Leader Industries, Inc.

William Husa

John A Meekins

Described are aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, and at least one float coupled to the wing. As examples, each float may include a step that is located forward of or at an intersection of a bottom surface and a line that extends from an aircraft aft-most center of gravity at an angle of less than ten degrees rearward from a vertical direction. As further examples, each float may include 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, and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step.

Amphibious aircraft

Described are aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage, a shroud surrounding a propeller, and at least two floats coupled to the wing. As examples, each float may include a step that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that passes through a center of gravity of the aircraft and is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical. As further examples, each float may include 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, and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Snohomish, WA, United States of America

William Husa