement of the movable flap devices, and wherein the synchronizing torque element is positioned between the movable flap devices and around an adjacent system or structural component that is also positioned between the movable flap devices.

Abstract: In an aspect, a system for propeller parking control for an electric aircraft. The system include at least a sensor and a computing device. A sensor may be configured to generate angular datum. The computing device may be configured to generate a trajectory as a function of angular datum. The computing device may also be configured to initiate the transition from hover to fixed-wing flight as a function of a trajectory.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a transition between flight modes of an electric aircraft is illustrated. The apparatus comprises at least a sensor configured to detect a movement datum of the electric aircraft and a flight controller communicatively connected to the at least sensor, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive the movement datum from the at least a sensor, determine a current flight mode of the electric aircraft as a function of the movement datum, generate a guidance datum as a function of a change in flight mode and the movement datum, communicate the movement datum and the guidance datum to a pilot indicator in communication with the flight controller, and display the movement datum and the guidance datum using the pilot indicator.

Abstract: A method of recovering fuel vapour from a fuel tank of an aircraft, is disclosed. The aircraft includes a fuel tank; a wing with an upper surface and a lower surface; and an opening in the lower surface of the wing. The method includes coupling an inlet of a vapour recovery system to the opening; capturing fuel vapour from the fuel tank which flows out of the opening with the inlet of the vapour recovery system; and collecting the captured fuel vapour in a vapour storage tank of the vapour recovery system.

Abstract: A fairing arrangement for an aircraft high-lift mechanism, the high-lift mechanism including a flap arranged at an aircraft wing trailing edge and a mounting and guiding mechanism for the flap. The fairing arrangement includes a flap side fairing unit and a wing side fairing unit. The flap side fairing unit includes a flap side fairing covering an aft part of the mounting and guiding mechanism and a flap side fairing mount mounting the flap side fairing to the flap. The wing side fairing unit includes a wing side fairing covering a forward part of the mounting and guiding mechanism and a wing side fairing mount mounting the wing side fairing to the wing. The wing side fairing mount is configured to connect the wing side fairing movably to the wing such that the wing side fairing is rotatable around an axis directed at least partially in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A pair of opposing, spaced apart bracket assemblies is mounted on a lower surface of a landing vehicle deck with each bracket assembly having a latch receiver extending therefrom. A pair of opposing, spaced apart latch assemblies is mounted on an upper surface of an exploration vehicle with each latch assembly having a latch pivotally mounted for releasably engaging one of the bracket assembly latch receivers. A plurality of tethers with each tether releasably connecting one of plurality of wheels to the landing vehicle deck is provided. Each of the latch assembly latches pivots relative to the exploration vehicle upper surface to disengage from one of the bracket assembly latch receivers, so that the plurality of tethers suspend the exploration vehicle from the landing vehicle deck.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided which includes a fuselage having a first wing with curved wingtips positioned above a second wing having curved wingtips. Rotor assemblies located in between the curved wingtips of the first and second wing, are employable to both provide vertical thrust for vertical take off of the aircraft and auto rotation to generate electric energy to recharge an onboard electric power supply. The first wing may be formed in a V-shape, and additional rotor assemblies to provide forward and vertical thrust to the airplane can be included on rotatable canards.

Abstract: A hybrid powerplant is provided for an aircraft. This hybrid powerplant includes a housing, an electric machine, a machine fluid circuit, a heat engine and a geartrain. The housing includes a machine containment zone and an engine compartment outside of the machine containment zone. The electric machine is arranged within the machine containment zone. The machine fluid circuit services the electric machine. The machine fluid circuit extends in the machine containment zone and is arranged outside of the engine compartment. The heat engine is arranged within the engine compartment. The geartrain is operatively connected to the electric machine and the heat engine.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly is provided. The landing gear assembly includes a shock strut. The shock strut includes a shock strut cylinder and a shock strut piston slidably disposed within the shock strut cylinder. The landing gear assembly further includes a temperature control unit assembly disposed within the shock strut cylinder. The temperature control unit assembly is configured to, responsive to a temperature within the shock strut cylinder falling below a predetermined temperature, circulate heated fluid into a chamber of the shock strut cylinder to heat gas within the shock strut cylinder.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an aircraft may have components with one or more channels configured to receive one or more rigid tubes passing through one or more components of the aircraft. A tube may be disposed within a first channel of a first component of the aircraft and may pass into and through a second channel of a second component of the aircraft. The tube may improve positioning and fit of the modular components of the aircraft, thereby improving stiffness and performance of the aircraft. The tubes also may improve efficiency when assembling the aircraft and coupling modular components of the aircraft to one another. Further, conductive wiring components of the aircraft may be routed internally within the tubes to achieve improved wire routing management and protection for wiring components.

Abstract: A fixed-wing aircraft at least includes at least one vortex generator movable through an outer surface of the aircraft between a retracted state and a fully extended state by at least one electric motor, the at least one electric motor being exclusively adapted to actuate this at least one vortex generator, and including an electronic control unit adapted to control operation of the at least one electric motor for actuation of the at least one vortex generator.

Abstract: A serrated fitting and method for installing fixed length roller tray segments spanning an aircraft fuselage integration zone. The serrated fitting includes a first surface for attachment to a fixed length roller tray segment. The serrated fitting also includes a serrated surface for engagement with a serrated plate attached to a floor beam of an aircraft. A fastener connects the serrated surface to the serrated plate and the floor beam through a pre-drilled hole in the floor beam. The pre-drilled hole is larger than the diameter of the fastener to accommodate accumulated tolerance between joined fuselage sections at a fuselage integration zone.