Abstract: A permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system is provided for an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controllable drive wheel drive system for autonomous ground movement without reliance on the aircraft's engines or external tow vehicles, including an onboard wireless communications link installed to remain permanently with the aircraft designed to interface wirelessly with ground personnel at any airport, aerodrome, or airfield where the aircraft lands immediately upon landing. The permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system provides a substantially instantaneous connection between a pilot and ground personnel to facilitate guidance of pilot-controlled autonomous ground movement during taxi, parking in nose-in and parallel orientations, and pushback without reliance on visual signals.

Abstract: A powered self push back method and system for an aircraft are provided to move an aircraft on the ground safely during push back without assistance from an external tug vehicle or the aircraft main engines. The method employs constant cooperative communication and signals between the pilot and the ground crew during the push back process to ensure that push back of the aircraft is safe, efficient, and reduces aircraft turnaround time. The powered self push back system used in conjunction with this method includes at least one powered self-propelled aircraft drive wheel powered by a wheel drive assembly that can be activated by pilot input controls or by remote control exteriorly of or interiorly to the aircraft in response to ground crew signals to activate the driver to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse, push back direction, causing the aircraft to move in the push back direction or in a forward direction for taxi and takeoff in accordance with activation of the controls.

Abstract: A method for improving airport and ramp throughput is provided. The method minimizes the time interval between an aircraft's landing and takeoff by independently moving the aircraft with an onboard electric driver that drives at least one of the aircraft's wheels on the ground without the aircraft's engines. Turnaround time and aircraft idle time are reduced by eliminating engine operation while the aircraft is moving in the ramp area. The time between when an aircraft is not moving between pushback and taxi forward is substantially eliminated, leading to more efficient ramp operations as ramp space is freed for through traffic.

Abstract: A training system and method for operating aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means during independent ground travel is provided. The system and method of the present invention is designed specifically to train pilots, ground personnel, and air traffic control to move an aircraft safely and efficiently on the ground during taxi and pushback using the aircraft's non-engine drive means to propel the aircraft independently during ground travel. Simulations and procedures for training pilots and ramp personnel in the conduct of pushback operations and forward taxi with an aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means are also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing airline fleet carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions and fees associated with the emission of greenhouse gases is provided. The method is implemented by equipping at least a substantial portion or all of the aircraft in an airline's fleet with onboard wheel drive means capable of translating torque through aircraft wheels and controllable to move the aircraft on the ground independently without complete reliance on the aircraft's engines or the use of external tow vehicles. One or more drive wheels, each of which may be powered by onboard electric, hydraulic, or other wheel drive means, are controllable to move each aircraft efficiently during ground travel without increasing carbon emissions.

Abstract: A system and method for setting, controlling, or maintaining a selected taxi speed and route for one or more aircraft equipped with an onboard non-engine powered drive means powering one or more aircraft wheels to move the aircraft during taxi is provided. Taxi speed and/or route can be set, maintained, or controlled by the aircraft pilot or ground traffic control in conjunction with taxi speed and travel of other aircraft and ground vehicles. A pilot activates a speed control to set and control taxi speed. The aircraft will automatically travel on the ground at that speed without input from the pilot until it is necessary to change the speed manually or automatically. Airport ground traffic control can generate taxi profiles for all non-engine driven aircraft to automatically control, subject to pilot capability to override, the taxi of multiple aircraft at an airport in conjunction with ground vehicle movement.

Abstract: A method for enhancing pilot and cockpit crew efficiency and increasing aircraft safety during aircraft ground travel between landing and takeoff is provided. The present method is most effective in enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety in an aircraft equipped with at least one powered, self-propelled drive wheel that drives the aircraft on the ground independently of the aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles that is controlled by the pilot and cockpit crew to maneuver the aircraft during ground travel.

Abstract: A cigarette or other tobacco product package may be constructed with a sealed outer overwrap. The overwrap may be multi-layered and configured to contain an internal pressure higher than an ambient external air pressure. The multilayer overwrap may be assembled to a cigarette or other tobacco product pack in two or more layers adhered together during assembly.

Abstract: A cigarette or other tobacco product package may be constructed with a sealed outer overwrap. The overwrap may be multi-layered and configured to contain an internal pressure higher than an ambient external air pressure. The multilayer overwrap may be assembled to a cigarette or other tobacco product pack in two or more layers adhered together during assembly.

Abstract: A single-piece corrugated box suited for shipping one or more articles, e.g. hazardous articles such as cans of paint, varnish, solvent or other liquid hydrocarbon includes four upright side wall panels that are connected by vertical fold lines and upper and lower pairs of abutting, full-overlap article-stabilizing flaps that are provided with punched openings therein positioned in vertical alignment with each other so that one pair of stabilizing flaps surrounds and interlocks over the upper end of the article and the other pair of stabilizing flaps surrounds and interlocks over the lower end of the article. Each pair of stabilizing flaps is supported exteriorally by a pair of laterally opposed end flaps which are folded centrally so as to enclose and abut the ends of the article as well as the underlying stabilizing flaps. The stabilizing flaps are hinged to the side walls of the box by horizontal fold lines.

Abstract: Encircling with a magnetic field controllable by a variable frequency and amplitude to propel red blood cells radially while rotating about a vascular axis so as to loosen and clear away vascular accumulations tending to block the vascular system.