The Boeing Company
Controlling airloads on aircraft folding wing tips

Abstract:

Example apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for moving control surfaces on an aircraft wing to control airloads during a wing tip folding operation (from a folded position to an extended position or from an extended position to a folded position). An example method includes determining a position of a control surface on a wing of an aircraft. In the example method, the wing has a fixed wing portion and a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The example method includes determining a change in the position of the control surface from a first position to second position for facilitating movement of the wing tip while the aircraft is not in flight. The example method also includes moving the control surface to the second position and moving the wing tip between an extended position and a folded position.