A flight control surface actuator includes a mechanism that enables the
actuator translation member to be selectively decoupled from the actuator
rotating member. The actuator includes an actuation member, a translation
member, an extension member, and a locking member. The actuation member
is adapted to receive a drive force and is configured, in response to the
drive force, to rotate and cause the translation member to translate. The
extension member surrounds at least a portion of the translation member
and is configured to be selectively coupled to, and decoupled from, the
translation member. The locking member surrounds at least a portion of
the extension tube and is movable between a lock position, in which the
locking member couples the extension member to the translation member,
and a release position, in which the locking member decouples the
extension member from the translation member.