Abstract: The guiding mode transition aiding device includes a target heading determining device and a mode transition triggering system. The target heading determining device is configured to determine a target heading which represents the heading value reached by the aircraft at the end of a procedure of folding the wings of the aircraft flat from a current operating state. The mode transition triggering system receives the target heading and compares the target heading to a desired heading to be reached by the airplane to assist with triggering a transition between a rolling angle holding mode, in which the aircraft flies with a constant rolling angle, to a heading holding mode, in which the aircraft flies with a constant heading. This device and associated methods may be used during in flight refueling operations.

Abstract: The device includes means (15A, 15B) for determining and using a heading target which represents the heading value reached by the aircraft (AC) at the end of a procedure of folding the wings of the aircraft (AC) flat, initiated at the current instant, from a rolling angle holding mode.