| 摘要 |
The invention comprises an improved seaplane having a retractable step. The term retractable step, however, is a misnomer. The step portion of the seaplane float includes a panel which may be extended once the plane is airborne to reduce aerodynamic drag created by such hydrodynamic steps. The panel may be hinged at a rear portion of the aircraft and extended and retracted using a hydraulic strut or the like. Side panels may also be provided which would hinge via a piano type hinge or the like to the sides of the extendable panel. The side panels may be provided with an end pin or pins which would travel in a track within the step cavity such that the side panels would be pushed into position as the step cover panel is extended. The apparatus of the present invention may be employed in both conventional and tunnel type hulls.
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