A door arrangement, for use on an aircraft, includes a door and an actuation arrangement. The arrangement is configured to move the door between an open position and a closed position. The actuation arrangement includes: a first member coupled to the door such that movement of the first member moves the door; a second member pivotally coupled to the first member and arranged to drive movement of the first member, wherein the second member is movable between a first position which corresponds to the door being in an open position and a second position which corresponds to the door being in a closed position; and an actuator arranged to rotate the second member between the first position and second positions. The door arrangement further comprises a fixed stop.

Shield assemblies for an aircraft landing gear include an aerodynamic shield, a first support bracket assembly, and a second support bracket assembly. The first support bracket assembly is configured to couple with a structural member of the aircraft landing gear, to support a first end of the aerodynamic shield, and to have a first position that is fixed relative to the structural member in an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction. The first support bracket assembly has a first clamp that is configured to fix the first support bracket assembly relative to the structural member in the x-direction. The second support bracket assembly is configured to support a second end of the aerodynamic shield and to have a second position that is fixed relative to the structural member in the y-direction and the z-direction.

Shield assemblies for an aircraft landing gear include an aerodynamic shield, a first support bracket assembly, and a second support bracket assembly. The first support bracket assembly is configured to couple with a structural member of the aircraft landing gear, to support a first end of the aerodynamic shield, and to have a first position that is fixed relative to the structural member in an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction. The first support bracket assembly has a first clamp that is configured to fix the first support bracket assembly relative to the structural member in the x-direction. The second support bracket assembly is configured to support a second end of the aerodynamic shield and to have a second position that is fixed relative to the structural member in the y-direction and the z-direction.

An aircraft hydraulic actuation system for retracting an aircraft landing gear. The actuation system includes a supply line arranged to carry hydraulic fluid pressurized by a pump, a return line arranged to return hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, and a hydraulic actuator 128. In a first mode of operation, a first chamber 130 of the actuator 128 is supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid from the supply line such that a piston 134 is moved in a first direction so as to move a load such as a landing gear. In a second mode of operation, the first chamber 130 is taken out of fluid communication with the supply line and a second chamber 132 is in fluid communication with the return line, such that the piston 134 is able to be moved under the influence of the load, for example when the landing gear extends under gravity.

An aircraft hydraulic actuation system for retracting an aircraft landing gear. The actuation system includes a supply line arranged to carry hydraulic fluid pressurized by a pump, a return line arranged to return hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, and a hydraulic actuator 128. In a first mode of operation, a first chamber 130 of the actuator 128 is supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid from the supply line such that a piston 134 is moved in a first direction so as to move a load such as a landing gear. In a second mode of operation, the first chamber 130 is taken out of fluid communication with the supply line and a second chamber 132 is in fluid communication with the return line, such that the piston 134 is able to be moved under the influence of the load, for example when the landing gear extends under gravity.

A landing gear controller (120) to control extension and retraction of a landing gear for an aircraft, the landing gear controller (120) configured to cause, during an aircraft take-off or landing procedure, a landing gear extension and retraction system (110) to perform only a first portion of a landing gear extension or retraction process, on the basis of a status of the aircraft and prior to receiving a command for the landing gear to be extended or retracted.

A landing gear controller (120) to control extension and retraction of a landing gear for an aircraft, the landing gear controller (120) configured to cause, during an aircraft take-off or landing procedure, a landing gear extension and retraction system (110) to perform only a first portion of a landing gear extension or retraction process, on the basis of a status of the aircraft and prior to receiving a command for the landing gear to be extended or retracted.

A factory for assembling aircraft or other systems includes a factory floor with multiple build stations. The factory floor includes a hub-and-spoke tool track having radial track sections connected to and extending radially from a circular center hub section. Each track section terminates at a respective build station. A mobile transport travels along the track to the build stations, transforms into different join tools at a predetermined build station, and thereafter engages and supports the components. An overhead crane may perform another task at each build station. The factory floor may include a first floor positioned below a smaller diameter second floor with ramps interconnecting the floors. A center tower is surrounded by the floor(s), with the center tower defining rooms. An aircraft may be assembled via a method using the above-noted factory.

A factory for assembling aircraft or other systems includes a factory floor with multiple build stations. The factory floor includes a hub-and-spoke tool track having radial track sections connected to and extending radially from a circular center hub section. Each track section terminates at a respective build station. A mobile transport travels along the track to the build stations, transforms into different join tools at a predetermined build station, and thereafter engages and supports the components. An overhead crane may perform another task at each build station. The factory floor may include a first floor positioned below a smaller diameter second floor with ramps interconnecting the floors. A center tower is surrounded by the floor(s), with the center tower defining rooms. An aircraft may be assembled via a method using the above-noted factory.

A method of operating a landing gear controller for an aircraft, including: the landing gear controller receiving one or more signals from at least one position sensor. The one or more signals indicate a position of one of a landing gear bay door and a landing gear when the landing gear bay door or the landing gear, respectively, is part way through a range of travel between two limits of travel. The method may also include the landing gear controller controlling movement of the other of the landing gear bay door and the landing gear on the basis of the one or more signals.