WHAT IS HOVER CRAFT

A hovercraft, also known as an air-

cushion vehicle or ACV, is a craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces both at speed and when stationary. Hovercraft are hybrid vessels operated by a pilot as an aircraft rather than a captain as a marine vessel.

HOVERCRAFT

HISTORY
The hovercraft was invented by Christopher Cockerell

in 1956. The theory behind one of the most successful inventions of the 20th century, the Hovercraft, was originally tested in 1955 using an empty KiteKat cat food tin inside a coffee tin, an industrial air blower and a pair of kitchen scales. Sir Christopher Cockerell developed the first practical hovercraft designs, these led to the first hovercraft to be produced commercially, the SRN1.

DESIGN
Hovercraft can be powered by one or more engines.

Small craft, such as the SR.N6, usually have one engine with the drive split through a gearbox.
On vehicles with several engines, one usually drives

the fan (or impeller), which is responsible for lifting the vehicle by forcing high pressure air under the craft

1.Propellers 3.Fan 2.Air 4.flexible skirt

WHAT IS SR.N1
The SR.N1 was powered by a 450 hp Alvis Leonides

engine powering a vertical fan in the middle of the craft. In addition to providing the lift air, a portion of the airflow was bled off into two channels on either side of the craft, which could be directed to provide thrust. In normal operation this extra airflow was directed rearward for forward thrust, and blew over two large vertical rudders that provided directional control. For low-speed manoeuvrability, the extra thrust could be directed fore or aft, differentially for rotation.

How does a hovercraft work?

A hovercraft travels over land and water on a cushion

or bubble of low-pressure air. A hovercraft has one or more blowers that blow air underneath the craft, which is contained by a skirt. The skirt that is around the perimeter of the hovercraft performs an extremely important function in containing the air cushion. By using a skirt, the amount of engine power required to lift the craft

How does a hovercraft work?

Is considerably reduced and as an added benefit, extra

hull surface clearance is obtained. The skirt is a long strip of material that is mounted onto the underside of the craft. When the skirt is inflated, it lifts the hovercraft. The escaping air coming from where the skirt touches the ground is what creates a friction-less cushion of air. Because the hovercraft has practically no friction, it takes little force to move the craft

WHAT IS A HOVER CRAFT USED

A hovercraft is a vessel that is used for

transport during emergencies that are caused by natural disasters such as floods. They are also used for sport, and passenger services. Giant hovercrafts have civilian and military applications such as transporting of cars, tanks, and huge equipment to hostile environments and terrain.

WHY WOULD I WANT A HOVERCRAFT

Hovercraft are more environmentally friendly, because they

don't leave a wake that disturbs fragile sea beds or trails on land Hovercraft can go where traditional cars and boats can't from land to water and back Hovercraft are not as loud as you'd think - new technology has lowered noise levels Hovercraft have a wider beam (width) than traditional boats, so they are more spacious and comfortable than boats Hovercraft fly over the waves rather than through them, so they offer a smoother ride than conventional boats

What can hovercraft do?

Hovercraft can go over flat surfaces - water or land

and transition between them with no impact Hovercraft can be parked in a building when not in use or when being maintained Hovercraft can be quickly removed from the water and tied down during a hurricane Hovercraft can travel faster than traditional hull boats Hovercraft can go over fragile ecologically sensitive areas without damaging them

What can't hovercraft do?

Hovercraft are not designed for crossing oceans. With a

large enough hovercraft you could navigate heavy surf, but these are not intended to be used as trans-oceanic vehicles Hovercraft do not climb hills well. They need flat surfaces... but they can go over bumbs in the surface and some rough water without rocking - no motion sickness! Hovercraft can't fly - they may 'fly' over the surfaces, but hull will never go more than about 15 feet above the surface, and the bottom of the 'skirt' will generally be less than a few inches above the surface.