A method for securing an aircraft landing gear wheel drive actuator in an open position of the wheel, the drive actuator being movably mounted on the landing gear between said open position in which it is remote from the wheel and an engaged position in which it cooperates with the wheel to ensure its rotational drive, a displacement actuator being coupled to the drive actuator to move same between the two positions, and a locking member being provided to lock the drive actuator in the open position. The method includes holding the controlled displacement actuator to move the drive actuator to the open position, while the drive actuator is locked in the open position.

A method for securing an aircraft landing gear wheel drive actuator in an open position of the wheel, the drive actuator being movably mounted on the landing gear between said open position in which it is remote from the wheel and an engaged position in which it cooperates with the wheel to ensure its rotational drive, a displacement actuator being coupled to the drive actuator to move same between the two positions, and a locking member being provided to lock the drive actuator in the open position. The method includes holding the controlled displacement actuator to move the drive actuator to the open position, while the drive actuator is locked in the open position.

A landing system for a heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle includes an elongated main body that is constructed from a rigid material. The main body includes a central aperture and plurality of connectors for engaging complementary connectors located on the bottom of an unmanned aerial vehicle. A pair of landing units that are positioned along two sides of the main body via connection assemblies which transition the landing units between an extended and retracted orientation. A pair of electromechanical actuators are positioned along the main body at locations adjacent to the landing units. The actuators can include linear motors that are offset from the landing unit connection assemblies. The actuators are coupled to the control and power units of an attached unmanned aerial vehicle.

A landing system for a heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle includes an elongated main body that is constructed from a rigid material. The main body includes a central aperture and plurality of connectors for engaging complementary connectors located on the bottom of an unmanned aerial vehicle. A pair of landing units that are positioned along two sides of the main body via connection assemblies which transition the landing units between an extended and retracted orientation. A pair of electromechanical actuators are positioned along the main body at locations adjacent to the landing units. The actuators can include linear motors that are offset from the landing unit connection assemblies. The actuators are coupled to the control and power units of an attached unmanned aerial vehicle.

A nose landing gear system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the nose landing gear system includes an electric motor; a hydraulic pump connected to the electric motor; a gearbox connected to the electric motor; and a clutch configured to mechanically couple the gearbox to a steering collar.

An aircraft having a fuselage extending in a longitudinal direction from a nose to a tail, and a main wheel assembly having a first main wheel spaced in a transverse direction from a second main wheel, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. One or more pivots connect the main wheel assembly to the fuselage. The one or more pivots have a rotation axis extending in the transverse direction such that the main wheel assembly is pivotable relative to the fuselage between a first fixed position with the first main wheel and the second main wheel in a first longitudinal position behind a center of gravity of the aircraft, and a second fixed position with the first main wheel and the second main wheel in a second longitudinal position behind the center of gravity of the aircraft. One or more extendable struts are operatively connected between the main wheel assembly and fuselage, and operable to move the main wheel assembly between the first fixed position and the second fixed position.

A trailing link landing gear (6) has a main arm (20) which extends from a proximal end (22) attachable to an aircraft (2) to a distal end (24), and a trailing arm (30) which extends from a pivotable connection at the distal end (24) of the main arm (20) to one or more wheels (39). A shock absorber (40) extends between the main arm (20) and the trailing arm (30). An adjustment member (50) mounted to one of the arms can be moved to move an end of the shock absorber (40) and thereby change the angle that the trailing arm (30) makes with the main arm (20). This, in turn, changes the height of the landing gear (6) and in doing so changes the angle of attack (10) of an aircraft (2) including the landing gear (6).

A trailing link landing gear (6) has a main arm (20) which extends from a proximal end (22) attachable to an aircraft (2) to a distal end (24), and a trailing arm (30) which extends from a pivotable connection at the distal end (24) of the main arm (20) to one or more wheels (39). A shock absorber (40) extends between the main arm (20) and the trailing arm (30). An adjustment member (50) mounted to one of the arms can be moved to move an end of the shock absorber (40) and thereby change the angle that the trailing arm (30) makes with the main arm (20). This, in turn, changes the height of the landing gear (6) and in doing so changes the angle of attack (10) of an aircraft (2) including the landing gear (6).

A method and apparatus for operating a power system architecture including an electrical power storage system, a power distribution bus selectively connected with the electrical power storage device, a hydraulic pump selectively connected with the electrical power storage device and a controller module communicatively connected with the electrical power storage system and the hydraulic pump.

A method and apparatus for operating a power system architecture including an electrical power storage system, a power distribution bus selectively connected with the electrical power storage device, a hydraulic pump selectively connected with the electrical power storage device and a controller module communicatively connected with the electrical power storage system and the hydraulic pump.