Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly is disclosed in which a low profile pneumatic tire having sidewalls which deflect inwardly under load and a wheel having a rim featuring a narrow central channel and extended rim flanges form the combination. The extended rim flanges support the tire sidewalls under static and dynamic loading conditions to produce a combination particularly suited to aircraft applications.

Abstract: A leading edge flap system for the tapered wing of an aircraft and more particularly, the spanwise flap segments and their linkage mechanism allow a relatively large leading edge bullnose member to be extended and unfolded out from a wing cavity. Each of the spanwise flap segments is supported from the leading edge of the wing by a pair of linkage mechanisms which are spaced apart spanwise and attached towards each spanwise end portion of the flap segment. The spanwise spaced apart linkage mechanisms are interconnected by a torque tube which is rotated through a fixed number of degrees by an actuator. By altering the geometry of the linkage mechanism, a differential motion is applied between the spanwise ends of the flap segment to torsionally twist the panel in a spanwise direction thereby varying the flap deflection angle spanwise.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steerable, articulated landing gear particularly useful on cargo aircraft and providing a capability to selectively raise and lower the aircraft fuselage, and hence the cargo deck, to a height convenient for loading and unloading of cargo therefrom. The gear includes a shock strut, and a wheel lever on one end of which are mounted two wheels. The wheel lever is pivotably connected to the lower end of the strut at an articulation point remote from the rotational axes of the truck wheels. An extendable-retractable shock absorber mounted within the strut is connected to the lever at a point between the strut-lever articulation and the rotational axes of the wheels. Retraction of the shock absorber lowers the strut-lever articulation relative to the axes of the wheels. A ground-engaging member or "kneeler" depending downwardly from the lower end of the strut at the strut-lever articulation defines a flat, horizontally orientable, ground engaging surface.