An electrical power distribution network of an electric power system of an aircraft is operated such that it sequentially adopts a plurality of different partial load sharing modes in a time variable manner, which provide for partial load sharing across electrical power sources (A, B, C, D) with respect to associated electrical loads (AA, BB, CC, DD), by sequentially switching between a plurality of different partial load sharing configurations of the electrical power distribution network, each partial load sharing configuration being associated to a particular one of the partial load sharing modes.

An airfoil of an aircraft with an ice protection system, the airfoil having a leading edge, the ice protection system comprising a first applying mechanism for applying an ice protection fluid along at least a portion of the leading edge of the airfoil, and an ice protection fluid recovering mechanism for recovering the ice protection fluid applied by the first applying mechanism, the ice protection fluid recovering mechanism being arranged downstream of the leading edge of the airfoil. The ice protection system further comprises a second applying mechanism for applying the ice protection fluid recovered by the ice protection fluid recovering mechanism on at least one area of the airfoil arranged downstream of the leading edge of the airfoil. An aircraft may comprise at least one airfoil provided with the ice protection system. A method may be used to protect the airfoil of an aircraft from ice accumulation.

An aircraft including a fuselage extending along a longitudinal axis; forward swept wings extending from the fuselage; at least one horizontal stabilizer secured to the fuselage; and a distributed electrical propulsion system operatively connected to an electrical power source. The distributed electrical propulsion system have an air intake located rearward of an intersection between the forward swept wings and the fuselage open to a boundary layer region on a surface of the fuselage.

An aircraft including a fuselage extending along a longitudinal axis; forward swept wings extending from the fuselage; at least one horizontal stabilizer secured to the fuselage; and a distributed electrical propulsion system operatively connected to an electrical power source. The distributed electrical propulsion system have an air intake located rearward of an intersection between the forward swept wings and the fuselage open to a boundary layer region on a surface of the fuselage.

A long-distance drone having a main body, a left hind wing, a right hind wing, a left forewing, and a right forewing. There is a left linear support connecting the left forewing to the left hind wing, and a right linear support connecting the right forewing to the right hind wing. A plurality of propellers are disposed on the left and the right linear supports.

A long-distance drone having a main body, a left hind wing, a right hind wing, a left forewing, and a right forewing. There is a left linear support connecting the left forewing to the left hind wing, and a right linear support connecting the right forewing to the right hind wing. A plurality of propellers are disposed on the left and the right linear supports.

An aircraft that includes a canard having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a forward swept and fixed wing having a trailing edge, and a plurality of tilt rotor submodules. The plurality of tilt rotor submodules includes a first tilt rotor submodule where the leading edge of the canard contacts the first tilt rotor submodule at position that is within a range of 40% to 60%, inclusive, of the length of the first tilt rotor submodule where 0% corresponds to a forward tip of the first tilt rotor submodule and 100% corresponds to an aft tip of the first tilt rotor submodule. The trailing edge of the canard contacts the first tilt rotor submodule at position that is within a range of 55% to 80%, inclusive, of the length of the first tilt rotor submodule. The plurality of tilt rotor submodules also includes a second tilt rotor submodule that is coupled to the trailing edge of the forward swept and fixed wing.

An aircraft that includes a canard having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a forward swept and fixed wing having a trailing edge, and a plurality of tilt rotor submodules. The plurality of tilt rotor submodules includes a first tilt rotor submodule where the leading edge of the canard contacts the first tilt rotor submodule at position that is within a range of 40% to 60%, inclusive, of the length of the first tilt rotor submodule where 0% corresponds to a forward tip of the first tilt rotor submodule and 100% corresponds to an aft tip of the first tilt rotor submodule. The trailing edge of the canard contacts the first tilt rotor submodule at position that is within a range of 55% to 80%, inclusive, of the length of the first tilt rotor submodule. The plurality of tilt rotor submodules also includes a second tilt rotor submodule that is coupled to the trailing edge of the forward swept and fixed wing.

A plurality of port-side tilt rotors and a plurality of starboard-side tilt rotors are configured to rotate between a first rotor position and a second rotor position. The port-side tilt rotors are coupled to a trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the port side and the starboard-side tilt rotors are coupled to the trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the starboard side. The aircraft also includes a fuselage. When the port-side and starboard-side tilt rotors are in the first rotor position, at least some of a lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from thrust output by the rotors at least some of the time. When in the second rotor position, at least some of the lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from aerodynamic lift on the fixed and forward-swept wing at least some of the time.

A plurality of port-side tilt rotors and a plurality of starboard-side tilt rotors are configured to rotate between a first rotor position and a second rotor position. The port-side tilt rotors are coupled to a trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the port side and the starboard-side tilt rotors are coupled to the trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the starboard side. The aircraft also includes a fuselage. When the port-side and starboard-side tilt rotors are in the first rotor position, at least some of a lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from thrust output by the rotors at least some of the time. When in the second rotor position, at least some of the lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from aerodynamic lift on the fixed and forward-swept wing at least some of the time.