A control device for a cargo loading system on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft. The control device includes a plurality of selection switch elements each for selecting a loading configuration from a plurality of possible loading configurations, at least one first indicator device, comprising a display for outputting an at least partial depiction of the cargo deck, at least one second indicator device to be arranged (directly) on the cargo deck, in particular on system components of the cargo loading system, and a computing unit. The computing unit is configured to: a) determine a selected loading configuration based on signals from at least some of the selection switch elements; b) using the selected loading configuration, determine an identification region on the cargo deck and/or an identification selection of system components; and c) visualize the identification region and/or the identification selection using the first indicator device and the second indicator device (simultaneously).

A cargo hold of an aircraft having cladding elements and at least one housing element for accommodating electronic components and/or cables. The cladding elements are attached to supports, in particular structural elements, of the aircraft and have a plurality of cladding holes with predefined cladding hole spacings for attachment. The at least one housing element has at least one pair of housing holes for receiving fastening devices. The housing holes have a housing hole spacing which corresponds to at least one pair of cladding hole spacings.

A side guide for guiding and/or fastening pieces of cargo, in particular containers and/or pallets, in an aircraft. The side guide has at least one side guide device and at least one holding unit. The holding unit comprises a fastening frame extending in a longitudinal direction and at least one securing device arranged on the fastening frame, which has a plurality of recesses extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. The side guide device is insertable at different positions into at least one of the recesses and can be secured in the inserted state at the different positions by the securing device. The side guide device has at least one contact element, which, in the inserted state, can be engaged with at least one fixing element, displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the securing device.

A cargo aircraft configured to carry a portion of its payload in a cargo bay volume enclosed by a moveable nose door and supported by a structural extension of the fuselage that extends forward into the moveable nose door is disclosed. Examples include an aircraft with a continuous cargo bay extending from an aft end of a fixed portion into forward portion inside a nose door, where the portion of the cargo bay in the nose door is supported by a cantilevered support structure extending forward a length from a cargo opening into the fixed portion and such that the support structure extends into the nose door when the door is closed. The length of the support structure defines a supported cargo volume of at least about 15% of the overall volume of the fuselage forward of an aft end of the support structure.

A cargo deck for an aircraft having a center plane extending centrally along a longitudinal direction of the cargo deck. The cargo deck includes one or more perforated rails spaced apart from the center plane. The perforated rails may be arranged parallel to the center plane. The cargo deck may also include one or more roller tracks and/or fitting elements arranged relative to the center plane. The cargo deck may also include a one or more center guide locks having one or more guide claws.

An aircraft is described with both VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capabilities and convention airplane capabilities. A preferred embodiment comprises a fuselage and fixed wing, with one boom on either side of the fuselage. Each boom comprises a tilt rotor on a fore end and a fixed rotor on the aft end. Both rotors can be directed vertically for VTOL capability. During cruise the tilt rotors can be directed forward for thrust and the fixed rotors can be stopped and directed along the boom axis, minimizing drag. The described embodiments have advantages in weight savings and maneuverability compared to other VTOL aircraft.

A component inspection system for monitoring and detecting damage to components of a cargo handling system may comprise a first camera configured to monitor a first detection zone, and an inspection controller configured to analyze image data output by the first camera. The inspection system controller may be configured to identify a component of the cargo handling system in the image data received from the first camera and determine a state of the component. The state of the component may be at least one of a normal state or a damaged state.

A dynamically controlled cargo loading system for an aircraft includes electrical cargo conveying devices for conveying cargo items on a cargo loading deck; speed sensors, which are configured to capture current conveying speeds of the cargo conveying devices and/or the conveyed cargo items; electrical measuring devices, which are configured to capture current electrical parameters of the cargo conveying devices; and a control device which is configured to control the cargo conveying devices depending on the captured current conveying speeds and/or the recoded current electrical parameters such that at least one of the following variables is optimized: the electrical power consumption of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical wear of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical load action on the cargo items, the conveying time of the cargo items and the noise generation during the conveying of the cargo items.

A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a line replaceable unit; a data device configured to provide an operational status data concerning the line replaceable unit to the wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a first server configured to store a catalog of parts for repairing the line replaceable unit; and a system controller configured to communicate with a source of replacement parts for the line replaceable unit.

A drive wheel for a power drive unit of a cargo handling system is disclosed. One aspect of the drive wheel is that it includes one or more wear indicators for a tire of the drive wheel. Another aspect of the drive wheel is that it includes one or more features (e.g., at least one protrusion, alone or in combination with one or more slots) that resists relative rotational movement between the tire of the drive wheel and the hub of the drive wheel.