Abstract: A rotor ice protection system (RIPS) apparatus for an aircraft to heat aircraft rotor blades is provided. The RIPS apparatus includes circuitry disposed to transmit electrical loads associated with RIPS operations, an indicator unit disposed to alert a pilot of the aircraft to a RIPS condition indicating an operating status of the RIPS operations, a controller configured to actuate the RIPS operations in accordance with current conditions and to issue a command to the indicator unit to alert the pilot to the RIPS operations according to the actuation and a sensor system disposed to sense whether the circuitry is transmitting the electrical loads and to provide a sensing result to the indicator unit. The indicator unit additionally alerts the pilot to the RIPS operations according to the sensing result.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical system of an aircraft is provided. The method includes initiating a cross-start action for cross-starting a non-operative engine using a generator of an operative engine, entering a power limiting mode of a generator control unit (GCU) of the operative engine, remaining in the power limiting mode for a duration of the cross-start action and returning to the non-power limiting mode of the GCU of the operative engine upon completion of the cross-start action.

Abstract: A rotor ice protection system (RIPS) apparatus for an aircraft to heat aircraft rotor blades is provided. The RIPS apparatus includes circuitry disposed to transmit electrical loads associated with RIPS operations, an indicator unit disposed to alert a pilot of the aircraft to a RIPS condition indicating an operating status of the RIPS operations, a controller configured to actuate the RIPS operations in accordance with current conditions and to issue a command to the indicator unit to alert the pilot to the RIPS operations according to the actuation and a sensor system disposed to sense whether the circuitry is transmitting the electrical loads and to provide a sensing result to the indicator unit. The indicator unit additionally alerts the pilot to the RIPS operations according to the sensing result.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical system of an aircraft is provided. The method includes initiating a cross-start action for cross-starting a non-operative engine using a generator of an operative engine, entering a power limiting mode of a generator control unit (GCU) of the operative engine, remaining in the power limiting mode for a duration of the cross-start action and returning to the non-power limiting mode of the GCU of the operative engine upon completion of the cross-start action.

Abstract: An improved pick for playing stringed musical instruments such as guitars, banjos and the like comprising a generally flat pick body sized and configured to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of a player and including a first end, a second end and surrounding sidewalls that define a tear drop shape, and further including picking means comprising an enlarged, substantially bullet nose shaped portion at the first pick body end for plucking the strings of the musical instrument. The improved pick of this invention further comprises gripping means disposed along the pick body's upper and lower surfaces which preferably comprise a plurality of small, cone shaped members arranged in rows. In a most preferred embodiment, the pick body of the invention will have a wedge or aerodynamic shape.