Patent ID: 6042052
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
An aircraft comprising:at least one floating hull have a major axis along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft;a hydrodynamic step, formed at an aft portion of the at least one floating hull, said hydrodynamic step generating vortices so as to allow the at least one hull to cleanly separate from water flow when said aircraft becomes airborne; anda retractable fairing, coupled to the at least one floating hull, said retractable fairing retractable into the hydrodynamic step when the aircraft is waterborne and extendable to cover the hydrodynamic step when the aircraft is airborne so as to reduce aerodynamic drag,wherein said retractable fairing further comprises:a lower fairing portion having a cross-sectional shape conforming to a cross-sectional shape of the shape of the at least one hull at an edge of the hydrodynamic step, andwherein said retractable step further comprises:a first hinge portion, having a first portion attached at a rearward portion of the lower fairing portion and a second portion attached at a rear portion of the hydrodynamic step, so as to allow said lower fairing portion to hinge upwardly into the hydrodynamic step.