An actuator is disclosed including an actuator body mounted for movement over a range of motion, the range of motion including a first part and a second part, the first part being the range of motion extending between an end position and the second part. The actuator includes a motor coupled to the actuator body to move the actuator body in the first direction and a controller configured to control the supply of current to drive the motor. The mechanical resistance to movement of the actuator body in the first direction is higher in the first part of the range of motion than in the second part of the range of motion. The controller is configured such that any additional current supplied to the motor when the actuator body is in the first part of the range of motion is limited thereby causing the speed of the actuator body to reduce as the actuator body approaches the end position.

A connecting mechanism between an aircraft door and a structure of the aircraft, a related aircraft and method are provided. The connecting mechanism includes an arm intended to be hinged on to the structure, a rotating connection between the door and the arm. The rotating connection may be disengaged from a connection configuration for connecting the door with the arm in an open position of the door, into an uncoupling configuration for uncoupling of the door from the arm, in a closed door position of the door.

Disclosed is a modular, palletized system for a deployable sensor that provides for easy deployment with minimal interconnection to the vehicle carrying such system, and with no requirement for modification to the vehicle carrying such system. A pallet having a standardized construction for fitment onto a pallet-carrying portion of a vehicle carries a moveable carriage. The carriage in turn carries an arm and sensor head which may be moved through an opening in the vehicle (such as through the door of an airborne aircraft) and pivoted to deploy the sensor when intended for use, and to retract the sensor when such use is completed. As the system is specifically sized for fitment on a standard pallet profile, it may be installed on the pallet-carrying portion of such vehicle without need for retrofitting of the vehicle's body.

An aircraft includes first and second zones, and a sealing system, interposed between a doorframe and a door providing access to the second zone, including: a peripheral seal secured to the door, a stop secured to the doorframe, and including a body in the form of at least one plate which extends around the perimeter of the doorframe, parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position, a peripheral groove positioned on the stop in such a way that the peripheral seal closes off the peripheral groove around the perimeter of the opening when the door is in the closed position, and at least one passage configured to cause the peripheral groove and the first zone to communicate.

An aircraft door drainage system includes a precipitation receptacle disposed longitudinally along an upper edge of an aircraft door opening. The receptacle is mounted along the upper edge of the door opening by a plurality of brackets that connect the receptacle to an inside ceiling panel of the aircraft. The receptacle protrudes outward from the upper edge of the door opening into a path followed by precipitation falling off of an outer peripheral surface of a fuselage of the aircraft from locations above, forward, and aft of the door opening into the door opening when the aircraft door is in an open position. The receptacle remains clear of the aircraft door when the aircraft door is closed into the door opening. Drain hoses are connected at first and second ends of the receptacle to direct precipitation collected in the receptacle to an outside of the aircraft.

A public transportation system combines a unique combination of components that includes interoperable electric-powered vehicles, facilities, hardware and software having specifications, standards, processes, capabilities, nomenclature, and concepts of operations that together include a concerted, comprehensive, multi-modal, future system for moving people and goods that is herein named Quiet Urban Air Delivery (QUAD) and in which uniquely-capable, ultra-quiet, one to six-seat, electrically-powered, autonomous aircraft (SkyQarts) fly sub-193 kilometer trips on precise trajectories with negligible control latency and perform extremely short take-offs and landings (ESTOL) with curved traffic patterns at a highly-distributed network of very small, airports (“SkyNests”) that themselves have standardized compatible facilities that interoperate with SkyQarts as well as with versatile, autonomous electric-powered payload carts (EPCs) and robotic delivery carts (RDCs) to provide safe, fast, on-demand, community-acceptable, environmentally friendly, high-capacity, affordable door-to-door delivery of both passengers and cargo across urban, suburban and rural settings across the globe.

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 system is described and includes a first track assembly for connecting a top surface of a pallet supporting payload to an upper interior surface of a payload bay of an aircraft; a second track assembly for connecting a side surface of the pallet to a side interior surface of the payload bay; and a pallet actuator system for selectively moving the pallet along the first and second track assemblies between a first position in which the pallet is fully extended from the payload bay and a second position in which the pallet is fully retracted into the payload bay.

A system is described and includes a first track assembly for connecting a top surface of a pallet supporting payload to an upper interior surface of a payload bay of an aircraft; a second track assembly for connecting a side surface of the pallet to a side interior surface of the payload bay; and a pallet actuator system for selectively moving the pallet along the first and second track assemblies between a first position in which the pallet is fully extended from the payload bay and a second position in which the pallet is fully retracted into the payload bay.

A hinge is coupled to a first component and a second component. The hinge supports the second component for movement relative to the first component between a closed position covering an opening through the first component and an opened position displaced from the opening.