A parachute and inflatable assembly for an aircraft may comprise a parachute configured to attach to the aircraft and an inflatable configured to extend from a bottom surface of the aircraft. A propulsion system sensor may be configured to measure an operating condition of a propulsion system and a controller may determine whether the propulsion system is experiencing a failure based on a signal output from the propulsion system sensor.

A parachute and inflatable assembly for an aircraft may comprise a parachute configured to attach to the aircraft and an inflatable configured to extend from a bottom surface of the aircraft. A propulsion system sensor may be configured to measure an operating condition of a propulsion system and a controller may determine whether the propulsion system is experiencing a failure based on a signal output from the propulsion system sensor.

Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating an emergency flotation system for floating a flying machine on a body of water. The system includes a water sensor mounted to the flying machine. An inflation device is configured to produce an appropriate amount of pressurized gas in response to the water sensor detecting a presence of water. An inflatable flotation device is in fluid communication with the inflation device, to receive the pressurized gas and thereby become inflated. The flotation device is configured, when inflated, to impart a buoyant force to the flying machine in the water.

Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating an emergency flotation system for floating a flying machine on a body of water. The system includes a water sensor mounted to the flying machine. An inflation device is configured to produce an appropriate amount of pressurized gas in response to the water sensor detecting a presence of water. An inflatable flotation device is in fluid communication with the inflation device, to receive the pressurized gas and thereby become inflated. The flotation device is configured, when inflated, to impart a buoyant force to the flying machine in the water.

A buoyancy method for deploying a plurality of floats of a buoyancy system of an aircraft. The plurality of floats comprises a plurality of main floats and a plurality of secondary floats that are folded in flight. The method comprises a step of deploying the main floats in flight prior to ditching, and a step of deploying the secondary floats after ditching.

A buoyancy method for deploying a plurality of floats of a buoyancy system of an aircraft. The plurality of floats comprises a plurality of main floats and a plurality of secondary floats that are folded in flight. The method comprises a step of deploying the main floats in flight prior to ditching, and a step of deploying the secondary floats after ditching.

The present invention includes an apparatus for preventing aircraft rollover upon a water landing comprising: a deployable first and/or second boom affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft; and a first and/or second air bladder attached to a second end of the first and/or second boom, wherein the first and/or second air bladders are configured to inflate when an aircraft lands in the water, wherein deployment of the first and second boom and air bladder prevents aircraft rollover upon water landing; or a deployable keel affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and opposite a rotor of the aircraft upon a water landing, wherein the keel is sized to prevent aircraft rollover upon deployment; or both.

The present invention includes an apparatus for preventing aircraft rollover upon a water landing comprising: a deployable first and/or second boom affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft; and a first and/or second air bladder attached to a second end of the first and/or second boom, wherein the first and/or second air bladders are configured to inflate when an aircraft lands in the water, wherein deployment of the first and second boom and air bladder prevents aircraft rollover upon water landing; or a deployable keel affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and opposite a rotor of the aircraft upon a water landing, wherein the keel is sized to prevent aircraft rollover upon deployment; or both.

The present invention relates to a control method for inflating at least one float of a buoyancy system. During a mode (MOD1) of automatic inflation in flight, calculation means determine whether a predetermined ditching condition is true during a step (STP1) of predicting a forthcoming impact. During a step (STP2) of characterizing said impact, at least one predicted component of a ditching speed is determined. During an automatic inflation step (STP3), each float is automatically inflated in flight when at least said ditching condition is true and when each determined predicted component is less than a corresponding speed threshold.

The present invention relates to a control method for inflating at least one float of a buoyancy system. During a mode (MOD1) of automatic inflation in flight, calculation means determine whether a predetermined ditching condition is true during a step (STP1) of predicting a forthcoming impact. During a step (STP2) of characterizing said impact, at least one predicted component of a ditching speed is determined. During an automatic inflation step (STP3), each float is automatically inflated in flight when at least said ditching condition is true and when each determined predicted component is less than a corresponding speed threshold.