Abstract: Survival apparatus for an aircraft or the like. The survival apparatus includes a survival canister 12 in which survival gear is stowed. The canister assembly is buoyant and water tight. It is stowed prior to use in a cylindrical member 16 which is closed at one end. A maintaining structure 74 is provided to normally maintain the canister assembly 12 within the cylindrical member 16. A handle assembly 90 is provided to provide for the manual withdrawal of the assembly 12 from the cylindrical member 16, the handle assembly also engaging the maintaining structure and causing it to release the canister assembly upon application of force in one direction. A condition responsive gas discharge apparatus 14 is disposed in the closed end of the cylindrical member 16 and, in the event of an accident, it can forceably eject the canister assembly from the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A flotation device (10) attached to a skid member (11) of an aircraft skid undercarriage comprises a flexible bag member (15) adapted for inflation from a collapsed condition to a shape in which it provides at least partial support for an aircraft when it lands on water. A source of pressurized gas for inflating the bag member comprises a pressurized gas bottle (21) housed within and surrounded by the bag member.

Abstract: A helicopter flotation pack includes an inflatable flotation bladder secured to an intermediate structural member which includes means for attachment to a helicopter landing skid. The structural member cooperatively defines a sheltered chamber for inflation apparatus and also carries an environmentally protective cosmetic cover which advantageously directs the deployment of the flotation bladder during inflation. The nature of the interconnection between the inflation bladder and structural member is such that both in-flight stability and flotation load-bearing capacity of the flotation bladder are increased.

Abstract: Inflatable collars (32,34) are positioned on each side of a downed aircraft (10) and the collars (32,34) are connected by belly bands (80,100) to support the ends (18,20) of the aircraft (10). The bands (80,100) are positioned by positioning straps (90,90') which are attached to the aircraft (10) prior to inflation. The collars (32,34) are also attached to the aircraft (10) at intermediate locations (24,26). The collars (32,34) are divided into separate chambers (44,48,52,54,56,44',48',52',54',56') so that after inflation the different chambers of the collars (32,34) support the different parts (18,20,22) of the aircraft (10).

Abstract: An aircraft flotation unit used severally on both low wing and high wing and multi-engine aircraft, comprised of a fiberglass or equal enclosure attached to the underside of small and medium size aircraft and built into the underside of commercial size aircraft, said device varying in size and number dependent on the relative size of the aircraft and the unit or units containing rubberized fabric inflatable by gaseous liquid which is released by means of a throttle type control cable and/or automatic device from a container, which when activated thereby allows the fiberglass enclosure to open and the rectangular flat inflatable floats to extend and support all types of aircraft upon the surface of the water. The floats have two additional valves for oral and mechanical inflation. When the floats are extended to their most extended position, they are all on the same plane.

Abstract: A flow control is provided between an inflatable and a smaller inflatable log which positions the inflatable with respect to the craft to which it is affixed. The flow control permits the inflation of the positioning log through the inflatable but restricts the flow of fluid back from the positioning log to the inflatable.

Abstract: An expandable fuel storage tank for aircraft has a resilient exterior wall panel in the form of a leaf spring anchored at both ends to a surface region of the aircraft, one anchorage being in the form of a simple hinge and the other incorporating a translatory device so that when the wall panel becomes bowed outwards due to the fuel storage tank being filled with fuel the ends of the panel can move relatively toward one another. The panel is formed as a spring such that when fuel is removed from the fuel storage tank, the panel tends to flatten to resume a position in general continuity with the surface region of the aircraft.