Abstract: A method for piloting a pre-existing aircraft comprising the following steps: integrating an alternative piloting system (1) into the pre-existing aircraft; connecting the aircraft (200) and a ground station in which a ground pilot (207) is positioned; when the aircraft is in a normal state, having the aircraft piloted by a nominal crew; using detection means to detect the occurrence of an emergency situation and, when the occurrence of the emergency is detected: making the ground pilot (207) operational, so that the ground pilot can produce an aircraft ground piloting set-point; transmitting the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft; using the alternative piloting system to acquire and transmit the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft flight control system.

Abstract: An alternative piloting system arranged to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems having flight control and autopilot systems.

Abstract: A configuration system (80) arranged to configure an aircraft in a single-pilot mode and a two-pilot mode, comprising: acquisition means (84) and authentication means (83) arranged to acquire and authenticate a configuration order that defines the selected mode and controls the configuration system (80) to configure the aircraft in the selected mode; first activation means (85) arranged to activate equipment dedicated to piloting by a single-pilot on board when the aircraft is configured in single-pilot mode, and to deactivate dedicated equipment when the aircraft is configured in two-pilot mode; verification means (87) arranged to, when the aircraft is configured in the single-pilot mode, verify that single-pilot flight conditions are met and inform the sole pilot on board and a ground station of the results of these checks.

Abstract: An alternative piloting system arranged to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems having flight control and autopilot systems.

Abstract: A method for piloting a pre-existing aircraft comprising the following steps: integrating an alternative piloting system (1) into the pre-existing aircraft; connecting the aircraft (200) and a ground station in which a ground pilot (207) is positioned; when the aircraft is in a normal state, having the aircraft piloted by a nominal crew; using detection means to detect the occurrence of an emergency situation and, when the occurrence of the emergency is detected: making the ground pilot (207) operational, so that the ground pilot can produce an aircraft ground piloting set-point; transmitting the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft; using the alternative piloting system to acquire and transmit the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft flight control system.

Abstract: A configuration system (80) arranged to configure an aircraft in a single-pilot mode and a two-pilot mode, comprising: acquisition means (84) and authentication means (83) arranged to acquire and authenticate a configuration order that defines the selected mode and controls the configuration system (80) to configure the aircraft in the selected mode; first activation means (85) arranged to activate equipment dedicated to piloting by a single-pilot on board when the aircraft is configured in single-pilot mode, and to deactivate dedicated equipment when the aircraft is configured in two-pilot mode; verification means (87) arranged to, when the aircraft is configured in the single-pilot mode, verify that single-pilot flight conditions are met and inform the sole pilot on board and a ground station of the results of these checks.

Abstract: A variable attenuator includes a rotatable actuator and cam arrangement arranged to vary a length of an air gap between ends of fibers in a transmission line. The cam arrangement includes a cylindrically shaped cam member having an end surface cut to fit a curve representing normalized attenuation-to-gap-length data, the cam follower(s) being fitted in a sliding member that holds the end of the optical fiber and moves it relative to a fixed end of another fiber connector member. The cam surface includes multiple identical cam surface sections extending less than 180° around the cam to define movement of the cam follower(s) and the sliding member between a maximum position and a minimum position.

Abstract: An adhesiveless fiber optic connector includes a collet mechanism having cable gripping fingers for initially gripping a fiber buffer upon movement of the collet into a body of the connector, and which is subsequently secured within the connector by crimping, includes keying tabs which cooperate with slots in the main body of the connector for retaining the collet within the connector prior to termination, and for preventing rotation of the collet during termination, the keying tabs being pushed out of the slots during termination to adhere to the main body of the connector following crimping. An apparatus for facilitating termination of a fiber optic cable to such an adhesiveless connector includes a transport mechanism to which the fiber buffer is clipped, and a guiding mechanism in the form of separable jaws for the exposed fiber, as well as a crimp mechanism and fiber cutting and polishing apparatus.

Abstract: An adhesiveless fiber optic connector includes a collet mechanism having cable gripping fingers for initially gripping a fiber buffer upon movement of the collet into a body of the connector, and which is subsequently secured within the connector by crimping, includes keying tabs which cooperate with slots in the main body of the connector for retaining the collet within the connector prior to termination, and for preventing rotation of the collet during termination, the keying tabs being pushed out of the slots during termination to adhere to the main body of the connector following crimping. An apparatus for facilitating termination of a fiber optic cable to such an adhesiveless connector includes a transport mechanism to which the fiber buffer is clipped, and a guiding mechanism in the form of separable jaws for the exposed fiber, as well as a crimp mechanism and fiber cutting and polishing apparatus.

Abstract: A strain relief system for a fiber optic connector includes a boot made up of two halves, the halves being fitted together by press-fit pins supported by a flange which also serves increase the rigidity of the boot. The boot is held in place on the cable by using internal ribs at an distal from the connector. The force required to make the ribs hold the boot in place is provided by stretching a standard elastomeric boot over the outer diameter of the section containing the ribs. The system further incorporates a support clip at the connector end to assist the two halves in staying together and further resist lateral bending moments. The outer profile of the support clip can be adapted to fit a variety of different connector configurations, and thus the support clip also serves as an adapter for the strain relief system.

Abstract: A control method is described in which, a plant, a reference model and a corrector are serially connected in the loop. The plant output is fed back and compared against a reference signal to develop an error signal. The reference mode operates upon the error signal with a predetermined transfer function to develop signals proportional to the error signal and various successive order derivatives of the error signal. The model output signals are applied to a corrector circuit which multiplies the respective model output signals by appropriate coefficients, and sums the resultant product signals to produce control signals for the plant. Provisions are also disclosed for varying the coefficients to provide self-adaptive control. Provisions for accommodating process delays are also provided.