Patent ID: 7309044
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for improving the safety of an aircraft comprising an aircraft boarding area ( 2 ) located between a cockpit ( 1 ) and a passenger cabin ( 3 ) of said aircraft said boarding area normally providing access to said passenger cabin and to said cockpit, said apparatus further comprising an entrance door ( 21 ) for entering said boarding area ( 2 ) of said aircraft from outside, said apparatus further comprising means for converting said boarding area into a safety zone ( 2 ′) between said cockpit ( 1 ) and said passenger cabin ( 3 ) for inspecting passengers in said safety zone, said means for converting comprising a first controllable safety cockpit access door ( 25 ) positioned between said safety zone ( 2 ′) and said cockpit ( 1 ) and a second controllable safety cabin access door ( 26 ) positioned between said safety zone ( 2 ′) and said passenger cabin ( 3 ), said means for converting further comprising a first sensor ( 24 ) positioned for monitoring said safety zone ( 2 ′) and a further sensor ( 31 ) positioned for monitoring said second controllable safety cabin access door ( 26 ), and controls for operating said first and second controllable access safety doors into said cockpit and into said passenger cabin, said controls comprising any one of a manually operable control, an automatic light barrier trigger ( 32 ) and a release device, for closing and locking, prior to passenger embarkation on the ground, said first and second controllable safety access doors, while said entrance door is open so that a passenger can enter said safety zone ( 2 ′) for inspecting said passenger in said safety zone ( 2 ′), said controls further permitting unlocking and opening said second controllable safety access door ( 26 ) to said passenger cabin ( 3 ) while keeping said first controllable safety access door ( 25 ) to said cockpit closed and locked, whereby a passenger having passed inspection can enter said passenger cabin but is prevented from entering said cockpit ( 1 ).