The invention relates to a surfing arrangement (3) for mounting to underneath an aircraft (1), comprising at least a tank of a water collecting system (10), which arrangement (3) is configured for providing a gliding surface (7) on which said aircraft (1) may surf on water when having a moving speed higher than a predetermined value. The arrangement (3) comprises an elongated body (9), underneath which elongated body (9) the gliding surface (7) is situated, wherein the elongated body (9) is connectable to underneath an aircraft (1) by means of a linkage arm arrangement (23) arranged to a coupling element (25) configured to be coupled to the aircraft (1). The linkage arm arrangement (23) is, when the arrangement (3) is coupled to an aircraft (1), operational to vertically move the elongated body (9) between a raised position, in which raised position the gliding surface (7) is positioned above a lowermost contact point of a piece of a landing gear (5), and a lower position, in which lower position the gliding surface (7) is positioned underneath said lowermost contact point of the piece of said landing gear (5). Said movement of the elongated body (9) being selectively operational during flight of the aircraft (1). The invention further relates to an aircraft (1) comprising such a surfing arrangement (3).

The invention relates to a surfing arrangement (3) for mounting to underneath an aircraft (1), comprising at least a tank of a water collecting system (10), which arrangement (3) is configured for providing a gliding surface (7) on which said aircraft (1) may surf on water when having a moving speed higher than a predetermined value. The arrangement (3) comprises an elongated body (9), underneath which elongated body (9) the gliding surface (7) is situated, wherein the elongated body (9) is connectable to underneath an aircraft (1) by means of a linkage arm arrangement (23) arranged to a coupling element (25) configured to be coupled to the aircraft (1). The linkage arm arrangement (23) is, when the arrangement (3) is coupled to an aircraft (1), operational to vertically move the elongated body (9) between a raised position, in which raised position the gliding surface (7) is positioned above a lowermost contact point of a piece of a landing gear (5), and a lower position, in which lower position the gliding surface (7) is positioned underneath said lowermost contact point of the piece of said landing gear (5). Said movement of the elongated body (9) being selectively operational during flight of the aircraft (1). The invention further relates to an aircraft (1) comprising such a surfing arrangement (3).

A convertible ducted fan engine having a shroud, a drive shaft connected to a mechanical fan, and a rotational drive motor configured to rotate the mechanical fan. An embodiment includes a linear drive motor configured to translate the drive shaft and mechanical fan in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

A convertible ducted fan engine having a shroud, a drive shaft connected to a mechanical fan, and a rotational drive motor configured to rotate the mechanical fan. An embodiment includes a linear drive motor configured to translate the drive shaft and mechanical fan in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud. The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

A ground manoeuvering device comprises a housing with a fastening device for the skid, a hydraulic apparatus as well as an outer wheel and an inner wheel on two aligned horizontal axles on the hydraulic apparatus, respectively one on the inside and one on the outside beside the skid. The hydraulic apparatus comprises an extendable piston and an engagement shaft with a lever attached in a swivellable manner. When the lever is rocked, the piston is extended from the hydraulic apparatus and thereby lifts the housing vertically upwards. The engagement shaft is aligned in the wheel running direction and the lever extends, in the operating state, in the wheel axle direction of the outer wheel. In addition, the lever comprises a tread section, in order to raise the fastened skid onto the two wheels using the hydraulic apparatus while standing conveniently beside the helicopter repeatedly stepping with the foot on the tread section.

A ground manoeuvering device comprises a housing with a fastening device for the skid, a hydraulic apparatus as well as an outer wheel and an inner wheel on two aligned horizontal axles on the hydraulic apparatus, respectively one on the inside and one on the outside beside the skid. The hydraulic apparatus comprises an extendable piston and an engagement shaft with a lever attached in a swivellable manner. When the lever is rocked, the piston is extended from the hydraulic apparatus and thereby lifts the housing vertically upwards. The engagement shaft is aligned in the wheel running direction and the lever extends, in the operating state, in the wheel axle direction of the outer wheel. In addition, the lever comprises a tread section, in order to raise the fastened skid onto the two wheels using the hydraulic apparatus while standing conveniently beside the helicopter repeatedly stepping with the foot on the tread section.

A system for rolling landing gear includes a skid component attached to an aircraft, wherein the skid component further comprises a first skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the axis, a second skid tube oriented laterally to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, wherein the second skid tube is parallel to the first skid tube, a first wheel journaled on a first rotational fulcrum, a second wheel journaled on a second rotational fulcrum, a first biasing means attaching the first rotational fulcrum to the first skid tube, and a second biasing means attaching the second rotational fulcrum to the second skid tube, wherein the first biasing means and second biasing means exert a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the first rotational fulcrum and second rotational fulcrum with respect to the first skid tube and second skid tube.

A system for rolling landing gear includes a skid component attached to an aircraft, wherein the skid component further comprises a first skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the axis, a second skid tube oriented laterally to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, wherein the second skid tube is parallel to the first skid tube, a first wheel journaled on a first rotational fulcrum, a second wheel journaled on a second rotational fulcrum, a first biasing means attaching the first rotational fulcrum to the first skid tube, and a second biasing means attaching the second rotational fulcrum to the second skid tube, wherein the first biasing means and second biasing means exert a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the first rotational fulcrum and second rotational fulcrum with respect to the first skid tube and second skid tube.

A system for rolling landing gear is illustrated. System includes a skid component attached to an aircraft and comprising at least a skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. System also includes at least a wheel journaled on a rotational fulcrum and at least a biasing means attaching the rotational fulcrum to the skid tube, wherein the biasing means comprises at least a leaf spring and exerts a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the rotational fulcrum with respect to the skid tube.

A system for rolling landing gear is illustrated. System includes a skid component attached to an aircraft and comprising at least a skid tube oriented laterally to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. System also includes at least a wheel journaled on a rotational fulcrum and at least a biasing means attaching the rotational fulcrum to the skid tube, wherein the biasing means comprises at least a leaf spring and exerts a recoil force resisting upward displacement of the rotational fulcrum with respect to the skid tube.