Avionic display systems and methods are provided for generating avionic displays including instability prediction and avoidance symbology, such as dynamically-adjusted drag device deployment cues. In one embodiment, the avionic display system includes a controller and an avionic display device, which is coupled to the controller and on which an avionic display, such as a Vertical Situation Display (VSD), is generated. The controller is configured to: (i) project whether an unstable aircraft state will occur during an approach flown by an aircraft; (ii) when an unstable aircraft state is projected to occur, determine whether implementation of an optimized drag device deployment scheme can prevent the projected occurrence of the unstable aircraft state; and (iii) if determining that the implementation of the optimized drag device deployment scheme can prevent occurrence of the projected unstable aircraft state, generating symbology on the avionic display indicative of the optimized drag device deployment scheme.

Avionic display systems and methods are provided for generating avionic displays including instability prediction and avoidance symbology, such as dynamically-adjusted drag device deployment cues. In one embodiment, the avionic display system includes a controller and an avionic display device, which is coupled to the controller and on which an avionic display, such as a Vertical Situation Display (VSD), is generated. The controller is configured to: (i) project whether an unstable aircraft state will occur during an approach flown by an aircraft; (ii) when an unstable aircraft state is projected to occur, determine whether implementation of an optimized drag device deployment scheme can prevent the projected occurrence of the unstable aircraft state; and (iii) if determining that the implementation of the optimized drag device deployment scheme can prevent occurrence of the projected unstable aircraft state, generating symbology on the avionic display indicative of the optimized drag device deployment scheme.

A hinge mechanism for hingedly coupling a flight control member having a top surface to an aircraft component having a top surface includes a first hinge member pivotably coupled to the flight control member about a first axis and slidingly coupled to the aircraft component and a second hinge member pivotably coupled to the aircraft component about a second axis and slidingly coupled to the flight control member. The first hinge member is pivotably coupled to the second hinge member about a central axis. The first hinge member and the second hinge member are configured to cooperatively facilitate movement the flight control member relative to the aircraft component between at least a stowed position and a deployed position.

A composite structure with an integrated hinge is disclosed. In various embodiments, the composite structure includes a plurality of layers of fiber reinforced polymer material; and a hinge structure comprising one or more layers of bendably flexible hinge material a first region of which is interleaved between adjacent layers of said layers of fiber reinforced polymer material comprising the composite structure and bonded to said adjacent layers by bonding material comprising said composite structure, and a second region of which extends beyond said layers of fiber reinforced polymer material comprising the composite structure.

This disclosure is directed to a methodology for designing spoilers or droop panels and aerodynamic systems including the designed spoilers or the designed droop panels. The spoilers and the droop panels can be deployed on a wing with a flap system, which provides for trailing edge variable camber (TEVC) system. During flight, the fixed portions of the wing, the flaps, the spoilers and droop panels can all deform. The spoilers or the droop panels can each be pre-deformed to a first shape on the ground such that in flight the spoilers or the droop panels deform to a second shape under aerodynamic loads. In the second shape, the spoilers or the droop panels are configured to seal better against the flaps. The spoilers or the droop panels can be configured to seal to the flaps during all of the positions the flaps take as part of the TEVC system.

Provided are flight control mechanisms, such as omnidirectional thrust mechanisms (OTMs), and methods of using such mechanisms. These mechanisms may be positioned in wings, tails, or other components of aircraft. A mechanism may comprise a center member and top and bottom panels. The center member may comprise two curved segments joint at a center edge. The top and bottom panels may be independently pivotable relative to the center member. At high speeds, the top panel and/or the bottom panel may be pivoted outward to change the lift, drag, roll, and/or other flight conditions. The mechanism may also include a gas nozzle to direct compressed gas to the center member. The center member and/or the top and bottom panels redirect this gas resulting in forces in one of four directions, which are used for controlling the aircraft at low speeds, down to hover.

A structural assembly (900) and method of fabricating the same, the method comprising: providing a first member (204) comprising a bond surface (800) and a plurality of protrusions (802) extending from the bond surface (800), a length of each of the protrusions (802) from the bond surface (800) being less than or equal to 2 mm; providing a second member (202) comprising a fibre-reinforced composite material, the fibre-reinforced composite material comprising a plurality of elongate fibres (902) embedded in a polymer matrix (904); while the polymer matrix (904) is in its plastic state, forcing the second member (202) against the bond surface (800) and the protrusions (802) so as to cause the second member (202) to form onto the bond surface (800) and the protrusions (802); and thereafter causing the polymer matrix (904) to harden, thereby fixing the first member (204) to the bond surface of the second member (202).

A method of forming a monolithic aircraft structure having multiple aerodynamic surfaces includes forming a body component to have a body skin defining a body skin outer surface, and a body side wall integrally formed with the body skin and defining a body mating surface, the body skin outer surface providing a first aerodynamic surface. A cover component is formed to have a cover mating surface and a cover outer surface opposite the cover mating surface, the cover outer surface defining a second aerodynamic surface. The body component is positioned relative to the cover component so that the body mating surface engages the cover mating surface. At least portions of the cover mating surface are friction stir welded to the body mating surface to form friction stir welded joints between the body component and the cover component.

An aircraft engine nacelle spoiler assembly including a number of spoilers and actuators. Each spoiler has a drag surface and a nacelle connection point. The spoilers are shiftable via the actuators between a stowed position and a deployed position such that the drag surfaces are substantially parallel with the direction of relative wind when the spoilers are stowed and exposed to the relative wind when the spoilers are deployed.

An aircraft engine nacelle spoiler assembly including a number of spoilers and actuators. Each spoiler has a drag surface and a nacelle connection point. The spoilers are shiftable via the actuators between a stowed position and a deployed position such that the drag surfaces are substantially parallel with the direction of relative wind when the spoilers are stowed and exposed to the relative wind when the spoilers are deployed.