A system and method for forming an aft fuselage section of an aircraft include a forward section having a stabilizer channel. The forward section includes an upper sill beam and a lower sill beam. One or more pivot fittings are securely fastened between the upper sill beam and the lower sill beam. The one or more pivot fittings are configured to pivotally couple to a horizontal stabilizer within the stabilizer channel.

A vertical stabilizer for an aircraft having a fixed portion for attachment to an aircraft fuselage and a moveable portion coupled to the fixed portion by a hinge. The moveable portion of the vertical stabilizer is able to rotate about the hinge. As gusts of wind act on the moveable portion of the vertical stabilizer, the moveable portion rotates about the hinge preventing any loading due to the gusts from being transferred onto the aircraft fuselage, thereby providing gust load alleviation.

A vertical stabilizer for an aircraft having a fixed portion for attachment to an aircraft fuselage and a moveable portion coupled to the fixed portion by a hinge. The moveable portion of the vertical stabilizer is able to rotate about the hinge. As gusts of wind act on the moveable portion of the vertical stabilizer, the moveable portion rotates about the hinge preventing any loading due to the gusts from being transferred onto the aircraft fuselage, thereby providing gust load alleviation.

An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement.

An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement.

An airfoil assembly for an aircraft includes an airfoil body having an internal frame and a skin covering the internal frame to define a cavity of the airfoil body. The airfoil body defines a span between a root and a tip and is deflectable in a deflection direction transverse to the span upon experiencing aerodynamic loading. At least one shaft is attached to the airfoil body and disposed within the cavity adjacent to an inner surface of the skin. The shaft extends along at least part of the span. A shaft measuring device is mounted to the airfoil body within the cavity. The shaft measuring device operates to measure a parameter of the shaft caused by deflection of the airfoil body such that the parameter is indicative of the aerodynamic loading on the airfoil body. A method for determining aerodynamic loading on an airfoil body is also disclosed.

An airfoil assembly for an aircraft includes an airfoil body having an internal frame and a skin covering the internal frame to define a cavity of the airfoil body. The airfoil body defines a span between a root and a tip and is deflectable in a deflection direction transverse to the span upon experiencing aerodynamic loading. At least one shaft is attached to the airfoil body and disposed within the cavity adjacent to an inner surface of the skin. The shaft extends along at least part of the span. A shaft measuring device is mounted to the airfoil body within the cavity. The shaft measuring device operates to measure a parameter of the shaft caused by deflection of the airfoil body such that the parameter is indicative of the aerodynamic loading on the airfoil body. A method for determining aerodynamic loading on an airfoil body is also disclosed.

An aircraft empennage includes a vertical tail plane, a rear fuselage section attached to the vertical tail plane and including a skin and internal reinforcing members, a horizontal tail plane comprising two lateral torsion boxes and a framework located between the two lateral torsion boxes comprising a front spar, a rear spar and two ribs extending between the front and the rear spar and each adjacent to a lateral torsion box. The framework encloses a portion of the vertical tail plane along its spanwise direction. The aircraft empennage includes an attachment assembly attaching the framework to the rear fuselage section, the attachment assembly crossing the skin and extends between the internal reinforcing members of the rear fuselage section and the framework.

An aircraft empennage includes a vertical tail plane, a rear fuselage section attached to the vertical tail plane and including a skin and internal reinforcing members, a horizontal tail plane comprising two lateral torsion boxes and a framework located between the two lateral torsion boxes comprising a front spar, a rear spar and two ribs extending between the front and the rear spar and each adjacent to a lateral torsion box. The framework encloses a portion of the vertical tail plane along its spanwise direction. The aircraft empennage includes an attachment assembly attaching the framework to the rear fuselage section, the attachment assembly crossing the skin and extends between the internal reinforcing members of the rear fuselage section and the framework.

An aircraft vertical stabilizer illumination light unit, configured for being arranged in a rotatable horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft and for being oriented towards a vertical stabilizer of the aircraft for illuminating the vertical stabilizer, includes an LED group, having a plurality of LEDs, and an optical system, having at least one optical element, the optical system being associated with the LED group for shaping an output light intensity distribution from the light emitted by the LED group.