Aircraft restraining system

Abstract: An aircraft restraining system (10) is utilised for securing and handling an aircraft on the deck of a ship (13). The system includes two elongate restraining beams (28, 30) which are transversely movable from respective storage positions for engaging at least two spaced portions of an aircraft, such as wheel spurs (64, 66). Each restraining beam (28, 30) includes a restraining member, such as a latch arrangement (48), for engaging the wheel spurs and restricting longitudinal movement of the spurs, and thus of the aircraft. At least one of the latches (48) is movable along the respective beam (28, 30) to permit a secured aircraft to be rotated on the deck.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an aircraft restraining system and a method for securing an aircraft on the deck of a ship. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION On a helicopter landing on the deck of a ship in rough sea conditions it is necessary to secure the aircraft immediately on landing, to prevent the aircraft sliding or toppling, which may otherwise result in damage or even loss of the aircraft. Typically, the aircraft will then be transferred from the landing area to a storage hangar. Many aircraft required to land on ships are provided with decklocks, in the form of probes usually on the rotor axis, which may be extended on the helicopter landing on the deck of a ship to engage with a landing grid. The decklock operates in a harpoon-like manner and once engaged with the grid pulls the aircraft into firm engagement with deck. The aircraft may then be engaged by a shuttle provided on a transfer rail to allow the aircraft to be transferred from the landing deck to a storage hangar. Examples of this form of system are described in US Patent Nos 4,319,722 and 4,786,014 to Pesando and Pesando et al, respectively, and European Patent Application No. 0,208,439 in the name of MacTaggart Scott (Holdings) Ltd. Other systems, in which a decklock or similar attachment is engaged directly by the shuttle of a transfer system, without engaging a landing grid, are disclosed in US Patent Nos. 4,123,020, 5,347,947, 4,420,132 to Korsak, Martin and Craig, respectively. While such systems may provide adequate security for an aircraft in most sea conditions, in very rough conditions the decklock may not be capable of restraining the aircraft. Other systems have been proposed in which further attachment methods are provided in addition to or as an alternative to the decklock, including United States Patent Nos. 3,830,452 and 4,529,152 to Seay and Bernard, respectively, and International Patent Application Publication No. WO93/17910 to MacTaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited. However, such further attachments are provided at or adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and thus may not be sufficient to prevent toppling of the aircraft in the roughest sea conditions. Also, the disclosed systems require the presence of operators on deck to secure the attachments, or manoeuvring of the aircraft while only engaged with the deck via the decklock. There have been a number of proposals for systems in which the main wheels of the aircraft are secured to a shuttle assembly on a transfer rail, including US Patent Nos. 5,102,091 to Craig, UK Patent Application GB 2075931 to Daf Indal Limited and European Patent Application 0449702 to Aerospatial Societa National Industriale. However, as with the arrangements described above, the transfer rails tends to be located at or adjacent the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and are thus not best suited to prevent toppling of the aircraft. Further, such systems typically require the presence of an operator to secure the main wheels to the shuttles: in the roughest sea states there are no operators on deck. French Patent No. 598,590, dating from 1925, discloses an arrangement for securing airships in which a pair of laterally spaced hooks, mounted on the upper ends of pistons, are provided for engaging eyelets provided on extendable arms on the airship. The arms are movable inwardly such that the eyelets may be engaged with the hooks to maintain the airship level, and when the airship is to take off the pistons may be extended before the arms themselves are extended to release the eyelets from the hooks. It is considered that such a system would be unsuitable for use on ships for securing aircraft, due to the accurate relative location of the aircraft and the hooks that would be required, and also the similarly accurately timed actuation of the arms by the aircrew when the necessary relative location was achieved. US Patent No. 5,248,115 to Aurelio discloses devices for gripping and handling helicopters on ships' decks including a pair of beams initially set parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship and mounted on a pair of transverse rails. The beams are moved inwardly to engage the wheels of the helicopter, the beams being pivoted to lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the helicopter. Shoes are slidable on the beams to secure the wheels. The beams then lift the helicopter, held by the restraining shoes engaging the tyres of the helicopter wheels, from the deck before rotating and moving the helicopter transversely to a position in which the helicopter may be engaged by a trolley mounted on a longitudinally mounted rail. German Patent Application DE-A-2 802 231 to Daf Indal Limited discloses a method of traversing a helicopter by aligning and connecting first and second strut assemblies mounted and moveable along beams connected longitudinally to a hangar, to port and starboard axle fittings of the helicopter. The helicopter may be rotated so as to align the helicopter with the hangar by moving one strut assembly longitudinally whilst the other strut assembly is held fast, thereby allowing rotation of the helicopter. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an aircraft restraining system adapted for securing and manoeuvring a wheeled aircraft on the deck of a ship, the system comprising two elongate restraining beams transversely movable from respective storage positions and adapted for engaging at least two transversely spaced portions of an aircraft positioned on the deck, each restraining beam including a restraining latch adapted for engaging the respective portions of the aircraft above the deck and restricting longitudinal movement thereof without restricting rotation of the aircraft wheels, and drive means for moving at least one of the restraining latches along the respective beam to permit rotation of the aircraft on the deck while maintaining the aircraft wheels in rolling contact with the deck. Further aspects of the present invention are defined in claims 13 and 15. In use, the system is used to secure an aircraft immediately it lands on the deck, and without requiring the presence of operators on the deck. Typically, the system will be utilised to secure wheeled helicopters landing on the decks of ships and will engage the spurs which extend laterally from the main wheels thereof, such that the aircraft fuselage will not move on the elasticity of its tyres under ship motion. Also, the system will likely be used in conjunction with an aircraft decklock and the restraining beams will be actuated immediately the decklock is engaged in the landing grid provided on the deck. In the present invention, unlike the proposal in US Patent No. 5,248,115, the restraining member provided on each restraining beam engages the respective portions of the aircraft without restricting rotation of the aircraft wheels, and movement of at least one of the restraining members along its respective beam results in rotation of the aircraft while maintaining the aircraft wheels in rolling contact with the deck. Preferably, in the storage position, the restraining beams lie flush with or below the level of the deck, and thus do not present an inconvenient and potentially hazardous projection from the deck surface when not in use. Preferably also, the restraining beams are movable from the aircraft engaging position while remaining engaged with the aircraft. Thus, the aircraft may remain secured on the deck as it is, for example, moved to a location for engagement with an aircraft transfer shuttle. Each latch may be movable from a latch storage position along a respective beam to engage with the aircraft. Most preferably, both latches may be driven such that the aircraft may be rotated to a limited degree by relative movement of the latches along the respective beams, and thus said parts of the aircraft along the beams, accompanied by appropriate transverse movement of at least one of the beams. When operated in conjunction with a decklock, the aircraft may be rotated about the engaged decklock. Also, if the aircraft is provided with transversely extending portions, such as main wheel spurs, rotation of the aircraft to an orientation parallel with the centre-line of the ship will optimise the length of the portions engaged with the restraining beams. Preferably also, the system further includes means for transferring the aircraft from the landing area and the restraining beams are movable to bring the portions of the aircraft to engage with the transfer means. Conveniently, the transfer means includes respective shuttles for engaging said portions of the aircraft. Preferably, said shuttles are also arranged to secure the aircraft against toppling and are movable along respective transversely spaced tracks. Alternatively, the transfer means may include a traversing frame movable along a single track. Preferably also, the system includes transversely movable supports for the main wheels of the aircraft to permit transverse movement of the secured aircraft, for alignment with the aircraft transfer means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This and other aspects of the present invention will now been described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic plan view of an aircraft restraining system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a, and 2b correspond to sectional views on lines 2-2 of Figure 1, shown somewhat enlarged and illustrating movement of a restraining beam between storage and in use positions; Figure 3 is a somewhat schematic plan view of the system of Figure 1 illustrating an exemplary aircraft landing, the system being illustrated prior to actuation; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views illustrating the further handling steps of the aircraft, subsequent to the initial landing of the aircraft as illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 10 is a somewhat schematic plan view of an aircraft restraining system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 11 to 15 are plan views of the system of Figure 10 illustrating an exemplary aircraft landing and handling operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings, which illustrates an aircraft restraining and handling system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 is, in this example, provided on the deck of a ship 12 and is utilised for securing the helicopter on landing on the deck 13, and then moving the helicopter to a position suitable for engaging with an aircraft transfer system for moving the helicopter from a landing area of the deck 13 to a hangar (not shown), as will be described in greater detail below. The system 10 includes a conventional landing grid 14 located in the centre of the deck landing area 13. The grid 14 defines a number of openings adapted to receive and engage a decklock as provided on the helicopter. The decklock is extended on landing the helicopter on the deck to engage with the grid 14 in a harpoon-like manner to provide initial securement of the helicopter on the deck. In most helicopters the decklock is aligned with the rotor axis, midway between the main wheels 16a, 18a of the helicopter. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the main wheels 16a, 18a and the nose wheel 20a of a helicopter which has landed with its decklock 22 in the centre of the landing grid 14 and the longitudinal axis of the helicopter 24a parallel the main axis of the ship 26. However, such accuracy is very difficult to achieve, particularly in anything other than flat calm conditions, and the other illustrated starboard main wheels 16 show the "landing scatter" which would typically be encountered. The wheels 16 shown in solid outline illustrate a 15° offset from the ship's axis while the wheels 16 shown in broken outline illustrate a 20° offset. Reference is now made to Figures 2a and 2b of the drawings which illustrate, in cross-section, one of two restraining beams 28, 30 forming part of the restraining system. The beam 28 will be described as exemplary of both. The beams 28, 30 are located outboard of the landing grid 14 and outboard of the wheel landing area 13 and, when not in use, occupy a storage position within deck recesses 29, 31, as shown in Figure 2a, in which the upper surface of the beam 28 is flush with the surface of the deck 13. To provide a smooth deck surface, the beam 28 includes a deck plate 32 which provides a smooth and continuous deck surface when the beam 28 is in the storage position. The beam 28 of this example is approximately 5.5 metres long. The beam 28 is attached to two rotatable brackets 33, 34, each bracket 33, 34 being driven by a pair of stainless steel recirculating roller screws 35 (only one shown). The four screws provided for each beam 28, 30 are mechanically synchronised to each other and their displacement is measured by appropriate shaft encoders 36. Drive for the screws 35 is provided by hydraulic motor 37. Such stainless steel recirculating roller screws have been used successfully in other off-shore applications and accommodate the marine environment without difficulty; furthermore, they are well able to cope with shock and are suitable for operation in applications likely to experience contamination with dirt, ice, chemical deposit or poor lubrication. Of course those of skill in the art will realise that the other drive arrangements, such as belts, roller chains, cables and the like may be provided for the beams. Alternatively, the beams may themselves be provided with drive motors for driving, for example, pinions engaging racks formed on the deck. To actuate the beam 28, the screws 35 pull on the brackets 33, 34 through roller nuts 38 and flexible links 39. Initial movement causes inboard wheels 40 on the brackets 33, 34 to roll up an inclined surface 41 to the level of the base of a beam rail 42, 43. At the latter part of this movement, outboard wheels 44 roll up an inclined ramp 45 on to the top of the beam rail 42, 43. In this way the beam 28 is rotated and elevated to operate at the level of the deck. The beam 28 defines a box-section 46 and an inboard channel section 47. The inboard face of each beam channel 47 is provided with a layer of shock absorbing material 51. Within the channel section a latch 48 is constrained to slide along its length. A further stainless steel recirculating roller screw 49 is used to drive the latch 48, in a similar manner to a lead screw of a machine tool. The drive to the latching mechanism screw 49 is provided by a stainless steel roller link chain 50 (Figure 1) which runs within the height of the rail and is brought up to and returned from the screw via idling sprockets mounted on each aft bracket 33. The chain 50 itself is driven by a hydraulic motor 52 and the position of the latch 48 along the beam 28 is determined via a shaft encoder 53. The beam rail sections 54 are of stainless steel and each accommodate two beam drive screws 35 and the inboard rollers 40 of the respective bracket 33, 34. The outboard rollers 44 roll on the top face of the rail sections. The beam rails 42, 43 are covered by a hinged flap when not in use, in order to keep out foreign objects. At the forward end of each beam 28, 30 a hinged traversing plate 55 (approximately 0.5 m x 0.5 m ) is provided and slides on top of the forward beam rails. On the underside of each plate a bearing, such as a TURCITE (TM) bearing, facilitates movement of the plate over the rail. To move an aircraft athwartships, as will be described, the main wheels are rolled on to the respective plates 55. Also shown in Figure 1 are three transfer rails 58, 60, 62 which lead to the hangar (not shown). Each rail 58, 60, 62 is provided with a respective shuttle 59, 61, 63 (Figure 8) adapted to engage the main wheels and nose wheel 16, 18, 20 of the helicopter, to transfer the secured helicopter from the deck 13 to the hangar. The operation of the system 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 through 8 of the drawings. Reference is first made to Figure 3 which illustrates the positions of the main wheels and nose wheel 16, 18, 20 of a helicopter which has landed at the extreme aft and starboard side of the grid with a heading of 15° to the ship's centre line, such that the decklock provided on the helicopter engages with the corner of the landing grid 14. Immediately the decklock engages with the landing grid 14, the restraining beams 28, 30 are actuated and are lifted from their storage positions (Figure 2a) before moving transversely inwardly along the rails 42, 43, as indicated by arrows A, B, until they contact the respective main wheels 16, 18 of the helicopter (Figure 4). In this particular example, the beams 28, 30 are adapted to engage the spurs 64,66 which extend transversely from the wheels 16, 18. On initial engagement of the beams 28, 30 with the respective spurs 64, 66, the spurs are located within the channel sections 47. The upper wall of each channel section 47 (Figure 2b) prevents upward movement of the spurs 64, 66 and thus minimises the likelihood of the helicopter toppling on the deck 13. Further, on the beams 28, 30 stalling against the wheels 16, 18, the latches 48 provided on the beams 28, 30 are actuated and travel along the beams 28, 30 from their aft storage positions until they engage with the respective spurs 64, 66 and secure the spurs 64, 66 against longitudinal movement. Thus, a very short period after landing on the deck 13, the helicopter is securely restrained by the beams 28, 30, in addition to the engagement of the decklock in the landing grid 14. With an oblique landing near the limit of operation of the system it may be advantageous to rotate the aircraft using tail rotor thrust about the decklock in order to optimise the length of spur engaged by the beams 28, 30. No fine degree of accuracy of rotation is required since a heading of up to ± 5° can easily be achieved by the pilot, stopping rotation of the aircraft using the main wheel brakes. The pilot rotates the aircraft nose wheel through 90°. After initial engagement, and possibly some degree of rotation under control of the pilot, the helicopter is rotated such that it lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship 26. This requires that the nose wheel 20 is turned through 90° to the position shown in Figure 4. The displacement of the latches 48 from the stowed condition is known from the displacement encoders 53, and moving the latches 48 such that they have a similar displacement from the stowed positions will result in the centre line of the aircraft being parallel to that of the handling system. Thus, the latches 48 are actuated to move in the appropriate directions, indicated by arrows C, D, to rotate the helicopter about the decklock, the beams 28, 30 moving transversely outwardly, in the direction of arrows E, F, (Figure 5) to accommodate versine movement. Movement of the latches continues until the helicopter is parallel with the ship axis (and handling system) 26, as illustrated in Figure 5. The helicopter is next moved forwardly, after releasing the decklock, utilising the latches 48, until the main wheels of the helicopter 16, 18 are located on the plates 55, as shown in Figure 6. The nose wheel 20 is rotated through 90°. The beams 28, 30 are then moved transversely, in the direction of arrows G (Figure 7), to align the wheels with the rails 58, 60, 62. The aircraft nose wheel 20 is rotated back through 90° to a fore and aft position. Both main wheel shuttles 69, 61 are brought fully aft and abut against the respective beams 28, 30 and the nose wheel shuttle is brought aft to an appropriate station (Figure 9). The latches 48 are then utilised to move the aircraft forwardly, from the plates 55, until the nose wheel 20 automatically engages with the nose wheel shuttle 63. The helicopter is then pulled forwards utilising the nose wheel shuttle 63, the latches 48 releasing the main wheel spurs 64, 66 such that the spurs may be pulled, with continuity of security, into the main wheel shuttles 59, 61, as illustrated in Figure 9. The helicopter may then be moved along the rails 58, 60, 62 to the aircraft hangar. It will be noted that during all of the above operations the main wheel spurs 64, 66 are secured either by the beams 28, 30 and latches 48 or the shuttles 59, 61, and thus there is minimal risk of the aircraft toppling or sliding uncontrollably on the deck 12. It will further be noted that the operation does not require the presence of operators on deck and thus reduces the risk to personnel in rough sea conditions. For weapons handling the aircraft is aligned as illustrated in Figure 7 and pulled aft by the latching mechanism to enable the decklock 22 to be engaged with the grid 14. The beams 28, 30 may be retracted although it is possible to enhance the security of the aircraft by keeping them in position. Reference is now made to Figures 10 to 15, which illustrate an aircraft restraining and handling system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment features a similar restraining beam arrangement to that described above, but is provided with a circular landing grid 14a and a simplified transfer arrangement. Further, rather than three transfer rails 58, 60, 62 and associated shuttles 59, 61, 63, a single rail 70 is used in conjunction with a traversing frame 72. The frame 72 is rigidly guided by the rail 70 and may be attached, through a latching arrangement 76, to the main wheel spurs 64, 66. This provides a two point attachment to the aircraft, thus guaranteeing security against weather cocking which could occur if a single attachment point is used. The steering of the aircraft is controlled from the main wheel spurs 64, 66. Drive to the frame 72 is via a stainless steel roller link chain 78. This requires only one comparatively small hydraulic motor 80 which takes up less space and weight and has reduced maintenance compared to the transfer arrangement of the first described embodiment, which utilises a conventional system of wires, pulleys and winches. The use of the roller link chain 78 enables a more accurate encoder 82 to be used for the control system 84 in place of wire pulley measuring systems which can have slippage. The chain 78 is supported within the rail 70 by a high density polyurethane guide channel, which eliminates the need for lubrication and which also exhibits good sound damping characteristics. The sequence of operation to bring a helicopter from landing into the hangar will now be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. Figure 10 is a plan view of the flight deck and shows the securing beams 28, 30 housed flush with the deck 13 and outboard of the landing grid 14a. Figure 11 illustrates a helicopter having landed at a 15° heading to the ship's centre-line and the decklock 22 engaged on the extreme port side of the grid 14a. The operator at the system control console then actuates the system. This causes the securing beam drive screws 35 to rotate the beams 28, 30 out of the deck 12 and travel inboard with a light force. Their movement is stopped when the beams 28, 30 come into contact with the main wheel spurs 64, 66 of the aircraft. The face of the beam that contacts the spur is covered with a shock absorbing material in order to reduce the beam decelerating force. When the beams 28, 30 are against the spurs 64, 66, each latching mechanism 48 travels along the beam channel 47 and automatically latches onto the spur 64, 66. The aircraft is now captive within the handling system with forces in the three principal dimensions being contained, thus preventing any unwanted aircraft movement. The pilot can now disengage the decklock 22, carry out blade folding and shut down engines. Because the aircraft is shown to have landed obliquely and off-centre, the traversing frame 72 can be moved aft directly into position. The exact disposition of the aircraft on the grid is known by the control system, though signals from the various encoders 36, 53 and therefore it will know if the traversing frame 72 can be brought into position without moving the aircraft. The aircraft is then rotated about the centre of the main wheel axis by the differential movement of the beam latches 48 until both latches are equally displaced, when the aircraft heading will be parallel to the system centre-line (Figure 12). The securing beams 28, 30 are moved slightly outboard by the management system to accommodate the versine movement as the aircraft is rotated. The aircraft is then moved forward by equal movement of the latches 48 until the main wheels mount the traversing plates 55 (Figure 13). The securing beams 28, 30 are next moved athwartships to bring the aircraft directly onto the ship's centre-line (Figure 14). Finally, the latches 48 move the aircraft forward a short distance when the spur security is transferred from the securing beam latches 48 to the traversing frame latches 76 (Figure 15). The traversing frame 72 can now bring the aircraft directly into the hangar with accuracy and security. For weapons handling after the aircraft has landed, the aircraft is aligned as described above in Figures 10 to 14. Since the aircraft will be re-armed and refuelled on the deck, the traversing frame 72 does not have to be attached to the main wheel spurs 64, 66. Weapon trolleys will be prepared in the magazine and brought to the hangar. The trolleys are then rigidly attached by links to the aft end of the traversing frame 72 and offset athwartships as required to reflect the weapon pylon positions. The traversing 72 frame is moved aft towards the aircraft pushing the weapon trolleys. This will bring the weapons accurately under the pylons. Ideally, the weapon trolleys should be capable of gently lifting the weapons into position where they would automatically be locked into the pylons. Alternatively, deck personnel will be required to use manual hoists to lift the weapons into position while personnel are on deck, and in particular in severe weather they may be attached by life-line to the traversing frame for security. In addition, it will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the independent claims.

Claims: An aircraft restraining system (10) adapted for securing and manoeuvring a wheeled aircraft on the deck (13) of a ship (12), the system comprising two elongate restraining beams (28, 30) transversely movable from respective storage positions and adapted for engaging at least two transversely spaced portions of an aircraft (64, 66) positioned on the deck, each restraining beam including a restraining latch (48) adapted for engaging and automatically securing the respective portions of the aircraft above the deck and restricting longitudinal movement thereof without restricting rotation of the aircraft wheels, and drive means for moving at least one of the restraining latches (48) along the respective beam (28, 30) to permit rotation of the aircraft on the deck while maintaining the aircraft wheels in rolling contact with the deck. The aircraft restraining system of claim 1, wherein, the restraining beams (28, 30) are adapted to be raised from the storage position to an elevated aircraft engaging level. The aircraft restraining system of any of the preceding claims wherein the restraining beams (28, 30) are movable from an initial aircraft engaging position while adapted to remain engaged with the aircraft. The aircraft restraining system of any of the preceding claims wherein each latch (48) is movable along the respective beam (28, 30) from a latch storage position at one end portion of the beam (28, 30) to be engageable with the aircraft. The aircraft restraining system of any of the preceding claims wherein both latches (48) are driveable for longitudinal movement along the respective beams (28, 30) to permit longitudinal movement of the aircraft on the deck while maintaining the aircraft wheels in rolling contact with the deck. The aircraft restraining system of any of the preceding claims further including means (58 - 63) for transferring the aircraft from a landing area (13), the restraining beams (28, 30) being movable to bring the portions of the aircraft to engage with the transfer means. The aircraft restraining system of claim 6 wherein the transfer means includes respective shuttles (59, 61, 63) adapted for engaging said portions of the aircraft (64, 66). The aircraft restraining system of claim 7 wherein the shuttles (59, 61, 63) are adapted to secure the aircraft against toppling and are movable along respective transversely spaced tracks (58, 60, 62). The aircraft restraining system of claim 6 wherein the transfer means includes a traversing frame (72) movable along a single track (70) and including latch arrangements (76) adapted for engaging the portions of the aircraft (64, 66). The aircraft restraining system of any of the preceding claims further including transversely movable support surfaces adapted for the main wheels of the aircraft (16, 18), to permit transverse movement of a secured aircraft without lifting the aircraft from the deck. The aircraft restraining system of claim 10 wherein the transversely movable support surfaces (55) are fixed to the restraining beams (28, 30). The aircraft restraining system of claim 5 further including transversely movable support surfaces adapted for the main wheels of the aircraft, the support surfaces being fixed to the respective restraining beams, such that a secured aircraft may be moved longitudinally using the latches to position the main wheels on the support surfaces and the aircraft then moved transversely without lifting the aircraft from the deck. Apparatus for securing and manoeuvring a wheeled aircraft on a deck of a ship (12), the apparatus comprising: two elongate restraining beams (28, 30) adapted to be movably mounted on the deck of a ship (12) and being locatable one on each side of a landing area (13) and parallel to the centre line of said landing area (13) ; means for transversely moving the beams (28, 30) across the deck to be engageable with respective transversely spaced portions (64, 66) of a wheeled aircraft positioned on the landing area (13); restraining latches (48) mounted on the beams (28, 30) and adapted for engaging and automatically securing the respective portions (64, 66) of the aircraft to restrict longitudinal movement of the aircraft; means for (i) moving at least one of the restraining latches (48) along the respective beam to permit rotation of the aircraft on deck with the wheels of the aircraft in rolling contact with the deck, to position the longitudinal axis of the aircraft parallel to the centre line of the landing area (13) and (ii) moving the restraining latches (48) along the beams (28, 30) to permit movement of the aircraft longitudinally on the deck with the wheels of the aircraft remaining in rolling contact with the deck; and transversely movable support surfaces (55) for receiving and supporting the wheels of the aircraft and permitting movement of the aircraft across the deck to locate the aircraft at a desired position on the deck. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said beams (28, 30) are movable athwartships across the deck. A method of securing and manoeuvring a wheeled aircraft on a deck of a ship, the method comprising the steps of: providing two elongate restraining beams (28, 30) on the deck of a ship (12), the beams (28, 30) being located one on each side of a landing area (13); transversely moving the beams (28, 30)across the deck to engage respective transversely spaced portions (64, 66) of a wheeled aircraft positioned on the landing area (13); engaging and automatically securing said respective portions of the aircraft with restraining latches (48) mounted on the beams (28, 30) to restrict longitudinal movement of the aircraft; moving at least one of the restraining latches (48) along the respective beam to rotate the aircraft on the deck, with the wheels of the aircraft in rolling contact with the deck, to position the longitudinal axis of the aircraft parallel to the centre line of the landing area (13) of the deck; moving the restraining latches (48) along the beams (28, 30) to move the aircraft longitudinally on the deck and parallel to the centre line of the ship (12), with the wheels of the aircraft remaining in rolling contact with the deck, to locate the wheels over transversely movable support surfaces (55); and moving the support surfaces (55) across the deck to locate the aircraft at a desired position on the deck. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of moving the support surfaces (55) includes moving the support surfaces (55) athwartships across the deck.

Inventors: CRAIG THOMAS MOODIE, CRAIG, THOMAS MOODIE
Applicants: MACTAGGART SCOTT, MACTAGGART SCOTT (HOLDINGS) LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B64F1
IPC codes: B64F1