Abstract: Airstair systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstair has a deployable upper step, a primary deployment device and a secondary deployment device. The upper step is movable between a stowed configuration when a door of the aircraft is closed and a deployed configuration when the door is open. The primary deployment device resiliently biases the upper step toward the deployed configuration. The secondary deployment device is movable in coordination with a movement of the door and configured to drive the deployable upper step toward the deployed configuration during opening of the door and during a failure of the primary deployment device.

Abstract: An escape hatch for an aircraft includes a door body having an exterior side and an interior side opposite the exterior side; an exterior handle movably connected to the door body, the exterior handle rotatable between a stowed position, in which the exterior handle is recessed within an opening of the door body, and an unstowed position, the exterior handle being accessible from the exterior side of the door body to open the door; and a visual indicator connected to the door body and visible from the interior side of the door body only when the exterior handle is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A handle assembly for an aircraft door includes a shaft to open the door, an exterior handle deployable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a clutch having a driving member coupled to the exterior handle and a driven member coupled to the shaft. The clutch is configurable between a disengaged configuration in which the driving member and the driven member are disengaged, and an engaged configuration in which the driving member and the driven member are engaged so that actuation of the exterior handle rotates the shaft to open the door. Rotation of the exterior handle between the stowed position and the deployed position drives an axial movement of the driving member toward the driven member to configure the clutch to the engaged configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an aircraft door including an airstair are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a hinge configured to pivotally couple a lower portion of the door to a fuselage of an aircraft, a lift mechanism and an interlock. The lift mechanism causes a movement of the door relative to the hinge between a lowered position and a lifted position. The interlock is configurable between: a locked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is prevented; and an unlocked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is permitted.

Abstract: Airstair systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstair comprises a deployable upper step, a primary deployment device and a secondary deployment device. The upper step is movable between a stowed configuration when a door of the aircraft is closed and a deployed configuration when the door is open. The primary deployment device resiliently biases the upper step toward the deployed configuration. The secondary deployment device is movable in coordination with a movement of the door and configured to drive the deployable upper step toward the deployed configuration during opening of the door and during a failure of the primary deployment device.

Abstract: Airstair systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstair comprises a deployable upper step, a primary deployment device and a secondary deployment device. The upper step is movable between a stowed configuration when a door of the aircraft is closed and a deployed configuration when the door is open. The primary deployment device resiliently biases the upper step toward the deployed configuration. The secondary deployment device is movable in coordination with a movement of the door and configured to drive the deployable upper step toward the deployed configuration during opening of the door and during a failure of the primary deployment device.

Abstract: A mobile platform with a passenger door system having stairs with one or more deployable lower steps and associated methods for deployment and/or stowing of such lower steps are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises using movement of the door to drive a movement of a handrail associated with the stairs, and using the movement of the handrail to drive a movement of the one or more lower steps.

Abstract: A handle assembly for an aircraft door includes a shaft to open the door, an exterior handle deployable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a clutch having a driving member coupled to the exterior handle and a driven member coupled to the shaft. The clutch is configurable between a disengaged configuration in which the driving member and the driven member are disengaged, and an engaged configuration in which the driving member and the driven member are engaged so that actuation of the exterior handle rotates the shaft to open the door. Rotation of the exterior handle between the stowed position and the deployed position drives an axial movement of the driving member toward the driven member to configure the clutch to the engaged configuration.

Abstract: An escape hatch for an aircraft includes a door body having an exterior side and an interior side opposite the exterior side; an exterior handle movably connected to the door body, the exterior handle rotatable between a stowed position, in which the exterior handle is recessed within an opening of the door body, and an unstowed position, the exterior handle being accessible from the exterior side of the door body to open the door; and a visual indicator connected to the door body and visible from the interior side of the door body only when the exterior handle is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an aircraft door including an airstair are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a hinge configured to pivotally couple a lower portion of the door to a fuselage of an aircraft, a lift mechanism and an interlock. The lift mechanism causes a movement of the door relative to the hinge between a lowered position and a lifted position. The interlock is configurable between: a locked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is prevented; and an unlocked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is permitted.

Abstract: Systems for latching and locking an aircraft door and associated methods are disclosed. The system comprises a latch and a lock. The latch can be configurable between: a latched configuration where the latch interferes with a lift mechanism for causing lifting of the aircraft door to permit opening of the aircraft door; and an unlatched configuration where the lift mechanism is permitted to cause lifting of the aircraft door. The lock can be configurable between: a locked configuration where a configuration change of the latch from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration is prevented; and an unlocked configuration where the configuration change of the latch from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration is permitted.

Abstract: Airstair systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstair comprises a deployable upper step, a primary deployment device and a secondary deployment device. The upper step is movable between a stowed configuration when a door of the aircraft is closed and a deployed configuration when the door is open. The primary deployment device resiliently biases the upper step toward the deployed configuration. The secondary deployment device is movable in coordination with a movement of the door and configured to drive the deployable upper step toward the deployed configuration during opening of the door and during a failure of the primary deployment device.

Abstract: A mobile platform with a passenger door system having stairs with one or more deployable lower steps and associated methods for deployment and/or stowing of such lower steps are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises using movement of the door to drive a movement of a handrail associated with the stairs, and using the movement of the handrail to drive a movement of the one or more lower steps.