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A fixed wing aircraft that can be converted to an automotive vehicle, comprising a generally rectangular planform fuselage having four wheels as in conventional automobile practice, and a telescopic wing which retracts into a housing in the roof of the fuselage. Telescopic horizontal and vertical st

A fixed wing aircraft that can be converted to an automotive vehicle, comprising a generally rectangular planform fuselage having four wheels as in conventional automobile practice, and a telescopic wing which retracts into a housing in the roof of the fuselage. Telescopic horizontal and vertical stabilizers are provided at the rear end of the fuselage, as well as a retractable pusher propeller that is driven by an engine mounted on the front end of the fuselage. Both the propeller and the rear wheels are connected by a transmission box to the engine, so that either can be driven to operate the vehicle as an aircraft or as an automobile. On take-off, the rear wheels are partially retracted so as to place the aircraft at a proper angle of attack at the same time that the elevators are raised by pulling back on the control wheel. The control wheel is also connected to both the front wheels and the ailerons, and when turned 90°to the left or right while in the flight configuration, causes the ailerons to move to their extreme angular positions while the front wheels are turned only a minimal amount. Further turning of the control wheel causes the front wheels to turn to their full angular position, without causing further movement of the ailerons. The wing is also movable longitudinally with respect to the fuselage so as to trim the aircraft for shifts in the center of gravity with varying load conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

A convertible fixed wing aircraft comprising, in combination: a fuselage of generally rectangular planform having a pair of steerable front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels, said steerable front wheels being movable angularly between a straight-ahead position and fully turned positions to either si

A convertible fixed wing aircraft comprising, in combination: a fuselage of generally rectangular planform having a pair of steerable front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels, said steerable front wheels being movable angularly between a straight-ahead position and fully turned positions to either side of the straight-ahead position; a wing mounted on said fuselage and movable between a laterally extended flight configuration and a retracted automotive configuration; ailerons swingably connected to said wing at the trailing edge thereof for movement between a maximum upwardly angled position and a maximum downwardly angled position; horizontal and vertical stabilizer means at the rear end of said fuselage; a propeller; an engine and transmission means connecting the engine alternatively to either said propeller or to one of said pairs of wheels; and a control wheel permanently connected to both said front wheels and to said ailerons for actuating the same; said control wheel being operable, when turned approximately 90°in either direction, to cause said ailerons to move to their respective maximum angled positions while said front wheels are turned approximately 4°-6°, and when said control wheel is turned beyond approximately 90°, said front wheels may continue to be turned to their fully turned positions while the ailerons remain in said maximum angled position.