Methods, systems, and assemblies for controlling flight control surfaces of an aircraft wing are described. The method comprises displacing a first trailing edge of a first flight control surface towards a contact surface of a second flight control surface; determining a mechanical stiffness of the first flight control surface as defined by a ratio of ΔF/ΔX as the first flight control surface is displaced, where ΔF is a difference in force F applied to at least two different positions X1 and X2 of the first flight control surface at times T1 and T2, and ΔX is a difference in position X2−X1; and achieving full contact between the first trailing edge and the second leading edge when a known full contact mechanical stiffness is reached.

Methods, systems, and assemblies for controlling flight control surfaces of an aircraft wing are described. The method comprises displacing a first trailing edge of a first flight control surface towards a contact surface of a second flight control surface; determining a mechanical stiffness of the first flight control surface as defined by a ratio of ΔF/ΔX as the first flight control surface is displaced, where ΔF is a difference in force F applied to at least two different positions X1 and X2 of the first flight control surface at times T1 and T2, and ΔX is a difference in position X2−X1; and achieving full contact between the first trailing edge and the second leading edge when a known full contact mechanical stiffness is reached.

A braking force generation device has: a first mode in which a deflector and a blocker door are retracted with respect to a wing; a third mode in which, while the leading edge and the trailing edge of the deflector are separated from the wing and the blocker door is retracted, a second flow path is formed in which fluid flows via a fan from an opening on the leading edge side of the deflector to an opening on the trailing edge side; and a second mode in which, while the leading edge of the deflector is separated from the wing with the trailing edge being close to the wing and the blocker door is deployed, a first flow path is formed in which fluid flows via the fan from an opening on the blocker door side to the opening on the leading edge side of the deflector.

A braking force generation device has: a first mode in which a deflector and a blocker door are retracted with respect to a wing; a third mode in which, while the leading edge and the trailing edge of the deflector are separated from the wing and the blocker door is retracted, a second flow path is formed in which fluid flows via a fan from an opening on the leading edge side of the deflector to an opening on the trailing edge side; and a second mode in which, while the leading edge of the deflector is separated from the wing with the trailing edge being close to the wing and the blocker door is deployed, a first flow path is formed in which fluid flows via the fan from an opening on the blocker door side to the opening on the leading edge side of the deflector.

An airfoil segment for inclusion in an aircraft wing is provided. The multi-element slotted airfoil segment has at least one propeller operatively located in a slot communicating therethrough for improved low speed performance and control. Upstream propeller flow field effects generated allow the front portion of the airfoil segment to be structurally efficient thicker airfoils with higher lift-to-drag laminar airfoils or higher maximum lift coefficient designs. The downstream propeller flow field acting on the aft portion of the airfoil segment increases lift and allows flaps on the aft portion to provide control forces/moments at static or low flight speeds for short or vertical take-off.

A method of using a split winglet includes providing an aircraft having a winglet attach fitting attaching a split winglet to a wing. The split winglet has an upper winglet and a lower winglet. The method additionally includes maintaining the winglet attach fitting and winglet at a first height relative to a fuselage when the aircraft is non-flying, and moving the winglet attach fitting and winglet to a second height relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is flying, the second height being higher than the first height.

A method of using a split winglet includes providing an aircraft having a winglet attach fitting attaching a split winglet to a wing. The split winglet has an upper winglet and a lower winglet. The method additionally includes maintaining the winglet attach fitting and winglet at a first height relative to a fuselage when the aircraft is non-flying, and moving the winglet attach fitting and winglet to a second height relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is flying, the second height being higher than the first height.

A wing tip device for fixing to the outboard end of a wing, the wing defining a wing plane, the wing tip device comprising: an upper wing-like element projecting upwardly with respect to the wing plane and having a trailing edge; and a lower wing-like element fixed with respect to the upper wing-like element and having a root chord and a trailing edge, the lower wing-like element root chord intersecting with the upper wing-like element, and the lower wing-like element projecting downwardly from the intersection, wherein the upper wing-like element is larger than the lower wing-like element and the trailing edge of the lower wing-like element is adjacent the trailing edge of the upper wing-like element at the intersection, and wherein an included angle between the upper and lower wing-like elements at the intersection is less than, or equal to, 160 degrees. Also, a wing with the wing tip device; an aircraft with the wing; a method of fitting, or retro-fitting, the wing tip device to a wing; a method of modifying an existing wing tip device; and a method of operating a wing with the wing tip device.

A wing tip device for fixing to the outboard end of a wing, the wing defining a wing plane, the wing tip device comprising: an upper wing-like element projecting upwardly with respect to the wing plane and having a trailing edge; and a lower wing-like element fixed with respect to the upper wing-like element and having a root chord and a trailing edge, the lower wing-like element root chord intersecting with the upper wing-like element, and the lower wing-like element projecting downwardly from the intersection, wherein the upper wing-like element is larger than the lower wing-like element and the trailing edge of the lower wing-like element is adjacent the trailing edge of the upper wing-like element at the intersection, and wherein an included angle between the upper and lower wing-like elements at the intersection is less than, or equal to, 160 degrees. Also, a wing with the wing tip device; an aircraft with the wing; a method of fitting, or retro-fitting, the wing tip device to a wing; a method of modifying an existing wing tip device; and a method of operating a wing with the wing tip device.

A locking pin associated with one of a fixed wing and a wing tip device, and a bush associated with the other of the fixed wing and wing tip device, the bush configured to receive the locking pin. The bush is located within a bush housing arranged to allow relative movement of the bush in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the locking pin when the locking pin is received within the bush.