Apparatus for supporting a nacelle of an aircraft engine is provided by the present disclosure. In one form, the apparatus includes a frame, a supporting structure extending from the frame, and a structure for attaching a nacelle, which is rotatably mounted on the supporting structure and can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis.

Apparatus for supporting a nacelle of an aircraft engine is provided by the present disclosure. In one form, the apparatus includes a frame, a supporting structure extending from the frame, and a structure for attaching a nacelle, which is rotatably mounted on the supporting structure and can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis.

A method and a protective removable cover are presented. The protective removable cover comprises a number of sheets of fabric joined together in a toroidal shape such that an interior of the toroidal shape and an exterior of the toroidal shape have a same surface. The number of sheets of fabric joined together in the toroidal shape is configured to roll over a monument such that the monument is substantially covered.

A system for following the handling of an aircraft engine includes a cradle which supports the engine and stands which are spread out under the cradle. Each stand includes a seating configured to secure the stand on the ground, an actuating cylinder secured to the seating and having a translationally mobile piston, a fixing structure secured to the exterior end of the piston and configured to be fixed to the cradle, and a fluid source which causes the piston to be raised or lowered. Each stand also includes a detector designed to detect an inappropriate movement of the piston and a blocking which blocks the piston from moving when the detector detects an inappropriate movement of the piston. Thus, when an inappropriate movement of the piston is detected, the blocking blocks the movement of the cradle and prevents it from tipping.

A system for following the handling of an aircraft engine includes a cradle which supports the engine and stands which are spread out under the cradle. Each stand includes a seating configured to secure the stand on the ground, an actuating cylinder secured to the seating and having a translationally mobile piston, a fixing structure secured to the exterior end of the piston and configured to be fixed to the cradle, and a fluid source which causes the piston to be raised or lowered. Each stand also includes a detector designed to detect an inappropriate movement of the piston and a blocking which blocks the piston from moving when the detector detects an inappropriate movement of the piston. Thus, when an inappropriate movement of the piston is detected, the blocking blocks the movement of the cradle and prevents it from tipping.

A method of protecting a monument during manufacturing of a vehicle. The method includes attaching a plurality of brackets to the monument prior to installation in the vehicle, each of the plurality of brackets having corresponding fasteners facing outwardly relative to the monument. The method also includes connecting a blanket to the corresponding fasteners. The method also includes installing the monument in the vehicle, disconnecting the blanket, and removing the plurality of brackets from the monument.

A method of protecting a monument during manufacturing of a vehicle. The method includes attaching a plurality of brackets to the monument prior to installation in the vehicle, each of the plurality of brackets having corresponding fasteners facing outwardly relative to the monument. The method also includes connecting a blanket to the corresponding fasteners. The method also includes installing the monument in the vehicle, disconnecting the blanket, and removing the plurality of brackets from the monument.

Systems and methods are provided for placing preforms onto a mandrel. One illustrative method includes moving a mandrel in a process direction relative to a station(s) that comprises multiple pick-and-place machine(s), identifying a tray that stores a preform comprising an unhardened fiber-reinforced material, placing the strong back at the preform via at least one of the pick-and-place machine(s), applying a vacuum to hold the preform in contact with the strong back, transporting the preform to a mandrel via the pick-and-place machine(s), and placing the preform onto the mandrel.

A nacelle may include a thrust reverser. The inner fixed structure may include an IFS support and movable portions which hinge open at hinges between the IFS support and the movable portions. The IFS support may be coupled to the engine core. Standard ground support equipment may be coupled to attachment features on the IFS support to attach or remove an engine from an aircraft wing with the IFS attached to the engine.

A nacelle may include a thrust reverser. The inner fixed structure may include an IFS support and movable portions which hinge open at hinges between the IFS support and the movable portions. The IFS support may be coupled to the engine core. Standard ground support equipment may be coupled to attachment features on the IFS support to attach or remove an engine from an aircraft wing with the IFS attached to the engine.