Patent ID: 9359065
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: B64C,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A system for optimizing performance of an aircraft, comprising: a flight control computer configured to compute an optimum flap setting based on aircraft data; a flap control system having a flap control device for selecting one of multiple flap lever positions comprising non-designated flap lever positions and at least one designated flap lever position, the non-designated flap lever positions and the designated flap lever position each corresponding to a standard flap setting, the flap control device having a variable-trailing-edge-position switch being operative when the flap control device is in a designated flap lever position selected from a group consisting of a takeoff flaps position, a go-around flaps position, an approach flaps position, and a landing flaps position, the variable-trailing-edge-position switch allowing for fine tuning of the flap setting of a trailing edge device in real-time during flight within a range of flap deflection angles associated with the designated flap lever position to allow for selection of the optimum flap setting, the optimum flap setting being different than the standard flap setting for the designated flap lever position; and a flap actuation system coupled to the flap control system and being configured to position the trailing edge device at the optimum flap setting.