A system for providing visual feedback in an aircraft having an actuatable component includes a controller providing automatic control of the actuatable component in an automatic mode and permitting manual control of the actuatable component in a manual mode. A handle assembly is in communication with the actuatable component to provide manual control of the actuatable component in the manual mode. The system also includes a light panel integrated with the handle assembly, in communication with said controller, and configured to selectively illuminate to inform a user of the mode of the actuatable component.

Systems and methods are described for changing the performance of an aircraft by customizing aircraft control system parameters based on a subjective personal preference of a pilot. The system includes a user interface for receiving the customized aircraft control system parameters from the pilot. A first aircraft control module may receive the customized aircraft control system parameters from the user interface, and also receive flight control commands from the pilot. The received flight control commands and the received customized aircraft control system parameters may be processed by the first aircraft control module to cause the aircraft to perform according to customized characteristics as determined by the pilot.

The invention relates to an aircraft flight control column device (1) comprising: a casing (2) for attaching to an aircraft structure; an output shaft (3) for connecting to a flight control column (56), the output shaft (3) being mounted such that it rotates in relation to the casing (2); a primary group (4) comprising a first torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a first torque to the output shaft (3); a secondary group (5) comprising a second torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a second torque to the output shaft (3); and a clutch for selectively connecting the primary group (4) and the secondary group (5) to the output shaft (3).

A helicopter autopilot system includes an inner loop for attitude hold for the flight of the helicopter including a given level of redundancy applied to the inner loop. An outer loop is configured for providing a navigation function with respect to the flight of the helicopter including a different level of redundancy than the inner loop. An actuator provides a braking force on a linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during a power failure. The actuator is electromechanical and receives electrical drive signals to provide automatic flight control of the helicopter without requiring a hydraulic assistance system in the helicopter. The autopilot can operate the helicopter in a failed mode of the hydraulic assistance system. A number of flight modes are described with associated sensor inputs including rate based and true attitude modes.

Some aspects relate to systems and methods for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control including a pilot control, a plurality of sensors configured to: sense control data associated with the pilot control, and transmit the control data, a first actuator communicative with the plurality of sensors configured to receive the control data, determine a first command datum as a function of the control data and a distributed control algorithm, and actuate a first control element according to the first command datum.

The aircraft control system 100 includes an inceptor with a set of primary inceptor axes and a set of secondary inceptor inputs. The inceptor can optionally include a hand rest, a thumb groove, a set of finger grooves, passive soft stops, and/or any other additional elements. The aircraft control system can optionally include a flight controller, aircraft sensors, effectors, and a haptic feedback mechanism. However, the aircraft control system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable components.

An oscillation system comprises an oscillation circuitry configured to cause at least one motor of a first set of motors to provide an oscillation of a user-input device in at least one axis of the user-input device. The oscillation may be triggered in response to an input from at least one sensor, the user-input device for operating an aircraft control system of an aircraft. The oscillation circuitry is configured to operate independently from a resistive force circuitry. The resistive force circuitry is to provide a resistive force to the user-input device, using the at least one motor of the first set of motors.

An aircraft control system includes: a motor with a rotating shaft; a pilot control input; a linear actuator connecting the pilot control input to the rotating shaft; a sensor identifying a position of the pilot control input; and a transmitter transmitting the pilot control input position to a controller, the controller adjusting an aircraft performance device based on the received pilot control input position.

A method of controlling a path of a rotorcraft. The method comprises a step of generating a first path setpoint and a step of automatically generating a first autopilot command from the first path setpoint. The method comprises a step of generating a first pilot setpoint during which a movement of a control member is transformed into a first pilot setpoint, the first pilot setpoint and the first flight parameter being homogenous in that they are expressed in the same measurement unit. The method includes a step of generating a first human pilot command from the first pilot setpoint followed by a step of generating a path command by combining the first autopilot command and the human pilot command.

A piloting device for piloting an aircraft includes a first and a second control stick movably mounted on a support, a detection system for detecting the positions of the first and second control sticks, an elastic mechanism configured to apply a restoring force to the second control stick, first and second actuation systems configured to apply respective first and second position adjustment forces to the respective first and second control sticks, and a control module configured to control the second adjustment force so that the positions of the first and second control sticks are identical. The control module is configured to control the first adjustment force based on the second adjustment force and the restoring force.