Abstract: Integrally stiffened and formed, load carrying structures comprising a plurality of elongated thin-walled tubes placed co-extensively in a complementary side-by-side fashion which together form a hollow structure having a desired external contour. Integral skins forming the external and internal surfaces of the structure cooperatively therewith. The structure can be formed with an underlying internal support member spanning the interior of the load carrying structure, thereby connecting opposite sides of the structure together. Also, each of the tubes are wound with fibers in controlled orientations generally paralleling the direction of the loads applied to the tubes to optimize the strength to weight ratio of the tubes.

Abstract: Integrally stiffened and formed, load carrying structures comprising a plurality of elongated thin-walled tubes placed co-extensively in a complementary side-by-side fashion which together form a hollow structure having a desired external contour. Integral skins forming the external and internal surfaces of the structure cooperatively therewith. The structure can be formed with an underlying internal support member spanning the interior of the load carrying structure, thereby connecting opposite sides of the structure together. Also, each of the tubes are wound with fibers in controlled orientations generally paralleling the direction of the loads applied to the tubes to optimize the strength to weight ratio of the tubes.

Abstract: Integrally stiffened and formed, load carrying structures comprising a plurality of elongated thin-walled tubes placed co-extensively in a complementary side-by-side fashion which together form a hollow structure having a desired external contour. Integral skins forming the external and internal surfaces of the structure cooperatively therewith. The structure can be formed with an underlying internal support member spanning the interior of the load carrying structure, thereby connecting opposite sides of the structure together. Also, each of the tubes are wound with fibers in controlled orientations generally paralleling the direction of the loads applied to the tubes to optimize the strength to weight ratio of the tubes. Still a number of embodiments are disclosed to couple two structures together. In addition, an apparatus and method is disclosed to form a window opening within the fuselage and to install a window covering that is both time saving and cost efficient.

Abstract: The present invention includes an instrument panel that is adapted to stand over the lap of a pilot within a cockpit of an aircraft to make more efficient use of the limited space within the cockpit. The panel houses at least a portion of the instruments that are installed in the cockpit to fly the aircraft. More efficiently use of the space within the cockpit reduces the size and weight of the cockpit. Moreover, reducing the weight of the cockpit allows the cockpit with the canopy to be ejected from the aircraft rather than just the pilot seat. The cockpit enclosed by the canopy ejects the pilot faster and protects the pilot during and after the ejection. The ejection is faster because there is no need to remove the canopy before ejecting the seat. The pilot is further protected because the canopy protects the pilot from wind impact and harsh atmospheric conditions at high altitude.