Abstract: A method and apparatus for fitting aircraft having manually operated escape slide girt bars with a mechanism that automatically engages the girt bar in a floor mounted bracket as the entry door is latched, releases the girt bar from the floor bracket when a foot pedal is depressed as the door is unlatched in non-emergency circumstances, and releases the girt bar from the door when the door is opened in emergency situations for deploying an escape slide. Support arms having spring loaded tongues on their remote ends are connected to the girt bar, while brackets in the door each receive one of the spring loaded tongues and hold the same in tongue retaining fittings. The tongue retaining fittings normally push the girt bar out of the floor brackets as the door is unlatched prior to opening and are provided with hinge tab stops to engage support arm hinge tabs on the girt bar support arm to lift the girt bar off of the floor as the door is unlatched prior to opening with the foot pedal depressed.

Abstract: Aileron-supported split flaps and ground speed spoilers (collectively referred to as "aerodynamic lifting or braking devices") for reducing aircraft approach speeds and reducing the length of the runway needed to land the aircraft. The actuating mechanism for the aerodynamic lifting or braking device allows the latter to rotate with the supporting aileron as the latter is moved up and down when the lifting or braking device is in its stowed position. When the lifting or braking device is in its extended position, up and down aileron movements will cause the aerodynamic lifting or braking device to translate to and fro, but the lifting or braking device will remain in the extended position, irrespective of aileron movement. Hydraulic and torque tube systems can be used to deflect the aerodynamic lifting or braking device which completes the aerodynamic profile of the supporting aileron when that device is in its stowed position.