A high-lift actuation system for differentially actuating a plurality of high-lift surfaces of an aircraft is disclosed. An exemplary high-lift actuation system includes a centralized drive device for centralized actuation control of an inboard high-lift surface of a first wing and a second wing, respectively, and at least two independent drive devices for individual actuation control of an outboard high-lift surface of the first wing and the second wing, respectively. The centralized drive device may include a central power drive unit (PDU) operably coupled to a common central driveline for driving the inboard high-lift surfaces, and the common central driveline may be separate and spaced apart from a respective driveline of the independent drive devices. The common central driveline may mechanically synchronize movement of the inboard high-lift surfaces, and a controller may electronically coordinate synchronized movement and controlled differential movement of the plurality of high-lift surfaces.

A high-lift actuation system for differentially actuating a plurality of high-lift surfaces of an aircraft is disclosed. An exemplary high-lift actuation system includes a centralized drive device for centralized actuation control of an inboard high-lift surface of a first wing and a second wing, respectively, and at least two independent drive devices for individual actuation control of an outboard high-lift surface of the first wing and the second wing, respectively. The centralized drive device may include a central power drive unit (PDU) operably coupled to a common central driveline for driving the inboard high-lift surfaces, and the common central driveline may be separate and spaced apart from a respective driveline of the independent drive devices. The common central driveline may mechanically synchronize movement of the inboard high-lift surfaces, and a controller may electronically coordinate synchronized movement and controlled differential movement of the plurality of high-lift surfaces.

A remote optical control surface indication system comprising mechanisms configured to engage heads of respective fasteners that attach an alignment indexing plate to a vehicular structure having a control surface coupled thereto. The system further comprises: a camera having a field of view that encompasses a portion of an end face of the control surface when the mechanisms are engaged with the fasteners and when the control surface is in a neutral position; a source of light that is activatable to project light that illuminates the end face of the control surface; a display screen comprising an array of pixels; and a computing system configured to process image data captured by the camera to determine a current position of a centerline of the end face of the control surface relative to a baseline position and control the display screen to display symbology indicating the current position relative to the baseline position.

An electrical connector includes a first pass-through connector, a second pass-through connector, and a center portion coupled between the first pass-through connector and the second pass-through connector. The center portion includes a plurality of electrical connection points on an exterior surface of the center portion. The electrical connector also includes a plurality of pass-through wires extending from the first pass-through connector to the second pass-through connector through the center portion, wherein the plurality of electrical connection points are electronically coupled to the plurality of pass-through wires.

A remote optical control surface indication system comprising mechanisms configured to engage heads of respective fasteners that attach an alignment indexing plate to a vehicular structure having a control surface coupled thereto. The system further comprises: a camera having a field of view that encompasses a portion of an end face of the control surface when the mechanisms are engaged with the fasteners and when the control surface is in a neutral position; a source of light that is activatable to project light that illuminates the end face of the control surface; a display screen comprising an array of pixels; and a computing system configured to process image data captured by the camera to determine a current position of a centerline of the end face of the control surface relative to a baseline position and control the display screen to display symbology indicating the current position relative to the baseline position.

A remote optical control surface indication system comprising mechanisms configured to engage heads of respective fasteners that attach an alignment indexing plate to a vehicular structure having a control surface coupled thereto. The system further comprises: a camera having a field of view that encompasses a portion of an end face of the control surface when the mechanisms are engaged with the fasteners and when the control surface is in a neutral position; a source of light that is activatable to project light that illuminates the end face of the control surface; a display screen comprising an array of pixels; and a computing system configured to process image data captured by the camera to determine a current position of a centerline of the end face of the control surface relative to a baseline position and control the display screen to display symbology indicating the current position relative to the baseline position.

Methods and systems for assisting the piloting of an aircraft are provided. The system includes at least one avionics type system and at least one non-avionics type system. The method includes steps involving receiving avionics type data associated with a flying context of the aircraft; forwarding the avionics type data to a non-avionics type system or computer; determining, in the non-avionics computer, one or more adjustment recommendations for equipment based on the received flying context and/or on predetermined data; displaying one or more recommendations. Various developments are described, in particular the conditions for requesting and/or computing recommendations (e.g. ongoing adjustment of the avionics, similar previous configuration, etc.), the selection and the categorization of recommendations, the handling of adjustment data for the avionics, etc. Software aspects are described.

Methods and systems for assisting the piloting of an aircraft are provided. The system includes at least one avionics type system and at least one non-avionics type system. The method includes steps involving receiving avionics type data associated with a flying context of the aircraft; forwarding the avionics type data to a non-avionics type system or computer; determining, in the non-avionics computer, one or more adjustment recommendations for equipment based on the received flying context and/or on predetermined data; displaying one or more recommendations. Various developments are described, in particular the conditions for requesting and/or computing recommendations (e.g. ongoing adjustment of the avionics, similar previous configuration, etc.), the selection and the categorization of recommendations, the handling of adjustment data for the avionics, etc. Software aspects are described.

A deployable vortex generator attached to a lifting surface includes a vane moveable relative to the lifting surface. The vane moves from a deployed position to a retracted position in response to a change in ambient conditions. In the deployed position, the vane acts on the air flow to create vortices. In the retracted position, the vane is closely aligned with the free stream velocity.

A deployable vortex generator attached to a lifting surface includes a vane moveable relative to the lifting surface. The vane moves from a deployed position to a retracted position in response to a change in ambient conditions. In the deployed position, the vane acts on the air flow to create vortices. In the retracted position, the vane is closely aligned with the free stream velocity.