Panel-mounted aircraft control stick

#1.Field of the Invention

#The invention relates generally to aircraft. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of control systems design.

#2.Description of the Related Art

#Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft incorporating an embodiment of the panel-mounted control stick;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the panel-mounted control stick;

#Referring now to FIG. 1, an aircraft 100 contains a control stick module 102 located in the cockpit area of aircraft 100. Aircraft 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a small aircraft commonly known in aviation; however the panel-mounted control stick could be utilized in numerous other sorts of aircraft and other aircraft designs instead of that shown in FIG. 1. Aircraft 100 includes various control surfaces, including an aileron pair 104 for controlling the roll of aircraft 100 and an elevator pair 106 for controlling the pitch of aircraft 100. The specific control surfaces shown on aircraft 100 may also comprise elevons or various other designs for aircraft control surfaces. The specific design for aircraft 100 shown in FIG. 1 does not form any part of the invention but is merely for illustrative purposes.

#Control stick module 102 comprises at least one control stick assembly 108 and pitch beam assembly 110, which will be described in further detail below. FIG. 1 displays an embodiment of the invention comprising two control stick assemblies 108. In other embodiments of the invention there may be only one control stick assembly or the control stick assemblies may be located in different relative configurations.

#The control stick assemblies 108 are connected through various linkages to the control surfaces of aircraft 100 to allow for movement thereof in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Thus, pitch and roll are able to be controlled by the pilot of aircraft 100 in flight by manipulating stick assemblies 108. A pilot and optional co-pilot input pitch and roll control to the aircraft 100 by various movements of control stick assemblies 108.