Systems and methods for loading a cargo aircraft are described. The system includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft that extends at an angle relative to an interior bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay, through a kinked portion and an aft portion of the interior cargo bay. Payload-receiving fixtures are described that can be used in conjunction with the rail system, allowing for large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to be transported by aircraft. Methods of loading a cargo aircraft can include advancing the large payload into the interior cargo bay of the aircraft such that at least one of the payload-receiving fixtures rises relative to a plane defined by the interior bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. Various systems, methods, components, and related tooling are also provided.

In order to allow an aircraft fuselage structure to provide optimum resistance to pressurization loads in a fuselage region with a double curvature, the fuselage structure includes a circumferential frame oriented so that the web of the circumferential frame has an orientation close to the local normal to the skin of the fuselage.

An assembly for an aircraft having a propeller, including a wheel well for a retracted landing gear, first and second cooling ducts; and an engine assembly having an engine shaft configured for driving engagement with the propeller, the engine assembly including a coolant circulation system for circulation of a liquid coolant, a lubricant circulation system for circulation of a lubricant, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with at least the coolant circulation system, and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with at least the lubricant circulation system. Each heat exchanger is positioned and configured for receiving a cooling airflow from the respective cooling duct. The wheel well is located between the heat exchangers. A method of cooling a lubricant and a liquid coolant of an engine assembly is also discussed.

A system that optimizes the shape or configuration of an aircraft to minimize ground overpressure shock strength while in supersonic flight over speed restricted terrain and to morph to an optimized configuration for drag minimization while over unrestricted terrain.

An electrical and electronic bay for an aircraft includes a central area forming a free space, a peripheral side area provided for the arrangement of supporting structures and being placed around said central area, and a lower area placed below the central and peripheral side areas and in which the access opening is placed in said central area. Such an electrical and electronic bay is used in particular to optimize the areas dedicated to the incorporation of electronic equipment in aircraft.

A sealed bottom in the frame of a cockpit with centered pilot is disclosed for increasing the bulk inside the radome and making it possible to improve the optimization of the volumes. The sealed bottom includes a semi-cylindrical central part having four edges that are parallel in pairs, two curved edges, and two straight edges and a planar peripheral part extending at least partially around the central part. The peripheral part (22) is located in the plane of the straight edges of the central part and linked thereto. This configuration will allow to free up space to increase the number of passengers or reduce the size of the aircraft.

A nosecone of an aircraft sensor probe may include a first portion defining a tip of the nosecone that is formed from a first material. The nosecone further includes a second portion aft of the first portion and formed from a second material. The second portion may define an internal volume. The second material may have a greater porosity than the first material. The nosecone may further include a third portion aft of the second portion. The third portion may be configured to arrange a microphone assembly relative to the internal volume. The nosecone may a component or subassembly or a sensor probe for the aircraft. For example, the sensor probe may include the nosecone and the microphone assembly. The nosecone may be configured to block the audio signals at the tip and reduce turbulent noise of the audio signals associated with non-parallel local flow angles of the airflow.

A rear pressure bulkhead for aircraft with a semi-recessed integrated engine or, for aircraft of which the cross section of the tail cone in the region of the pressure bulkhead is of the ovoid type with inwardly curving side walls is provided. The cross section of the tail cone of such aircraft is atypical and subjected to loadings that make the application of a known shape of pressure bulkhead unsuitable. The integral membrane of which the geometric shape includes the combination of two substantially spherical half-caps and of a portion of a cylinder of substantially circular cross section joining the two half-caps, the free edges of the cylinder portion being slightly inwardly curved. Such a geometry allows the pressure bulkhead to withstand the loadings present in this zone.

Systems and methods for loading a cargo aircraft are described. The system includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft that extends at an angle relative to an interior bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay, through a kinked portion and an aft portion of the interior cargo bay. Payload-receiving fixtures are described that can be used in conjunction with the rail system, allowing for large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to be transported by aircraft. Methods of loading a cargo aircraft can include advancing the large payload into the interior cargo bay of the aircraft such that at least one of the payload-receiving fixtures rises relative to a plane defined by the interior bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. Various systems, methods, components, and related tooling are also provided.

A heavy payload, autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.