A system for assisting in guiding of an aircraft maneuvered by an aircraft tractor on the ground, the system including at least one projection device including a laser generating a laser beam fixed to an anchor point of the fuselage of the aircraft. A fixing mechanism is configured to fix the projection device to an anchor point of the fuselage, the laser beam from each laser projector then plotting a light trace on the ground to be used to assist in guiding the aircraft on the ground. A camera can film the light trace on the ground. A remote display device includes a screen, the display device being positioned on the aircraft tractor for the screen to be visible to an operator of the aircraft tractor, each projection device being connected to the display device, the display device being configured to display the image from each projection device camera.

Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

A remote towing interface is used to couple a towbar to an aircraft having a fuselage and a steerable landing gear. The remote towing interface includes a towbar coupler mounted to the aircraft and configured to releasably couple a towbar to the aircraft. The remote towing interface further includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to sense a position of the towbar relative to the aircraft when the towbar is coupled to the towbar coupler, and the controller controls the steerable landing gear according to the sensed position of the towbar relative to the aircraft.

A method is disclosed here. The method includes receiving an input from an aircraft, determining a towing status of the aircraft based on the input, and sending a message to a transmitter to transmit the towing status of the aircraft. Also disclosed herein is a system including an aircraft including a nose landing gear, a first controller, and a transmitter, wherein the first controller is configured to determine a towing status of the aircraft based on a number of sensor signals received from the aircraft, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the towing status and a tow truck configured to tow the aircraft, the tow truck including a second controller and a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the towing status from the transmitter, and the second controller is configured to provide an indication of the towing status of the aircraft.

A system for monitoring steering of an aircraft landing gear wheel includes: a controller; a warning device for emitting warning signals for a tractor operator maneuvering the aircraft on the ground; and at least one angular sensor. The controller compares effective steering angle information, supplied by the angular sensor(s), with angles ?SD, ?MD, ?SG and ?MG, where ?MD and ?MG are limits of a predefined steering angle range within which the landing gear wheel steering is to remain confined, and where ?SD and ?SG are intermediate angles within the range. The controller commands emission of a warning signal when the comparison indicates that the steering of the landing gear wheel is between angles ?SD and ?MD or between angles ?SG and ?MG; and modulates the warning signal depending on the effective position of the steering between the angles ?SD and ?MD or between the angles ?SG and ?MG.

A dolly with an inflatable airbag stack for placement beneath a portion of a disabled aircraft enables the aircraft to be raised and the subsequent transport of the aircraft without requiring cranes or heavy equipment. An adjustable height rigid support structure may be received by the dolly, the rigid support structure having an aircraft support platform that may be positioned on the top of the inflatable airbag stack such that as the airbag stack is raised, the aircraft support platform engages the disabled aircraft. The airbag stack may be deflated such that the weight of the aircraft is carried by the rigid support structure. The dolly's bed or another dolly in a recovery system may also receive a flat tire of a disabled aircraft. The dolly may receive a support platform extending between a pair of beams, the airbag stack seating on the platform.

A dolly with an inflatable airbag stack for placement beneath a portion of a disabled aircraft enables the aircraft to be raised and the subsequent transport of the aircraft without requiring cranes or heavy equipment. An adjustable height rigid support structure may be received by the dolly, the rigid support structure having an aircraft support platform that may be positioned on the top of the inflatable airbag stack such that as the airbag stack is raised, the aircraft support platform engages the disabled aircraft. The airbag stack may be deflated such that the weight of the aircraft is carried by the rigid support structure. The dolly's bed or another dolly in a recovery system may also receive a flat tire of a disabled aircraft. The dolly may receive a support platform extending between a pair of beams, the airbag stack seating on the platform.

A system for monitoring steering of an aircraft landing gear wheel includes: a controller; a warning device for emitting warning signals for a tractor operator maneuvering the aircraft on the ground; and at least one angular sensor. The controller compares effective steering angle information, supplied by the angular sensor(s), with angles ?SD, ?MD, ?SG and ?MG, where ?MD and ?MG are limits of a predefined steering angle range within which the landing gear wheel steering is to remain confined, and where ?SD and ?SG are intermediate angles within the range. The controller commands emission of a warning signal when the comparison indicates that the steering of the landing gear wheel is between angles ?SD and ?MD or between angles ?SG and ?MG; and modulates the warning signal depending on the effective position of the steering between the angles ?SD and ?MD or between the angles ?SG and ?MG.

The present invention relates to an autonomous, multi-use, subterranean aircraft pull-through system that connects with an aircraft arriving at the ramp pick-up point and transits through the terminal building, in a unidirectional movement, where the aircraft is serviced, then disconnects from the aircraft at the ramp release point. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system receives multiple aircraft in a row, with rows adjacent to each other, where aircraft are nose to tail, and side by side, occupying the smallest footprint in the industry. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system is remotely controlled and operates autonomously in a subterranean manner to assist in servicing the aircraft. The system helps to speed up the aircraft handling component of airside operations, improve safety, reduce emissions, and the cost factors borne by both airports and airlines. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system design is versatile in handling all code A-F (ICAO) aircraft.

A mobile vehicle for supplying pressurized air to an aircraft, the vehicle being configured to tow the aircraft during its movements on the ground and including a pneumatic supply system configured to supply pressurized air to the aircraft, the pneumatic supply system being manually connectable to a high-pressure connector of the aircraft and remotely disconnectable from the connector.