A control augmentation system for high aspect ratio aircraft has aileron/flaperon and throttle position sensors; spoiler and flap controls; a mode switch with manual, and landing modes; and a controller driving left and right spoiler and flap servos, the controller including at least one processor with memory containing firmware configured to: when the mode switch is in manual mode, drive both spoiler servos to a symmetrical position according to the spoiler control; when the mode switch is in landing mode, drive the left spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, and the right spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, the left and right spoiler positions differing whenever ailerons are not centered, and an average of spoiler positions is more fully deployed when the throttle position is at a low-power setting than when the throttle position is at a high-power setting.

Systems and methods for controlling a fixed-wing aircraft during flight are disclosed. The aircraft comprises first and second flight control surfaces of different types. The method comprises determining that a pilot command of the first flight control surface will excite a structural flexible mode of the aircraft and then executing the pilot command of the first flight control surface in conjunction with a command of the second flight control surface to mitigate the effect of the excitation of the structural flexible mode of the aircraft.

Disclosed herein is an exemplary embodiment of a system for driving a slat of an aircraft. The system includes first and second hinge support elements of a wing structure, a first arm device, a second arm device, and a third arm device. Also disclosed is an aircraft having the system, an aircraft wing having the system, and a method for driving a slat of an aircraft. The system utilizes a particular configuration of connection junctions, which rotatably connect the arm devices and the hinge support elements.

A trailing edge system for a wing of an aircraft comprises a flap device arrangement configured for being mounted at a trailing edge of an aircraft wing, wherein at least two movable flap devices of the flap device arrangement are spaced apart from each other. A torque element is connecting the movable flap devices for transmitting a torque to the movable flap devices in order to actuate a rotational movement of the movable flap devices. An actuator for rotationally driving the torque element is provided. Also a method of operating control surfaces of an aircraft wing and an aircraft and aircraft wing with such a system.

A method and apparatus for positioning a control surface. An apparatus comprises an arm, first link, and second link. The arm has first and second ends, the first end of the arm rotatably coupled to a wing structure to define a first pivot point. The first link has first and second ends, the first end being rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm. The second link has first and second ends, the first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the arm. When the second end of the first link is rotatably coupled to a first control surface and the second end of the second link is rotatably coupled to a second control surface, movement of the first control surface away from the wing structure rotates the arm about the first pivot point such that the second control surface moves in coordination with the first control surface.

A method and apparatus for aerial delivery of a package dropped from an elevated location. The apparatus includes a main body having an internal compartment for receiving a package to be delivered. A controllable component is detachably mounted along an exterior surface of the main body. A control unit is mounted within the main body for deploying and/or controlling the at least one controllable component during a descent of the aerial delivery apparatus. A portable power supply is mounted within the main body and connected to the control unit for powering same. The main body is dimensioned to receive the controllable component within the main body when detached therefrom and to serve as a return shipping container for return mail shipment following the descent of the aerial delivery apparatus.

A method and apparatus for aerial delivery of a package dropped from an elevated location. The apparatus includes a main body having an internal compartment for receiving a package to be delivered. A controllable component is detachably mounted along an exterior surface of the main body. A control unit is mounted within the main body for deploying and/or controlling the at least one controllable component during a descent of the aerial delivery apparatus. A portable power supply is mounted within the main body and connected to the control unit for powering same. The main body is dimensioned to receive the controllable component within the main body when detached therefrom and to serve as a return shipping container for return mail shipment following the descent of the aerial delivery apparatus.

A control augmentation system for high aspect ratio aircraft has aileron/flaperon and throttle position sensors; spoiler and flap controls; a mode switch with manual, and landing modes; and a controller driving left and right spoiler and flap servos, the controller including at least one processor with memory containing firmware configured to: when the mode switch is in manual mode, drive both spoiler servos to a symmetrical position according to the spoiler control; when the mode switch is in landing mode, drive the left spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, and the right spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, the left and right spoiler positions differing whenever ailerons are not centered, and an average of spoiler positions is more fully deployed when the throttle position is at a low-power setting than when the throttle position is at a high-power setting.

A control augmentation system for high aspect ratio aircraft has aileron/flaperon and throttle position sensors; spoiler and flap controls; a mode switch with manual, and landing modes; and a controller driving left and right spoiler and flap servos, the controller including at least one processor with memory containing firmware configured to: when the mode switch is in manual mode, drive both spoiler servos to a symmetrical position according to the spoiler control; when the mode switch is in landing mode, drive the left spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, and the right spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, the left and right spoiler positions differing whenever ailerons are not centered, and an average of spoiler positions is more fully deployed when the throttle position is at a low-power setting than when the throttle position is at a high-power setting.

A wing-twist aircraft having a wing, an actuation system, a sensor, and/or a controller. The wing may have a wingspan that extends to a wing tip. The wing may further include a spar aligned in a span-wise direction, wherein at least one rib is operatively coupled to the spar. The actuation system may be configured to torsionally rotate the spar, which, in turn, torsionally rotates (pivots) the at least one rib coupled to the spar, thereby twisting the wing. The sensor may be configured to measure a characteristic of the wing, while the controller may be configured to command the actuation system to torsionally rotate the spar based at least in part on input from the sensor.