A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft has a first drivable configuration in which the pilot seat is positioned between the wings and facing the direction of forward travel. The VTOL may be driven in the first configuration as a normal automobile. In the first configuration the wings are aligned with the direction of forward travel and their surfaces are vertically oriented. In the first configuration, the VTOL may also attain altitude and be maneuvered using thrust from propulsion sources. In a second configuration, the pilot seat is rotated 90 degrees from the direction of forward travel to a direction of forward flight. Forward flight is achieved using thrust to rotate the wings from the vertical orientation to a lift-providing orientation. In concert with the rotation of the wings, the pi lot seat is counter-rotated to maintain the seat facing the direction of forward flight.

An armrest is disclosed that includes an armrest frame rotationally coupled to a seat frame, an armrest subframe pivotably couple to a second end of the armrest frame, and an arm pad laterally aligned and translatably coupled to the armrest subframe. The armrest further includes a tilting mechanism configured to pivot the armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame. The armrest further includes a translation mechanism configured to translate the arm pad relative to the armrest subframe. The armrest further includes a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the armrest relative to the seat frame. At least one of the tilting mechanism, the translation mechanism, or the rotation mechanism includes a spring-loaded linkage.

An armrest is disclosed that includes an armrest subframe configured to couple to an arm of the seat that includes a slot within a face of the armrest subframe configured to receive a stop pin. The armrest further includes an arm pad translatably coupled to the armrest subframe and includes a plurality of grooves formed on one edge of the armrest subframe. The arm pad further includes the stop pin that restricts the translation of the arm pad and a spring anchor. The armrest further includes a lever rotationally coupled to the armrest that includes a locking pin configured to engage one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves, and an actuating end, wherein a movement of the actuating end at least one of engages or disengages the locking pin from the one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves. The armrest further includes a biasing spring.

A seat pan adjustment system for an ejection seat may comprise a guide bracket defining a channel and a seat pan mount configured to translate relative to the guide bracket. A support bracket may extend from a surface of the seat pan mount. A rod may be located through a rod opening defined by the support bracket. The rod may be located in the channel. A biasing member may be coupled to the rod and configured to force the rod away from the surface of the seat pan mount.

A leg restraint system for an ejection seat may comprise a leg restraint and a reel assembly coupled to the leg restraint. The reel assembly may include a drum configured to rotate about an axis. The leg restraint may be configured to wind around the drum in response to rotation of the drum about the axis.

The present disclosure provides an arm catcher system for an aircraft ejection seat. The arm catcher system may comprise a first support member configured to rotate in a first direction to be deployed in response to an ejection event and a first persistent locking mechanism coupled to the first support member, wherein the first persistent locking mechanism is configured to allow the support member to rotate in the first direction and configured to prevent the first support member from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A seating system for a vehicle, comprises first and second seat portions, each providing upper load-bearing surfaces; the first seat portion including a mounting structure for connection to a vehicle body; and the second seat portion including a mounting structure allowing movement with respect to the first seat portion between first and second positions; wherein in the first position, the second seat portion overlies at least part of the upper load-bearing surface of the first set portion; and in the second position, the first and second seat portions are in a substantially side-by-side arrangement such that the respective upper load-bearing surfaces define a seat support surface.

The present invention achieves technical advantages as an aircraft having an augmented reality flight control system integrated with and operable from the pilot seat and an associated pilot headgear unit, wherein the flight control system is supplemented by flight-assisting artificial intelligence and geo-location systems. The present invention includes an augmented reality flight control system incorporating real-world objects with virtual elements to provide relevant data to a pilot during aircraft flight. A translucent substrate is disposed in the pilot's field of view such that the pilot can see therethrough, and observe virtual elements displayed on the substrate. The system includes a headgear that is worn by the pilot. A flight assistance module is configured to receive data related to the aircraft and provide predictive assistance to the pilot during flight based on the received data based in part on a pilot profile having preferences related to the pilot.

A system for both onboard piloting and remote piloting an aircraft having thereon at least one onboard pilot includes an aircraft having an onboard flight control system, onboard flight control devices, and onboard condition indicators mounted proximal the pilot seat. A remote flight control system, in electronic communication with the onboard flight control system, includes remote flight control devices and remote condition indicators. At least in a remote piloting mode, the onboard flight control system transmits flight and aircraft condition-related signals to the remote flight control system, receives flight control signals from the remote flight control system, and actuates, according to the flight control signals received from the remote flight control system, onboard actuators thereby remote piloting the aircraft. In the remote piloting mode, the aircraft may be cooperatively piloted by a remote pilot and at least one alert onboard pilot as another onboard pilot rests.

An aircraft that includes a body that defines a cabin interior, front and back rows of seats positioned in the passenger zone, a forward door that is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, and an aft door that is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The cabin interior includes a pilot zone, a passenger zone positioned aft of the pilot zone, and a cargo zone positioned aft of the passenger zone. The pilot zone and the front row of seats are accessible and the back row and cargo zone are inaccessible from an exterior of the body when the aft door is in the closed position and the forward door is in the open position. The back row and cargo zone are accessible and the pilot zone and the front row of seats are inaccessible from the exterior of the body when the aft door is in the open position and the forward door is in the closed position.