In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a structural assembly, a skin, and a snubber. The structural assembly comprises a first rigid element and a second rigid element. The first and second rigid elements are separated from each over by a void. The skin is disposed proximate to the structural assembly and adjacent to the void such that the skin would deflect into the void in response to an impact force received by the skin. The snubber is disposed in the void between the first and second rigid elements and positioned such that, when the skin deflects in response to the impact force, the skin contacts the snubber and the snubber reduces further deflection of the skin into the void.

Wildlife deterrence methods and systems use mono-colored light within a sensitivity range of a short-wavelength-sensitive (SWS) photoreceptor of a species to be deterred, such as an avian species. The mono-colored light may be generated by one or more high brightness mono-colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) and may be within 25 nm of a peak absorption wavelength of the SWS photoreceptor of the species. The mono-colored light is directed to a deterrence area with an intensity sufficient to cause at least a temporary disruption of visual perception in the species to induce an augmented behavioral response in the species resulting in avoidance of the deterrence area. The mono-colored light may also be generated as intermittent pulses having a duration sufficient to keep a pupil of an eye of the species in a continuous unstable state to prevent light adaption by the species.

A wildlife deterrence aircraft lighting apparatus includes at least one species deterrent LED to provide non-lethal deterrence of avian species (i.e., birds) within a deterrence area in an immediate flight path of an aircraft. The species deterrent LED may be configured to emit mono-colored light at a wavelength within a sensitivity range of a short-wavelength-sensitive (SWS) photoreceptor of at least one avian species and with a light intensity in at least a portion of the deterrence area sufficient to induce an augmented behavioral response. The lighting apparatus may also control the species deterrent LED(s) and aircraft lighting LED(s) independently and may provide voltage control and temperature control to enable the wildlife deterrence function without interfering with the aircraft lighting functions. The lighting apparatus may further be configured to reduce luminous flux loss and to provide thermal management to accommodate both wildlife deterrence and aircraft lighting functions.

A device for protecting a front spar structure of a central casing -of an aircraft wing and at least one item of equipment situated in the wing, comprising: a shielding surface extending in front of the front spar of the central casing, from a surface of an intersection between the wing and the fuselage delimited by the root of the wing, transversely to the surface of intersection, to a first rib of the central casing partially surrounding at least one item of equipment; and means -for fixing the shielding surface to the central casing producing an isostatic link.

An aircraft lighting system includes a light source and a processing system. The light source is rotationally mounted on an external surface of an aircraft to rotate at least 360-degrees about a rotational axis. The light source is configured, upon being electrically energized, to emit light. The processing system is in operable communication with the light source and is coupled to receive an anti-bird mode activation signal and one or more sensor signals representative of a position and flight path of birds. The processing system is configured, upon receipt of the anti-bird mode activation signal, to process the one or more sensor signals to determine the position and flight path of the birds, electrically energize the light source to emit light, and command the light source to rotate in one or more directions so that the emitted light is directed toward birds.

An automatic emergency radar and proximity sensor activated protection system that could assist to prevent commercial, private, or military aircraft jet engines from being damaged or destroyed by the installment of a Shielding Blade Assembly which will immediately close when detection of objects such as; birds, debris, or other destructive elements try to enter through the engine intake while the aircraft is in FLIGHT causing the Internal Air Injection Unit (A.I.U.) to supply high volumes of air in order for the engine to stay operational and prevent it from stalling while in FLIGHT.

Described herein is an aircraft. The aircraft includes a peripheral assembly, such as a sensor probe. The aircraft further includes a release assembly connecting the peripheral assembly to a portion of the aircraft. The release assembly is configured to separate the peripheral assembly and the portion upon receipt of a threshold force. The release assembly may be configured to allow for the quick release, such as via a snap-fit connection, between the peripheral assembly and the portion of the aircraft.

A counter-bird aircraft system is disclosed, including a Doppler detection device having at least one emitter positioned on an aircraft, the emitter to emit a beam ahead of the aircraft. At least one receiver detects a return signal caused by the presence of a threat to the aircraft. A microprocessor processes the reception of the return signal and transmits an alert to an alert system which notifies the pilot of the presence of the threat.

In one aspect, a device for preventing bird strikes to an engine. The device includes a projector mounted on a component of the engine. The projector is positioned to project an image outside of the engine. In another aspect, an engine for an aircraft. The engine includes an engine component and a projector mounted on the engine component. The projector is positioned to project an image outside of the engine.