Abstract: A method of assembling a dock is provided. The method includes positioning a first dock module adjacent a second dock module wherein each dock module includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls extending therebetween. Each top surface includes at least one channel extending between opposed sidewalls, each bottom surface includes at least one pocket therein, and each sidewall includes at least one coupling slot extending from the top surface. A first coupling slot of the first dock module is substantially aligned with a first coupling slot of the second dock module. The method also includes inserting a first coupler into the first coupling slot of the first dock module and into the first coupling slot of the second dock module such that the dock modules are secured to one another.

Abstract: A molded gangway section is provided to form a gangway between a shore and a dock, pier, and the like. The gangway includes an upper tread surface and a bottom surface having recesses formed therein. The ceilings or upper surfaces of the recesses are formed with grooves. Two or more of the gangway sections can be connected together to form gangways of incrementally increasing lengths. Hinge connections are provided to connect the gangway to piers, docks, shore abutments, ramps, etc. Additionally, a roller can be mounted to a shore end of the gangway.

Abstract: A molded gangway section is provided to form a gangway between a shore and a dock, pier, and the like. The gangway includes an upper tread surface and a bottom surface having recesses formed therein. The ceilings or upper surfaces of the recesses are formed with grooves. Two or more of the gangway sections can be connected together to form gangways of incrementally increasing lengths. Hinge connections are provided to connect the gangway to piers, docks, shore abutments, ramps, etc. Additionally, a roller can be mounted to a shore end of the gangway.

Abstract: A system is provided for increasing autopilot control authority in a vehicle, such as aircraft including mechanical control systems. The system includes an autopilot system, a control element and an autopilot supplement assembly. The autopilot system can automatically control the vehicle by applying a variable autopilot force to control surfaces. The control element can control the vehicle by applying a variable control force to control surfaces, where the control force acts counter to the autopilot force. The autopilot supplement assembly can measure the control force and, in turn, determine a variable supplemental force. Thereafter, the autopilot supplement assembly can apply the supplemental force to the control surfaces such that the sum of the supplemental force and the autopilot force is greater than the control force. Thus, the system may provide the benefits of systems that require full control authority to vehicles such as aircraft that include mechanical control systems.

Abstract: A flight simulator includes a central processing unit and a flight simulation environment controlled by the central processing unit for simulating the flight of an aircraft. The central processing unit is programmed to observe a full fidelity model of the aircraft in flight so as to extract pilot inputs and aircraft responses at each of successive time intervals. The central processing unit is further programmed to calculate a damping and an undamped natural frequency of the aircraft from the extracted pilot inputs and aircraft responses and to simulate the flight of the aircraft by applying the damping and undamped natural frequency to a second order transfer function.

Abstract: A winch device for snowmobiles, having a tensile member (34) and a centering harness (36), with tensile member (34) being configured to be removably attached to the track (24) of a snowmobile and centering harness (36) being configured to be removably attached to the front end of the snowmobile. In use, the centering harness provides support for a guide (38) that receives and guides tensile member (34). One end of tensile member (34) attaches to a track (24), and the other end attaches to some solid and secure object. When power is applied to the snowmobile, track (24) rotates, thereby propelling the snowmobile forward along the length of tensile member (34) and toward the solid and secure object to which the tensile member is attached.