A method of retrofitting a wing of a fixed wing aircraft is disclosed including the steps of providing an existing aircraft wing with a main fixed wing portion, and the main fixed wing portion having a tip end and an existing movable flight control surface connected adjacent the tip end. The existing movable flight control surface is then removed from the main fixed wing portion, and a wing tip device and movable flight control surface are selected as a pair to replace the existing movable flight control surface, with the selected movable flight control surface having an aerodynamic surface of different shape to the shape of the flight control surface removed from the wing. The selected wing tip device and movable flight control surface are then fitted to the main fixed wing portion.

A method of retrofitting a wing of a fixed wing aircraft is disclosed including the steps of providing an existing aircraft wing with a main fixed wing portion, and the main fixed wing portion having a tip end and an existing movable flight control surface connected adjacent the tip end. The existing movable flight control surface is then removed from the main fixed wing portion, and a wing tip device and movable flight control surface are selected as a pair to replace the existing movable flight control surface, with the selected movable flight control surface having an aerodynamic surface of different shape to the shape of the flight control surface removed from the wing. The selected wing tip device and movable flight control surface are then fitted to the main fixed wing portion.

Systems and methods for aircraft flight control rigging are described. An example system includes a first set of laser rangefinders to measure, for each laser rangefinder of the first set, a distance from the laser rangefinder to a respective target location on a fixed surface of an aircraft, and a second set of laser rangefinders to measure, for each laser rangefinder of the second set, a distance to a respective target location on a control surface of the aircraft. The example system also includes a processor to (i) receive signals indicative of the distance measured by each rangefinder and (ii) generate a first plot line graphic of the measured distances of each of the rangefinders of the first set to its respective target location and a second plot line graphic of the measured distances of each of the laser rangefinders of the second set to its respective target location.

A variable camber system for an aircraft wing including a wing bracket extending downward from a wing, a flap bracket pivotably coupled to the wing bracket, and a flap pivotably coupled to the flap bracket such that the flap pivots around an axis of rotation through the flap. The variable camber system is configured to adjust position of both the flap and the flap bracket relative to the wing while maintaining position of the flap relative to the flap bracket. The variable camber system is also configured to adjust position of the flap relative to the flap bracket.

A variable camber system for an aircraft wing including a wing bracket extending downward from a wing, a flap bracket pivotably coupled to the wing bracket, and a flap pivotably coupled to the flap bracket such that the flap pivots around an axis of rotation through the flap. The variable camber system is configured to adjust position of both the flap and the flap bracket relative to the wing while maintaining position of the flap relative to the flap bracket. The variable camber system is also configured to adjust position of the flap relative to the flap bracket.

A powertrain including an engine; a main drive shaft assembly; a primary clutch mechanism coupled to the engine and the a main drive shaft assembly, the primary clutch mechanism being operable to connect or disconnect the main drive shaft assembly and the engine; an axle shaft coupled transversely to the main drive shaft assembly; a secondary clutch mechanism having a driving member coupled to an end of the axle shaft; a drive wheel coupled to a first driven member of the secondary clutch mechanism; and an air propulsion unit coupled to a second driven member of the secondary clutch mechanism. The secondary clutch mechanism being operable to engage or disengage the first driven member and/or the second driven member to the driving member so as to connect or disconnect the drive wheel and/or the air propulsion unit to the axle shaft. A vehicle including the powertrain.

A wing for an aircraft including a slat, and a connection assembly for movably connecting the slat to the main wing. The connection assembly includes a first connection element movably mounted to the main wing and mounted to the slat, and a second connection element movably mounted to the main wing and mounted to the slat. The connection assembly includes a drive unit connected to the slat that includes a first and second drive station spaced apart in the wing span direction. The first drive station has a first input section, a first gear unit and a first output section connected to the slat. The second drive station has a second input section connected to the drive shaft, a second gear unit, and a second output section connected to the slat. The drive unit includes a sync shaft coupling the first output section to the second output section.

A wing for an aircraft including a slat, and a connection assembly for movably connecting the slat to the main wing. The connection assembly includes a first connection element movably mounted to the main wing and mounted to the slat, and a second connection element movably mounted to the main wing and mounted to the slat. The connection assembly includes a drive unit connected to the slat that includes a first and second drive station spaced apart in the wing span direction. The first drive station has a first input section, a first gear unit and a first output section connected to the slat. The second drive station has a second input section connected to the drive shaft, a second gear unit, and a second output section connected to the slat. The drive unit includes a sync shaft coupling the first output section to the second output section.

A flap slat control lever and a method for operating the lever are disclosed. The lever includes: a first displacement sensor to detect a displacement of the flap slat control lever and generate a first displacement detection signal; a second displacement sensor to detect the displacement of the flap slat control lever and generate a second displacement detection signal; a first control command module to receive the first displacement detection signal; and a second control command module to receive the second displacement detection signal, wherein the first control command module is in a standby state and the second control command module is in a working state.

A proportional braking system is provided for use with a movable surface which is movable relative to a housing. The proportional braking system includes a variable displacement brake which is configured for displacement toward or away from braking engagement with the movable surface in proportion to an input command and a brake driver which is receptive of data reflective of movements of the movable surface relative to the housing and which issues the input command to the variable displacement brake in accordance with the data.