Embodiments of the present invention include an aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage, a shroud surrounding a propeller of the power plant, and at least two floats coupled to the wing. In some embodiments, each float may further comprise a st
Embodiments of the present invention include an aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage, a shroud surrounding a propeller of the power plant, and at least two floats coupled to the wing. In some embodiments, each float may further comprise a step positioned forward of a line that is at least 5 degrees rearward of a vertical line passing through a most aft empty weight center of gravity. In some embodiments, each float comprises a forward portion that is positioned forward of the step, wherein a ski surface is coupled to the forward portion, and an aft portion that is located aft of the step, wherein the aft portion of each float is configured to be wetted at taxiing speed. A rudder may be coupled to the aft portion. Each float may also include a retractable wheel and landing gear, wherein the wheel is preferably positioned on the line that is at least 5 degrees rearward of a vertical line passing through a most aft empty weight center of gravity.
대표청구항▼
1. A method of taking off from water a general aviation class amphibious aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising: a. providing an aircraft, the aircraft having a center of gravity, the aircraft comprising: (i) at least one fuselage and a wing connected to the at least one fuselage
1. A method of taking off from water a general aviation class amphibious aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising: a. providing an aircraft, the aircraft having a center of gravity, the aircraft comprising: (i) at least one fuselage and a wing connected to the at least one fuselage,(ii) a power plant having a propeller, the power plant coupled to an aft portion of the at least one fuselage,(iii) a shroud surrounding the propeller, and(iv) at least two floats coupled to the wing, wherein each float comprises: a) a step that is located on a bottom surface of each float at a point that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that (1) passes through the center of gravity of the aircraft and (2) is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical;b) a forward portion located forward of the step, the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction, andc) an aft portion located rearward of the step;b. moving a throttle coupled to the power plant to a takeoff position;c. transitioning through a lower speed regime, wherein the aft portion of each float is wetted when the aircraft is taxiing;d. the aircraft proceeding with a nose-high attitude when the aircraft is in the lower speed regime;e. accelerating the aircraft above the lower speed regime to transition the aircraft to a plane on the ski surface of the forward portion of each float so that the aft portion of each float is no longer wetted;f. achieving a takeoff speed; andg. causing the aircraft to lift or rotate from the water. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes positioning the step on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft with a takeoff speed that is substantially 50 knots. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft that features a takeoff distance of less than 1000 feet. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft wherein each float comprises a retractable wheel. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft that features a cruising speed of at least 175 knots. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a rudder coupled to the aft portion of each float. 8. A method of taking off from water a general aviation class amphibious aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising: a. providing an aircraft, the aircraft having a center of gravity, the aircraft comprising: (i) a fuselage connected to a central region of a wing,(ii) a power plant having a propeller, the power plant coupled to an aft portion of the fuselage,(iii) a shroud surrounding the propeller, and(iv) at least two floats coupled to the wing, wherein each float comprises: a) a step that is located on a bottom surface of each float at a point that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that (1) passes through the center of gravity of the aircraft and (2) is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical;b) a forward portion located forward of the step, the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction, andc) an aft portion located rearward of the step;b. moving a throttle coupled to the power plant to a takeoff position;c. transitioning through a lower speed regime, wherein the aft portion of each float is wetted when the aircraft is taxiing;d. the aircraft proceeding with a nose-high attitude when the aircraft is in the lower speed regime;e. accelerating the aircraft above the lower speed regime to transition the aircraft to a plane on the ski surface of the forward portion of each float so that the aft portion of each float is no longer wetted;f. achieving a takeoff speed of at least 50 knots; andg. causing the aircraft to lift or rotate from the water. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes positioning the step on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft that features a takeoff distance of less than 1000 feet. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft wherein each float comprises a retractable wheel. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft that features a cruising speed of at least 175 knots. 13. A method of taking off from water a general aviation class amphibious aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising: a. providing an aircraft, the aircraft having a center of gravity, the aircraft comprising: (i) at least one fuselage and a wing connected to the at least one fuselage,(ii) a power plant having a propeller, the power plant coupled to an aft portion of the at least one fuselage,(iii) a shroud surrounding the propeller, and(iv) at least two floats coupled to the wing, wherein each float comprises: a) a step that is located on a bottom surface of each float at a point that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that (1) passes through the center of gravity of the aircraft and (2) is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical;b) a forward portion located forward of the step, the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction, andc) an aft portion located aft of the step, wherein the ski surface and the location of the step are configured to minimize surface contact pressure between the at least two floats and a landing surface;b. moving a throttle coupled to the power plant to a takeoff position;c. transitioning through a lower speed regime, wherein the aft portion of each float is wetted when the aircraft is taxiing;d. the aircraft proceeding with a nose-high attitude when the aircraft is in the lower speed regime;e. accelerating the aircraft above the lower speed regime to transition the aircraft to a plane on the ski surface of the forward portion of each float so that the aft portion of each float is no longer wetted;f. achieving a takeoff speed; andg. causing the aircraft to lift or rotate from the water. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes positioning the step on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft with a takeoff speed that is substantially 50 knots. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft that features a takeoff distance of less than 1000 feet. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the aircraft includes providing an aircraft wherein each float comprises a retractable wheel.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (21)
Riggins James W. (3304 40th St. San Diego CA 92105), Aero marine vehicle.
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