Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft control
Reexamination Certificate
2006-03-10
2010-11-23
Collins, Timothy D (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft control
Reexamination Certificate
active
07837143
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for disabling on-board pilot operation of an aircraft and transferring aircraft operation to an alternate source of control. The aircraft has at least one manually actuated control device for controlling at least one mechanical actuator, with the actuator causing movement of an aircraft attitude control surface or an aircraft engine throttle. The control device is mechanically connected to the actuator(s). The alternate source of control may be one or more of an autopilot, a flight control system and an off-aircraft human pilot. The method and apparatus for disabling on-board pilot operation provides for (a) receiving a signal indicative of an emergency condition requiring the disabling of on-board pilot control of the aircraft; (b) disconnecting the one or more control devices from their respective actuator(s) in response to the receipt of the emergency condition signal; and (c) connecting the actuator(s) to the alternate source of control.
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Steve Kirsch, “How to stop commercial air hijackings without inconveniencing air travelers”, Mar. 6, 2005, http://web.archive.org/web/20050306175945/http://www.skirsch.com/politics/plane/disable.htm.
Collins Timothy D
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott , LLC
Milde, Jr. Karl F.
Xavier Valentina
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