Abstract: Aircraft that have fuselages including a series of frames spaced apart according to a frame pitch. The series of frames are covered by an aircraft skin to define an interior volume of the aircraft. The interior volume contains a series of rows of seats separated according to a seat pitch. The seat pitch may be indexed to the frame pitch such that seats are located between adjacent ones of the series of frames to permit a reduced-perimeter aircraft fuselage with substantially equal passenger comfort metrics. In some embodiments, in addition, a series of windows are located adjacent outboard seats of the series of rows of seats to permit ergonomically appropriate viewing through the series of windows by passengers seated in the outboard seats.

Abstract: Aircraft that have fuselages including a series of frames spaced apart according to a frame pitch. The series of frames are covered by an aircraft skin to define an interior volume of the aircraft. The interior volume contains a series of rows of seats separated according to a seat pitch. The seat pitch may be indexed to the frame pitch such that seats are located between adjacent ones of the series of frames to permit a reduced-perimeter aircraft fuselage with substantially equal passenger comfort metrics. In some embodiments, in addition, a series of windows are located adjacent outboard seats of the series of rows of seats to permit ergonomically appropriate viewing through the series of windows by passengers seated in the outboard seats.

Abstract: An aircraft configuration that may reduce the level of noise, infrared radiation, sonic boom, or combination thereof directed towards the ground from an aircraft in flight. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an aircraft includes a tubular fuselage, two delta wings, at least one engine mounted to the aircraft and higher than the wings, and vertical stabilizers mounted on each wing outboard of the outermost engine. Each wing may include a wing strake at the leading edge of the wing and extending to the fuselage and an aft deck. The leading edge of the wing may extend forward of the intake of the engine, and the trailing edge of the aft deck may extend aft of the engine exhaust. The aft deck may include an upwardly rotatable pitch control surface at the trailing edge of the deck.

Abstract: A service galley at the rear of an aircraft that has a generally U-shaped configuration of multiple cart storage compartments. The rear galley also includes an island of cart storage compartments. The island may be attached to the floor of the aircraft or to a bulkhead. Mobile service carts are stored within the storage compartments.

Abstract: A stepping exercise apparatus with a motivational display is disclosed. The apparatus has a computer linked with the display and programmed to generate a pair of icons. One icon (the pace icon) represents a fictitious competitor exercising at a target pace, and the other icon (the user icon) represents the user. When the user exercises more slowly or more quickly than the target pace, the user icon moves behind or ahead of the pace icon, respectively. The computer is programmed to accept a user-selected target pace. Thus the user is motivated to improve his performance by competing against the pace icon. The display also contains a progress display indicating to the user his progress toward a target distance.