Attitude control of an aircraft in a ditching condition

摘要

Configurations provide rapid adjustment to an aircraft attitude in the water upon an emergency water landing. In one configuration, an aircraft fuselage has a forward compartment that includes a water intake and an air vent. The water intake is located below an expected waterline upon ditching the aircraft in water and transports a flow of water to the forward compartment at a designed flow rate. The air vent is positioned at a height in the forward compartment and allows a desired volume of water to fill the forward compartment and adjust an attitude of the aircraft within a time period.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
an aircraft fuselage having a wheel well for a nose landing gear, the fuselage including:
a water intake located below an expected waterline upon ditching the aircraft in water to transport a flow of water to the wheel well at a designed flow rate of water; andan air vent in the wheel well positioned at a height to allow a desired volume of water to fill the wheel well and adjust an attitude of the aircraft within a time period.