Disclosed is a helicopter having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, a helicopter centre of mass and a maximum gross mass of less than 5000 kg, the helicopter comprising a fuselage elongate along the longitudinal axis, the fuselage comprising an aerodynamically shaped shell defining a front, a rear, a top and a bottom of the fuselage and a passenger cabin therein having two forward-facing front seating positions for the pilot and a co-pilot or a passenger, and forward-facing rear seating positions for at least 2 passengers, optionally 3 passengers; a primary fuel cell mounted substantially behind the passenger cabin; the front seating position for the pilot having a centre of mass at a first location substantially in front of the rotor hub location, and the primary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a second location substantially behind the rotor hub location; a landing gear arrangement; a power plant mounted substantially above and behind the passenger cabin, wherein the primary fuel cell is arranged to provide fuel to the power plant; and a secondary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a nose location in front of the rotor hub location by at least 1500 mm.
Disclosed is a collective control arrangement for a helicopter having a plurality of rotor blades, the collective control arrangement comprising: an armrest for a pilots seat, the armrest comprising an elongate channel; and a collective handle comprising: a first end slidably disposed in the elongate channel for coupling to one or more helicopter actuators that control collective pitch of the plurality of rotor blades; and a second end for gripping by a pilot. Advantageously the armrest comprises an elbow support portion configured to be located backwards of the hollow when the armrest is installed in the helicopter.
B64C 27/56 - Mécanismes pour la commande du réglage ou du mouvement de la pale par rapport à la tête du rotor, p. ex. mouvement de traînée caractérisés par les dispositifs de déclenchement de la commande, p. ex. à commande manuelle
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64D 11/06 - Aménagements ou adaptations des sièges
A light helicopter typically for 5 occupants is disclosed which achieves a hitherto unprecedented combination of range, speed and payload by adopting a novel approach to construction and positioning of components which affect overall aerodynamics in forward flight at speeds in excess of 70 metres per second and mass distribution and management of centre of gravity as fuel is consumed, load bearing strength and drag.
B64C 27/605 - Transmissions, p. ex. en liaison avec les moyens déclenchant ou agissant sur les pales mécaniques comportant un plateau oscillant, des mécanismes à tringlerie ou à came
B64D 27/02 - Aéronefs caractérisés par le type ou la position des groupes moteurs
B64D 41/00 - Installations génératrices de puissance pour servitudes auxiliaires
Disclosed is an autopilot system for a helicopter, the helicopter having: a cyclic and a collective that are physically coupled to helicopter actuators that control cyclic and collective pitch of main rotor blades of the helicopter and anti-torque pedals that are physically coupled to helicopter actuators that control the pitch of tail rotor blades of the helicopter; and at least one servomechanism configured to amplify force applied by the pilot to the cyclic, collective and/or anti-torque pedals; wherein the autopilot system comprises an autopilot actuator configured to: in an autopilot mode, control direction or orientation of the helicopter by applying force to a control link that is physically coupled to one of the helicopter actuators; and in a manual mode, provide stability or control augmentation by applying a force on one of the cyclic, the collective or one or both of the anti-torque pedals to influence the pilot's inputs to urge the helicopter away from a particular flight condition dependent on monitored aircraft parameters.
B64C 13/18 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés automatiquement, p. ex. répondant aux détecteurs de rafales utilisant un pilote automatique
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
G05D 1/08 - Commande de l'attitude, c. à d. élimination ou réduction des effets du roulis, du tangage ou des embardées
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p. ex. utilisant des pilotes automatiques
Disclosed is a ground movement system for a helicopter having a fuselage and rotor blades fixed to the top of the fuselage, the ground movement system comprising at least three wheels secured below the fuselage of the helicopter, the wheels being retractable during flight; a motor positioned in the hub or on the undercarriage leg of each of at least two of the wheels, wherein each motor is operable to rotate the wheel in forward and backward directions; wherein each motor allows the wheel to rotate freely when unpowered; at least one user interface operable to receive user input commands to control the speed and direction of travel of the helicopter using the ground movement system; and a control arrangement to provide control signals to each of the motors based on the user input commands.
G05D 1/437 - Commande de la position ou du cap par référence à un système à deux dimensions pour les aéronefs lors de leur déplacement au sol
H02J 7/14 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries pour la charge de batteries par des générateurs dynamo-électriques entraînés à vitesse variable, p. ex. sur véhicule
H04N 7/18 - Systèmes de télévision en circuit fermé [CCTV], c.-à-d. systèmes dans lesquels le signal vidéo n'est pas diffusé
A pitch and roll control arrangement for controlling lateral and longitudinal orientation of an aircraft includes a handle (5110) positionable above a pilot's seat and shaped to be gripped by the pilot (10), an elongate connector (5112) extending in a generally forward direction from the handle to a forward joint and an elongate transverse arm (5114) extending transversely from the forward joint of the connector to a mounting location forward and to the side of the pilot in use. A mounting arrangement supports the transverse arm at the mounting location to permit the transverse arm to move laterally sideways and fore and aft as the handle is moved by the pilot. A control coupling provides at least one moving connection which moves in response to fore and aft movement and lateral movement of the handle for coupling to actuators of the aircraft.
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64C 27/56 - Mécanismes pour la commande du réglage ou du mouvement de la pale par rapport à la tête du rotor, p. ex. mouvement de traînée caractérisés par les dispositifs de déclenchement de la commande, p. ex. à commande manuelle
B64D 43/00 - Aménagements ou adaptations des instruments
Disclosed is a pilot aircraft system control input arrangement for a light aircraft having primary flight controls, the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement integrated into an armrest for a pilot's seat, the armrest providing forearm support for a pilot and having integrated therein or associated therewith a primary flight control and wherein the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement is disposed to be reached by fingers of a pilot with their forearm resting on the armrest, the pilot system control input arrangement comprising: a numerical keypad interface for inputting data; a rotatable selector for inputting data; a function selector operable to switch the pilot input arrangement between at least two input functions that each enable the pilot input arrangement to receive a different type of input, wherein the types of input for the at least two input functions are selected from at least two of the following input categories: a pressure setting for an altimeter; a transponder code for a transponder; a frequency for radio or navigation equipment; a course or heading for an autopilot or navigation equipment; an interfacing arrangement for communicating inputs to at least two aircraft systems selected from: an altimeter; a transponder; a radio; a navigation system; and an autopilot system.
B64D 43/00 - Aménagements ou adaptations des instruments
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64C 13/18 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés automatiquement, p. ex. répondant aux détecteurs de rafales utilisant un pilote automatique
The present disclosure relates to an instrument for an aircraft which is found to be particularly effective in alerting a pilot to departures from safe flight conditions and which is expected to reduce the incidence of accidents, particularly in less experienced pilots in high workload situations. It is particularly useful in helicopters but may be used in fixed wing aircraft also.
G01C 23/00 - Instruments combinés indiquant plus d’une valeur de navigation, p. ex. pour l’aviationDispositifs de mesure combinés pour mesurer plusieurs variables du mouvement, p. ex. la distance, la vitesse ou l’accélération
A light helicopter typically for 5 occupants is disclosed which achieves a hitherto unprecedented combination of range, speed and payload by adopting a novel approach to construction and positioning of components which affect overall aerodynamics in forward flight at speeds in excess of 70 metres per second and mass distribution and management of centre of gravity as fuel is consumed, load bearing strength and drag.
B64C 7/00 - Structures ou carénages non prévus ailleurs
B64C 25/10 - Atterrisseurs non fixes, p. ex. largables escamotables, repliables ou ayant un mouvement apparenté
B64C 25/34 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue du type à roues, p. ex. bogies à roues multiples
B64D 35/08 - Transmission de la puissance des groupes moteurs aux hélices ou aux rotorsAménagements des transmissions caractérisée par le fait que la transmission est entraînée par plusieurs groupes moteurs
H02K 7/116 - Association structurelle avec des embrayages, des freins, des engrenages, des poulies ou des démarreurs mécaniques avec des engrenages
F16H 3/00 - Transmissions à engrenages pour transmettre un mouvement rotatif à rapport de vitesse variable ou pour inverser le mouvement rotatif
B64C 1/00 - FuselagesCaractéristiques structurales communes aux fuselages, voilures, surfaces stabilisatrices ou organes apparentés
Disclosed is an autopilot system for a helicopter, the helicopter having: a cyclic and a collective that are physically coupled to helicopter actuators that control cyclic and collective pitch of main rotor blades of the helicopter and anti-torque pedals that are physically coupled to helicopter actuators that control the pitch of tail rotor blades of the helicopter; and at least one servomechanism configured to amplify force applied by the pilot to the cyclic, collective and/or anti-torque pedals; wherein the autopilot system comprises an autopilot actuator configured to: in an autopilot mode, control direction or orientation of the helicopter by applying force to a control link that is physically coupled to one of the helicopter actuators; and in a manual mode, provide stability or control augmentation by applying a force on one of the cyclic, the collective or one or both of the anti-torque pedals to influence the pilot's inputs to urge the helicopter away from a particular flight condition dependent on monitored aircraft parameters.
Disclosed is a helicopter having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, a helicopter centre of mass and a maximum gross mass of less than 5000kg, the helicopter comprising a fuselage elongate along the longitudinal axis, the fuselage comprising an aerodynamically shaped shell defining a front, a rear, a top and a bottom of the fuselage and a passenger cabin therein having two forward-facing front seating positions for the pilot and a co-pilot or a passenger, and forward-facing rear seating positions for at least 2 passengers, optionally 3 passengers; a primary fuel cell mounted substantially behind the passenger cabin; the front seating position for the pilot having a centre of mass at a first location substantially in front of the rotor hub location, and the primary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a second location substantially behind the rotor hub location; a landing gear arrangement; a power plant mounted substantially above and behind the passenger cabin, wherein the primary fuel cell is arranged to provide fuel to the power plant; and a secondary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a nose location in front of the rotor hub location by at least 1500mm.
Disclosed is a pitch and roll control arrangement for controlling both lateral and longitudinal orientation of an aircraft having at least one pilot's seat, wherein the control arrangement comprises a handle (5110) positionable substantially above the pilot's seat and shaped to be gripped by a pilot (10); an elongate connector (5112) that extends in a generally forward direction from the handle portion to a forward joint; an elongate transverse arm (5116) extending generally transversely from the forward joint of the connector to a mounting location forward and to the side of the pilot in use; a mounting arrangement configured to support the transverse arm at the mounting location to permit the transverse arm to move laterally sideways and fore and aft and to constrain the forward joint to move generally horizontally as the handle is moved fore and aft and laterally by the pilot; a control coupling associated with the mounting arrangement arranged to provide at least one moving connection which moves in response to fore and aft movement and lateral movement of the handle for coupling to actuators of the aircraft.
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64C 27/56 - Mécanismes pour la commande du réglage ou du mouvement de la pale par rapport à la tête du rotor, p. ex. mouvement de traînée caractérisés par les dispositifs de déclenchement de la commande, p. ex. à commande manuelle
Disclosed is a collective control arrangement for a helicopter having a plurality of rotor blades, the collective control arrangement comprising: an armrest for a pilot's seat, the armrest comprising an elongate channel; and a collective handle comprising: a first end slidably disposed in the elongate channel for coupling to one or more helicopter actuators that control collective pitch of the plurality of rotor blades; and a second end for gripping by a pilot. Advantageously the armrest comprises an elbow support portion configured to be located backwards of the hollow when the armrest is installed in the helicopter.
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64C 27/56 - Mécanismes pour la commande du réglage ou du mouvement de la pale par rapport à la tête du rotor, p. ex. mouvement de traînée caractérisés par les dispositifs de déclenchement de la commande, p. ex. à commande manuelle
B64D 11/06 - Aménagements ou adaptations des sièges
Disclosed is a pilot aircraft system control input arrangement for a light aircraft having primary flight controls, the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement integrated into an armrest for a pilot's seat, the armrest providing forearm support for a pilot and having integrated therein or associated therewith a primary flight control and wherein the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement is disposed to be reached by fingers of a pilot with their forearm resting on the armrest, the pilot system control input arrangement comprising: a numerical keypad interface for inputting data; a rotatable selector for inputting data; a function selector operable to switch the pilot input arrangement between at least two input functions that each enable the pilot input arrangement to receive a different type of input, wherein the types of input for the at least two input functions are selected from at least two of the following input categories: a pressure setting for an altimeter; a transponder code for a transponder; a frequency for radio or navigation equipment; a course or heading for an autopilot or navigation equipment; an interfacing arrangement for communicating inputs to at least two aircraft systems selected from: an altimeter; a transponder; a radio; a navigation system; and an autopilot system.
B64C 13/04 - Dispositifs amorçant la mise en œuvre actionnés par l'homme
B64C 27/57 - Mécanismes pour la commande du réglage ou du mouvement de la pale par rapport à la tête du rotor, p. ex. mouvement de traînée caractérisés par les dispositifs de déclenchement de la commande, p. ex. à commande manuelle automatiques ou sensibles à certains facteurs, p. ex. sensibles à la vitesse du rotor, au couple ou à la poussée
B64D 11/06 - Aménagements ou adaptations des sièges
B64D 43/02 - Aménagements ou adaptations des instruments pour indiquer la vitesse des aéronefs ou les conditions de décrochage
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
Disclosed is a ground movement system for a helicopter having a fuselage and rotor blades fixed to the top of the fuselage, the ground movement system comprising at least three wheels secured below the fuselage of the helicopter, the wheels being retractable during flight; a motor positioned in the hub or on the undercarriage leg of each of at least two of the wheels, wherein each motor is operable to rotate the wheel in forward and backward directions; wherein each motor allows the wheel to rotate freely when unpowered; at least one user interface operable to receive user input commands to control the speed and direction of travel of the helicopter using the ground movement system; and a control arrangement to provide control signals to each of the motors based on the user input commands.
B64C 25/10 - Atterrisseurs non fixes, p. ex. largables escamotables, repliables ou ayant un mouvement apparenté
B64C 25/34 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue du type à roues, p. ex. bogies à roues multiples
B64C 25/40 - Trains d'atterrissage caractérisés par les éléments de contact avec le sol ou une surface analogue un mouvement rotatif étant communiqué aux éléments avant l'impact
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