Patent ID: 8152100
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. An amphibious aircraft transportation system, comprising: an amphibious aircraft having a set of retractable landing gear; a frame supported on a wheel bearing axle for movements over a roadway surface, wherein the frame includes a plurality of wheel tracks; a cradle configured to engage and support the amphibious aircraft apart from the set of retractable landing gear; and a lift mechanism interposed between and coupled to the frame and the cradle and operable to displace the cradle and the amphibious aircraft vertically with respect to the frame such that the set of retractable landing gear associated with the amphibious aircraft can be extended while the amphibious aircraft is supported by the cradle so as to make contact with the plurality of wheel tracks when the cradle is lowered and, responsive to the set of retractable landing gear supporting the amphibious aircraft on the plurality of week tracks, operable to displace the cradle and the amphibious aircraft vertically such that the set of retractable landing gear can be retracted.