THREE-POSITION AIRCRAFT TAIL SKID MECHANISM AND METHOD OF ACTUATION

摘要

A system includes an aircraft having a fuselage with a tail portion. A tail skid is disposed in an opening of the tail portion. The tail skid includes a ground contact shoe and a mechanism configured to selectably move the ground contact shoe between respective ones of a stow position disposed within the opening, a landing position disposed below the opening, and a takeoff position different than the stow and landing positions. Before a takeoff or a landing, the ground contact shoe is moved to a corresponding one of the takeoff or landing positions. In the event of an over-rotation or an over-flaring of the aircraft during a takeoff or a landing, respectively, the ground contact shoe makes contact with the ground and a shock absorber of the system absorbs a shock of the contact and thereby prevents tail strike damage to the aircraft.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
an aircraft having a fuselage with a tail portion; and a tail skid disposed in an opening of the tail portion, the tail skid comprising:
a ground contact shoe; anda mechanism configured to selectably move the ground contact shoe between respective ones of a stow position disposed within the opening, a landing position disposed below the opening, and a takeoff position different than the stow and landing positions.