A method for manufacturing a panel includes forming a path segment on a surface of a substrate from a photoluminescent material. The method further includes overlaying the path segment with an overlay material. The overlay material is configured to render the path segment substantially invisible under an ambient photopic condition and render the path segment visible under an ambient mesopic or scotopic condition.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing light communication (LC) for an aircraft. An LC transmitter is mounted on an aircraft fuselage and is configured to broadcast light signals within a defined region outside the aircraft. An LC receiver mounted on the aircraft fuselage is configured to receive light signals broadcast by a remote LC device. A controller is configured to manage LC signals in the aircraft, and an interface is provided between the controller and an aircraft data network. The light signals may be in a visible light spectrum, an invisible light spectrum, or both. The remote LC device may be, for example, a ground station, an aircraft, a ground vehicle, a ship, a building, or a portable transmitter.

A flying drone for inspecting surfaces able to reflect light has a lighting device formed of two light sources each having a shape that is elongate in a longitudinal direction of each of the light sources, two first image acquisition devices, and a second image acquisition device between the two first image acquisition devices. The two light sources are respectively between the second image acquisition device and each of the first image acquisition devices. The flying drone allows effective detection of dents in surfaces by analyzing specular reflections, by the lighting device and of the first image acquisition devices, and effective detection of superficial defects on surfaces by the second image acquisition device, with the lighting device switched off.

A method is provided for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade of the rotorcraft having a rotor shaft and a rotor azimuth. The method comprises estimating a total rotor flapping value associated with the rotor blade during an operating condition of the rotorcraft. The estimated total rotor flapping value is relative to the rotor shaft as a function of the rotor azimuth. The method also comprises comparing the estimated total rotor flapping value to a rotor flapping limit value during the operating condition of the rotorcraft. The method further comprises sending a warning signal to a warning device when the estimated total rotor flapping value lies outside of the rotor flapping limit value to alert the rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of the rotor blade of the rotorcraft.

An apparatus for sterilizing an interior of a vehicle using a drone, may include a drone body of the drone and including a conformation sensor; one or more propellers coupled to the drone body; a UV unit coupled to the drone body and configured to radiate UV light; a sterilizer spray unit mounted to the drone body and configured to spray a sterilizer through the propeller; and a controller electrically connected to the UV unit or the sterilizer and configured to set a flight route in a vehicle, determine an infected region in the set flight route, and operate the UV unit or the sterilizer unit in correspondence to the infected region.

An aircraft navigation light, configured to be usable as any of a left forward navigation light, a right forward navigation light, and a tail navigation light of an aircraft, comprises a common support plate which is substantially vertical in the aircraft frame of reference; a first light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting red light; a second light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting green light; a third light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting white light; a driving circuit coupled to the first light source, the second light source and the third light source and configured to supply power to a selected one of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source; and a blocking element arranged to limit the light output of the aircraft navigation light to one lateral side.

An aircraft light comprises a support board; a light source, arranged on the support board; a first optical element, which is at least partially light transmissive, which is arranged over the light source, and which is fixed to the support board; and a second optical element, which is at least partially light transmissive, wherein the first optical element is interposed between the light source and the second optical element. The first optical element has a first engagement portion and the second optical element has a second engagement portion. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion establish a positive fit between the first optical element and the second optical element. At least a portion of light, which is emitted by the light source in operation, passes through the first optical element and through the second optical element.

An aircraft light (2) includes a support board (4); a light source (6), arranged on the support board (4); an optical element (8; 8′; 12; 14), arranged over the light source (6); and a kinematic coupling fixture (20), establishing a fixed position of the optical element (8; 8′; 12; 14) with respect to the support board (4).

An airport runway light for use as a runway approach light for a runway lighting system, the runway light having a light body with a base configured to support the runway light in a light socket of a runway lighting system, the base having an electrical connection to electrically connect the runway light to the runway lighting system, the light further including one or more output windows wherein the runway light has a high-efficiency infrared source and one or more infrared reflectors to direct the infrared source outwardly through the one or more output windows, the infrared source including a silicon nitride element wherein the infrared source produces virtually no detectable visible light and with much less power consumption.

An aircraft comprising a skin, a multiplicity of antenna arrangements, each of which is arranged in a different region of a corresponding multiplicity of mutually spaced regions of the skin and comprises an antenna element that is arranged and configured to emit radio waves into a surrounding area of the aircraft, and a multiplicity of visual indicators, each of which is assigned to a different antenna arrangement of the antenna arrangements. Each of the visual indicators is arranged on the skin or on the antenna arrangement in the region of the skin in which the assigned antenna arrangement is situated in such a manner that it is visible from outside the aircraft and emits light during operation in an on state.