Patent ID: 6044311
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A system for protecting an aircraft in cruising flight against excessive load factors when a vertical gust of wind occurs, said aircraft having a plurality of aerodynamic pitch-attitude control surfaces (22), said system comprising:a pitch-attitude flight control system (21) which is under the control of a pilot of the aircraft;an automatic pilot (26);switching means (25) allowing said aerodynamic pitch-attitude control surfaces (22) of said aircraft to be controlled either by said flight control system (21) or by said automatic pilot (26); andprotection means (31) capable of acting on said switching means (25) to disconnect said automatic pilot (26) and switch on said flight control system (21), said disconnection of said automatic pilot (26) and said switching-on of said flight control system (21) being delayed by a delay time which is at least approximately equal to a typical duration of a vertical gust of wind and said switching-on of said flight control system (21) not being carried out unless said gust of wind persists when said delay time has elapsed.