Patent ID: 7837143
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for disabling on-board pilot operation of an aircraft and transferring aircraft operation to an alternate source of control, said aircraft having at least one manually actuated control device for on-board human pilot control of at least one mechanical actuator, said actuator causing movement of one of (1) an aircraft engine throttle and (2) an aircraft attitude control surface, said at least one control device being mechanically connected to said at least one actuator, said alternate source of control comprising at least one of an autopilot, a flight control system and means for receiving control signals transmitted from a remote station, said signals representing commands by an off-aircraft human pilot, said apparatus comprising, in combination: (a) means for receiving a first electric signal indicative of an emergency condition requiring the disabling of on-board pilot control of said aircraft; (b) means for mechanically disconnecting said mechanical connection between said at least one control device and said at least one actuator in response to said first electric signal indicative of said emergency condition; and (c) means for mechanically connecting said at least one actuator with said alternate source of control, in response to said first electric signal indicative of said emergency condition.