Abstract: A stairway module for use within a fuselage of an aircraft for enabling access to an overhead storage or sleeping area within the aircraft. One preferred embodiment discloses a spiral stairway module having a footprint no larger than a standard lavatory module. Another embodiment includes a stairway module having a pivotally mounted stair section which can be moved between operable and inoperable positions. Both embodiments provide a mid-level platform changing area. All of the embodiments are extremely compact and allow either fore-to-aft access or athwartship access to the overhead sleeping or storage area in the fuselage of the aircraft.

Abstract: A stairway module for use within a fuselage of an aircraft for enabling access to an overhead storage or sleeping area within the aircraft. One preferred embodiment discloses a spiral stairway module having a footprint no larger than a standard lavatory module. Another embodiment includes a stairway module having a pivotally mounted stair section which can be moved between operable and inoperable positions. Both embodiments provide a mid-level platform changing area. All of the embodiments are extremely compact and allow either fore-to-aft access or athwartship access to the overhead sleeping or storage area in the fuselage of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for aiding ground maneuvering of an airplane. The system includes at least one camera mounted on the airplane for generating video images of at last one gear with tires, preferably a main or nose landing gear and the surrounding ground. The cockpit of the airplane includes a video display device that displays the generated video images and a user interface that allows selection of the format for displaying the generated video images. A camera mounted within a moveable component of the airplane is mounted on a movable device that compensates for component movement. The system also includes a display generator for generating in real-time superimposed oversteer targets on the displayed video images. The video images with oversteer targets assist the pilot in determining the airplane's actual position relative to runways, taxiways, obstacles and other ground features and to maneuver a plane with a wide wheel track long wheelbase, or both accordingly.

Abstract: An improvement to an aircraft is provided in the form of an aircraft auxiliary power and thrust unit located in the tail cone of the aircraft. The unit includes a turbofan engine, an air intake opening, an inlet duct extending between the air intake opening and the turbofan engine, a transmission assembly, and various auxiliary equipment. The engine includes a forward-facing main turbine shaft. The air intake opening is located in the tail cone at a body station location forward of the engine. The transmission assembly includes a drive shaft mounted axially to the main turbine shaft and extends forward through the inlet duct through a sealed opening in the inlet duct. The auxiliary equipment is also located in the tail cone, forward of the turbofan engine. The transmission assembly is releasably connected to the auxiliary equipment. In a first operating mode, the engine is operated at a low setting to power the auxiliary equipment.