Aviation method comprising performing a single-pilot flight of inter-continental duration T>tp=predetermined single-pilot maximal single pilot flight duration; including using pilot-in-command logic empower a single airborne pilot to pilot via an airborne man-machine interface (MMI), only for a time window W<tp, where W includes at least an initial climbing phase of duration t1 and a final descent phase of duration t3; and using pilot-in-command logic to pilot the aircraft during an intermediate cruising phase occurring between the initial climbing and final descent phases, without recourse to the airborne pilot except during an emergency, thereby to accomplish a single-pilot inter-continental flight of duration T>tp, while utilizing the human airborne pilot only for a time period W<tp.

Aviation method comprising performing a single-pilot flight of inter-continental duration T>tp=predetermined single-pilot maximal single pilot flight duration; including using pilot-in-command logic empower a single airborne pilot to pilot via an airborne man-machine interface (MMI), only for a time window W<tp, where W includes at least an initial climbing phase of duration t1 and a final descent phase of duration t3; and using pilot-in-command logic to pilot the aircraft during an intermediate cruising phase occurring between the initial climbing and final descent phases, without recourse to the airborne pilot except during an emergency, thereby to accomplish a single-pilot inter-continental flight of duration T>tp, while utilizing the human airborne pilot only for a time period W<tp.

A method for piloting a pre-existing aircraft comprising the following steps: integrating an alternative piloting system (1) into the pre-existing aircraft; connecting the aircraft (200) and a ground station in which a ground pilot (207) is positioned; when the aircraft is in a normal state, having the aircraft piloted by a nominal crew; using detection means to detect the occurrence of an emergency situation and, when the occurrence of the emergency is detected: making the ground pilot (207) operational, so that the ground pilot can produce an aircraft ground piloting set-point; transmitting the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft; using the alternative piloting system to acquire and transmit the ground piloting setpoint to the aircraft flight control system.

A configuration system (80) arranged to configure an aircraft in a single-pilot mode and a two-pilot mode, comprising: acquisition means (84) and authentication means (83) arranged to acquire and authenticate a configuration order that defines the selected mode and controls the configuration system (80) to configure the aircraft in the selected mode; first activation means (85) arranged to activate equipment dedicated to piloting by a single-pilot on board when the aircraft is configured in single-pilot mode, and to deactivate dedicated equipment when the aircraft is configured in two-pilot mode; verification means (87) arranged to, when the aircraft is configured in the single-pilot mode, verify that single-pilot flight conditions are met and inform the sole pilot on board and a ground station of the results of these checks.

A piloting device arranged to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems comprising both a flight control system and an autopilot system is distinct from and autonomous relative to the original systems and includes a positioning unit and a control unit. The positioning unit is arranged to produce positioning data for the pre-existing aircraft. The control unit is arranged to perform a geofencing function from the positioning data produced by the positioning unit and to produce an alternative piloting setpoint for the pre-existing aircraft. The alternative piloting setpoint is adapted to supplement both a manual piloting setpoint produced by a pilot of the pre-existing aircraft via the flight control system and also an autopilot setpoint produced by the autopilot system.

A piloting device arranged to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems comprising both a flight control system and an autopilot system is distinct from and autonomous relative to the original systems and includes a positioning unit and a control unit. The positioning unit is arranged to produce positioning data for the pre-existing aircraft. The control unit is arranged to perform a geofencing function from the positioning data produced by the positioning unit and to produce an alternative piloting setpoint for the pre-existing aircraft. The alternative piloting setpoint is adapted to supplement both a manual piloting setpoint produced by a pilot of the pre-existing aircraft via the flight control system and also an autopilot setpoint produced by the autopilot system.

An acquisition and analysis device to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems comprising pilot controls and also an autopilot system includes acquisition means arranged to acquire parameters produced by the original systems, and analysis means arranged on the basis of the parameters, to evaluate whether the pre-existing aircraft is normal or abnormal, and to evaluate the current stage of flight of the pre-existing aircraft, on the basis of the state of the pre-existing aircraft and of the current stage of flight of the pre-existing aircraft, to define a piloting setpoint selected from piloting setpoints comprising at least a manual piloting setpoint produced by a pilot actuating pilot controls, an autopilot setpoint produced by the autopilot system, and an alternative piloting setpoint, and to cause the selected piloting setpoint to be transmitted to the original systems of the pre-existing aircraft.

An acquisition and analysis device to be integrated in a pre-existing aircraft that includes original systems comprising pilot controls and also an autopilot system includes acquisition means arranged to acquire parameters produced by the original systems, and analysis means arranged on the basis of the parameters, to evaluate whether the pre-existing aircraft is normal or abnormal, and to evaluate the current stage of flight of the pre-existing aircraft, on the basis of the state of the pre-existing aircraft and of the current stage of flight of the pre-existing aircraft, to define a piloting setpoint selected from piloting setpoints comprising at least a manual piloting setpoint produced by a pilot actuating pilot controls, an autopilot setpoint produced by the autopilot system, and an alternative piloting setpoint, and to cause the selected piloting setpoint to be transmitted to the original systems of the pre-existing aircraft.

A flight control actuator for actuating an aircraft flight control system is provided. The flight control actuator comprises a gearbox, an output shaft attached to the gearbox and an output lever provided on the output shaft. The output lever is declutchable from the output shaft. The output lever includes an inner diameter through which the output shaft passes and at least one indentation in said inner diameter. The output shaft includes a hollow cylindrical member with at least one hole provided at the axial position of the at least one indentation of the output lever.

A VTOL inceptor arrangement is handled by a single pilot and consists of or comprises a first inceptor and a second inceptor. The first inceptor is capable of controlling at least one axis of movement and the second inceptor is capable of controlling at least three axes of movement. The first inceptor is configured to be operated by a first hand of the pilot, and the second inceptor is configured to be operated by a second hand of the pilot different from the first hand. These two hand-operated inceptors enable use of reliable operation based on stick motion (i.e., the pilot's respective hands each grasp a respective inceptor) instead of relying on movement of switches, knobs or the like—which may not allow precision control under vibration or turbulent environments or conditions.