A dynamic runway illumination system, including a light source having an addressable light beam direction, and a control unit configured to receive aircraft attitude information and the orientation of the runway selected for takeoff or landing, obtain horizontal and vertical axes, the horizontal axis being collinear with the takeoff or landing longitudinal direction, determine the actual and the reference aircraft trajectories, obtain the actual and the reference vertical approach angles, and the actual horizontal approach angle, and actuate onto the light source to perform an angular movement in the light beam direction of an absolute value of the actual vertical approach angle minus the absolute value of the reference vertical approach angle about the vertical axis, and an angular movement of an absolute value of the actual horizontal approach angle about the horizontal axis, to vertically and horizontally align the beam of the light source towards the runway direction.

The invention relates to a drone accessory and a method of controlling the drone accessory. The drone accessory comprising at least one camera being configured to capturing images of a directional-adjustable camera of a drone and transmitting the images to the processor, determining a viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, and directing a directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

The invention relates to a drone accessory and a method of controlling the drone accessory. The drone accessory comprising at least one camera being configured to capturing images of a directional-adjustable camera of a drone and transmitting the images to the processor, determining a viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, and directing a directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging object(s) nearby an aircraft using triangulation. A light projector mounted at a projector location on the aircraft projects pulses of polarized light onto the scene external to the aircraft. The projected pulses of polarized light are polarized in a first polarization state. A camera mounted at a camera location on the aircraft has a shutter synchronized to the projector output pulse and receives a portion of the projected pulses of polarized light reflected by the object(s) in the scene and polarized at a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. Location(s) and/or range(s) of the object(s) is calculated, based on the projector location, the camera location, and pixel location(s) upon which the portion of light is imaged.

An autonomous search light system for being mounted to an aircraft includes a search light for emitting an adjustable light output; an RF receiver with at least two RF antennas for receiving RF signals emitted by an RF transmitter; and a controller for determining a position of the RF transmitter in relation to the search light from the received RF signals and for controlling the search light based on the determined position of the RF transmitter.

Methods and systems are provided for autonomously operating a retractable lighting arrangement. One method involves obtaining a current speed of the vehicle when the lighting arrangement is in an extended state, and when the current speed is greater than a threshold when the lighting arrangement is in the extended state, verifying one or more illumination elements associated with the lighting arrangement are in a deactivated state and thereafter automatically signaling an actuation arrangement associated with the lighting arrangement to transition the lighting arrangement from the extended state to a retracted state.

An aircraft collision avoidance system includes a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, a plurality of sensor processors, a plurality of transmitters, and a display device. Each 3D LIDAR sensor is enclosed in an aircraft exterior lighting fixture that is configured for mounting on an aircraft, and is configured to sense objects within its field-of-view and supply sensor data. Each sensor processor receives sensor data and processes the received sensor data to determine locations and physical dimensions of the sensed objects. Each transmitter receives the object data, and is configured to transmit the received object data. The display device receives and fuses the object data transmitted from each transmitter, fuses the object data and selectively generates one or more potential obstacle alerts based on the fused object data.

An aircraft collision avoidance system includes a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, a plurality of sensor processors, a plurality of transmitters, and a display device. Each 3D LIDAR sensor is enclosed in an aircraft exterior lighting fixture that is configured for mounting on an aircraft, and is configured to sense objects within its field-of-view and supply sensor data. Each sensor processor receives sensor data and processes the received sensor data to determine locations and physical dimensions of the sensed objects. Each transmitter receives the object data, and is configured to transmit the received object data. The display device receives and fuses the object data transmitted from each transmitter, fuses the object data and selectively generates one or more potential obstacle alerts based on the fused object data.

A laser alignment system for adjusting a mounting bracket of a lamp is disclosed. The laser alignment system includes an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features and a plurality of index features. The one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam and the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a surface. The laser alignment system also includes a laser alignment tool including a base, a mount, and a laser device. The mount holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within the mounting bracket for the lamp and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.

A laser alignment system for adjusting a mounting bracket of a lamp is disclosed. The laser alignment system includes an alignment bracket including a body portion defining one or more target features and a plurality of index features. The one or more target features include a target that is configured to align with a laser beam and the plurality of index features that are configured to position the alignment bracket along a surface. The laser alignment system also includes a laser alignment tool including a base, a mount, and a laser device. The mount holds the laser device in place and the laser device is configured to emit the laser beam, and the base of the laser alignment tool is shaped to fit within the mounting bracket for the lamp and the laser device directs the laser beam towards a corresponding one of target features of the alignment bracket.