Ground-effect landing gear for aircraft - has flexible enclosure of torus-shaped elements bounding an overpressure space near ground surface

摘要

The ground-effect landing gear for use on aircraft intended for performing take-off and landing on unprepared soft ground comprises a platform mounting a flexible enclosure constructed in the form of a system of inflatable envelopes bounding an overpressure space near the ground surface. During transition to hovering and during movement of the aircraft the space is kept in communication with a compressed air source. The inner portion of the flexible enclosure is composed of separate torus-shaped elements joined together along chords.