In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame such that the flying frame is rotatable about the pod assembly wherein, the pod assembly remains in a generally horizontal attitude during vertical takeoff and landing, forward flight and transitions therebetween.

A heated roller shade system is provided. The heated roller shade system includes a roller located in a cavity defined between an inner wall of a vehicle and an outer wall of the vehicle. The roller shade system also includes a shade coupled to the roller. The roller is configured to selectively move the shade between a deployed position and an open position. The roller shade system also includes a heating mechanism coupled to at least one of the roller and the shade. The heating mechanism facilitates increasing a temperature of at least one of the roller and the shade.

A heated roller shade system is provided. The heated roller shade system includes a roller located in a cavity defined between an inner wall of a vehicle and an outer wall of the vehicle. The roller shade system also includes a shade coupled to the roller. The roller is configured to selectively move the shade between a deployed position and an open position. The roller shade system also includes a heating mechanism coupled to at least one of the roller and the shade. The heating mechanism facilitates increasing a temperature of at least one of the roller and the shade.

A passenger aircraft with a passenger cabin is described, wherein the passenger aircraft comprises a fully functional door, which is openable and closable and which is adapted for an entrance and an exit of passengers, and en emergency exit door, which is exclusively adapted for an emergency exit of passengers from the passenger cabin. Therein, the emergency exit door is arranged in an area of a fuselage of the passenger aircraft, which is arranged ahead of and/or behind of wings of the passenger aircraft.

A passenger aircraft with a passenger cabin is described, wherein the passenger aircraft comprises a fully functional door, which is openable and closable and which is adapted for an entrance and an exit of passengers, and en emergency exit door, which is exclusively adapted for an emergency exit of passengers from the passenger cabin. Therein, the emergency exit door is arranged in an area of a fuselage of the passenger aircraft, which is arranged ahead of and/or behind of wings of the passenger aircraft.

An air vehicle has a body and a canopy disposed on the body so as to be able to move relatively to the body and enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit. More than one hook is located on the canopy. More than one pin is located on the body thus enabling the canopy to be fixed to the body by engagement to the book. The canopy has an open position enables access to the cockpit so as to leave a gap between the canopy and the body. The canopy has a closed position in which the canopy contacts the body so that there is almost no gap left between the body and the canopy. The canopy has an locked position in which the canopy is fixed to the body by locking the pin to the hook.

An air vehicle has a body and a canopy disposed on the body so as to be able to move relatively to the body and enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit. More than one hook is located on the canopy. More than one pin is located on the body thus enabling the canopy to be fixed to the body by engagement to the book. The canopy has an open position enables access to the cockpit so as to leave a gap between the canopy and the body. The canopy has a closed position in which the canopy contacts the body so that there is almost no gap left between the body and the canopy. The canopy has an locked position in which the canopy is fixed to the body by locking the pin to the hook.

An actuation device for opening an emergency exit flap of a cockpit door is provided. The actuation device comprises a support structure, at least two securing elements, an actuation element and a deflection mechanism. The support structure is configured so as to be fastened to the emergency exit flap. The securing elements are integrated into the support structure and are configured so as to fasten the actuation device, and thus the emergency exit flap, to the cockpit door. The actuation element is connected to the support structure. Therein, the deflection mechanism connects the securing elements to the actuation element in such a way that a force which is exerted on the actuation element is diverted in such a way that the securing elements are released from the cockpit door.

An actuation device for opening an emergency exit flap of a cockpit door is provided. The actuation device comprises a support structure, at least two securing elements, an actuation element and a deflection mechanism. The support structure is configured so as to be fastened to the emergency exit flap. The securing elements are integrated into the support structure and are configured so as to fasten the actuation device, and thus the emergency exit flap, to the cockpit door. The actuation element is connected to the support structure. Therein, the deflection mechanism connects the securing elements to the actuation element in such a way that a force which is exerted on the actuation element is diverted in such a way that the securing elements are released from the cockpit door.

A method for retrieving personnel is provided. The method includes receiving a radio signal indicating a real-time position of personnel to be retrieved, deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle to the real-time position, receiving an indication that the personnel to be retrieved is on-board the unmanned aerial vehicle, and operating the unmanned aerial vehicle to move the personnel to a different location.