Abstract: High-lift systems for aircraft, and associated methods are provided. A high-lift system includes a movable high-lift device, an inboard track to guide an inboard portion of the high-lift device, and an outboard track to guide the outboard portion of the high-lift device. An actuator drives the high-lift device between the retracted position and the deployed position. The actuator is disposed inboard of the inboard track. An inboard bell crank connects the actuator to the inboard portion of the high-lift device. An outboard bell crank connects the actuator to the outboard portion of the high-lift device. A connecting rod connects the inboard bell crank to the outboard bell crank so that the outboard bell crank is drivingly connecting the actuator to the outboard portion of the high-lift device via the connecting rod and the inboard bell crank.

Abstract: Apparatus for obstructing air flow through an aperture in an aircraft wing where a movable anti-icing duct extends through the aperture are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base member (40) configured to be secured to the duct and a first seal member (42) configured to obstruct air flow through the aperture. The first seal member comprises a proximal portion (42A) connected to the base member and a distal portion (42B) configured to movably contact an inner surface of a skin of the wing. The use of such apparatus may reduce the amount of leakage flow from the high pressure lower wing surface to the low pressure upper wing surface through the aperture and thereby reduce the loss of lift associated with such leakage flow.

Abstract: A method of operating a skew detection system, configured for detecting skew in a control surface of one of wings of an aircraft, includes receiving an inboard signal from an inboard sensor and receiving an outboard signal from an outboard sensor. The inboard and outboard sensors have lines of sight intersecting toothed surfaces of gears of the inboard and outboard gears. Inboard distance and outboard distance travelled by the inboard and the outboard tracks respectively are determined using the inboard and outboard signals from the inboard and the outboard sensors. One of the inboard and the outboard distances is compared with a reference value. An alert indicative of an adverse situation is emitted if the one of the inboard and the outboard distances is different than the reference value.

Abstract: Apparatus for obstructing air flow through an aperture in an aircraft wing where a movable anti-icing duct extends through the aperture are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base member (40) configured to be secured to the duct and a first seal member (42) configured to obstruct air flow through the aperture. The first seal member comprises a proximal portion (42A) connected to the base member and a distal portion (42B) configured to movably contact an inner surface of a skin of the wing. The use of such apparatus may reduce the amount of leakage flow from the high pressure lower wing surface to the low pressure up per wing surface through the aperture and thereby reduce the loss of lift associated with such leakage flow.