초록 ▼

Several innovative systems for an aircraft, and aircraft incorporating them, are disclosed. Features include inboard-mounted engine(s) with a belt drive system for turning wing-situated propellers; compound landing gear integrating ski, pontoon and wheel subcomponents; pivotal mounting armatures for

Several innovative systems for an aircraft, and aircraft incorporating them, are disclosed. Features include inboard-mounted engine(s) with a belt drive system for turning wing-situated propellers; compound landing gear integrating ski, pontoon and wheel subcomponents; pivotal mounting armatures for landing gear and/or propellers which provide a plurality of possible landing gear and/or propeller configurations; and a compound wing structure featuring extendable wing panels that permit the wing span of the aircraft to be nearly doubled while in flight. Aircraft incorporating such features will enjoy several safety advantages over conventional multi-engine aircraft and will be capable of modifications during flight which permit landings on any of snow, hard surfaces (runways) and water.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An aircraft capable of takeoff from and landing on either snow or a hard surface, comprising:a wing structure;a fuselage;a forward landing gear assembly moveable relative to said fuselage during flight from a first position substantially retracted within said fuselage to a second po

[ I claim:] [1.] An aircraft capable of takeoff from and landing on either snow or a hard surface, comprising:a wing structure;a fuselage;a forward landing gear assembly moveable relative to said fuselage during flight from a first position substantially retracted within said fuselage to a second position substantially extended from said fuselage, said forward landing gear assembly comprising a steerable forward wheel assembly and a steerable forward ski assembly,said forward landing gear assembly further comprising a forward landing gear actuator assembly operable by the aircraft's pilot during flight which selectively deploys said steerable wheel assembly or said steerable ski assembly to said extended second position for landing;a main landing gear assembly moveable relative to said fuselage during flight from a first position substantially retracted within said fuselage to a second position substantially extended from said fuselage, said main landing gear assembly comprising a main wheel gear assembly and a main ski gear assembly including a pair of skis,said main landing gear assembly further comprising a main landing gear actuator assembly operable by the aircraft's pilot during flight which selectively deploys said main wheel gear assembly or said main ski gear assembly to said extended second position for landing.