In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first deflector configured to couple to a shaft of a wing of an aircraft and form part of a top surface of the wing when in a first closed position, and a second deflector configured to couple to the shaft and form part of a bottom surface of the wing when in a second closed position. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to be positioned proximate to the tip of the wing. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to simultaneously pivot from the closed positions to respective first and second open positions upon actuation of the shaft.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first deflector configured to couple to a shaft of an aircraft. The first deflector may form part of a top surface of the aircraft when in a first closed position. The apparatus may further include a second deflector configured to couple to the shaft and form part of a bottom surface of the aircraft when in a second closed position. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to be positioned at a junction of a body of the aircraft and a wing of the aircraft. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to simultaneously pivot from the closed positions to respective first and second open positions upon actuation of the shaft.

An example aircraft disclosed herein includes a wing, a spoiler rotatably coupled to the wing, the spoiler movable between a cruise position and an upward position and between the cruise position and a droop position, and a spoiler actuation system coupled to a hydraulic system of the aircraft, the spoiler actuation system including a first piston and a second piston, a rack coupled between the first piston and the second piston, the rack movable between a first position and a second position, a pinion coupled to the rack, the pinion to rotate between a third position and a fourth position when the rack moves between the first position and the second position, a first crank arm coupled to the pinion, the first crank arm to rotate with the pinion between the third position and the fourth position, and a second crank arm coupled to the first crank arm and to the spoiler, the second crank arm to move the spoiler between the cruise position and the upward position when the first crank arm rotates between the third position and the fourth position.

An aerodynamic control surface assembly includes a structure (2) with an aerodynamic surface (8) and a curved aerodynamic control surface (20) configured to move between an extended (24) and a retracted position (22). The aerodynamic control surface is arranged to deploy through an aperture (18) in the aerodynamic surface and into an oncoming airflow (A). An actuation mechanism (52, 152, 252) coupled to the aerodynamic control surface (20) moves the aerodynamic control surface (20) between extended and retracted positions. The actuation mechanism (52, 152, 252) is configured such that the control surface (20) follows a curved kinematic path (40, 140, 240) as the control surface moves between the extended (24) and retracted positions (22). The actuation mechanism (52, 152, 252) remains fully behind the aerodynamic surface (8) throughout the movement of the aerodynamic control surface (20) between the extended (24) and retracted positions (22).

Disclosed herein is a system for actuating a flap coupled to a wing of an aircraft in a streamwise direction. The system comprises a geared rotary actuator comprising a drive gear that is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The system also comprises a crank shaft comprising a driven gear in gear meshing engagement with the drive gear of the geared rotary actuator to rotate the crank shaft about a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis is angled relative to the first rotational axis. The system further comprises a crank arm co-rotatably coupled to the crank shaft and configured to be coupled to the flap. Rotation of the crank shaft about the second rotational axis rotates the crank arm in a direction perpendicular to the second rotational axis.

Aircraft, auto speed brake control systems, and methods for controlling drag of an aircraft are provided. In one example, an aircraft includes an aircraft structure. A drag device is operatively coupled to the aircraft structure between a stowed and a deployed position and/or an intermediate deployed position. A speed brake controller is in communication with the drag device to control movement. An autothrottle-autospeedbrake controller is in communication with the speed brake controller and is configured to receive data signals. The autothrottle-autospeedbrake controller is operative to direct the speed brake controller to control movement of the drag device between the stowed position and the deployed position and/or the intermediate deployed position in response to at least one of the data signals.

An aircraft spoiler mechanism includes a spoiler fore-section, a spoiler aft-section, and a reverse-motion linkage arm. The spoiler fore-section includes a forward end, a hinge end, an actuator coupling, and a pivot coupling to couple to a wing structure of an aircraft to enable rotation of the spoiler fore-section relative to the wing structure. The spoiler aft-section includes a hinge portion coupled to the hinge end of the spoiler fore-section and a crank-arm. The reverse-motion linkage arm includes a first end, a second end, and a pivot point coupled to the forward end of the spoiler fore-section. The spoiler mechanism also includes a first linkage to couple the first end of the reverse-motion linkage arm to the wing structure and a second linkage coupled to the second end of the reverse-motion linkage arm and to the crank-arm on the spoiler aft-section.

The invention relates to a control surface element for an airplane, in particular a spoiler, comprising a composite fiber element that has a surface around which air flows, a mounting device for movably mounting the composite fiber element on a structural component, and a reinforcing structure for reinforcing the composite fiber element. The reinforcing structure comprises at least one reinforcing element which is integrally formed with the composite fiber element. The reinforcing structure comprises a primary reinforcing element which is designed to receive main loads and which is connected to at least one secondary reinforcing element that is designed to receive secondary loads. The composite fiber element comprises a recess for integrally forming the primary reinforcing element.

A jet aircraft maneuvering characteristic simulation system for a single propeller aircraft includes a power lever, speed brakes, and a controller. The power lever is configured to change a thrust of the single propeller aircraft. The speed brakes are provided on respective right and left sides of the single propeller aircraft. The controller is configured to, in response to an operation of the power lever to raise the thrust of the single propeller aircraft, deploy both the right and the left speed brakes to cause an increase in speed of the single propeller aircraft to be moderate, and control the speed brakes to cause a force in a yaw direction and a force in a roll direction to be generated that act against a turning tendency of the single propeller aircraft by making amounts of the deployment of the right and the left speed brakes different from each other.

Aerodynamic structures having lower surface spoilers are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes a first spoiler of an aerodynamic structure of an aircraft, where the first spoiler is to deflect away from a first side of the aerodynamic structure and a second spoiler on a second side of the aerodynamic structure opposite of the first side, where the second spoiler is to deflect away from the second side to reduce a load on at least one of the first spoiler or a flap of the aerodynamic structure.