John Oscar Meekins

US Patent:

8272596, Sep 25, 2012

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756282

Inventors:

John A. Meekins - Virginia Beach VA, US
William Husa - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Leader Industries, Inc. - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B64C 25/54
B64C 35/00

US Classification:

244101, 244105, 244106, 244108

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

8430355, Apr 30, 2013

Filed:

Aug 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/589574

Inventors:

John A. Meekins - Virginia Beach VA, US
William Husa - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Leader Industries, Inc. - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B64C 25/54
B64C 35/00

US Classification:

244101, 244105, 244108

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

8430356, Apr 30, 2013

Filed:

Aug 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/589620

Inventors:

John A. Meekins - Virginia Beach VA, US
William Husa - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

Leader Industries, Inc. - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B64C 25/54
B64C 35/00

US Classification:

244101, 244105, 244108

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20060284010, Dec 21, 2006

Filed:

Jun 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/145790

Inventors:

John Meekins - Virginia Beach VA, US

International Classification:

B64C 35/00

US Classification:

244105000

Abstract:

A control apparatus, such as a hydrofoil, for general aviation class amphibious aircraft which include at least one fuselage having a hydrodynamic surface, the fuselage including a primary flight surface and a ducted power plant located aft and above the fuselage. The power plant location removes the fan/propeller arc from water and spray during water-borne taxiing, takeoff and landing. The combination of the hydrofoil, fuselage, lifting surface and ducting provides an aerodynamically efficient design with a lower center of gravity and protected powerplant for yielding improved performance including increased range and airspeed, together with favorable maneuverability, stability and control characteristics both aerodynamically and hydrodynamically.

US Patent:

20140048647, Feb 20, 2014

Filed:

Nov 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/667874

Inventors:

John A. Meekins - Virginia Beach VA, US
Leader Industries, Inc. - , US

Assignee:

Leader Industries, Inc. - Norfolk VA

International Classification:

B64C 35/00

US Classification:

244101, 244105

Abstract:

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 slanar in a left to right horizontal direction, and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step.