| A hovercraft works on the principle of aero | | | | should follow that the total weight the |
| dynamics. This is similar and can also be | | | | vehicle can lift is its bottom surface area |
| attributed to fluid mechanics in engineering. | | | | multiplied by its cushion pressure. This |
| Although the vehicle was designed to glide | | | | should tell you the type of fans to use in |
| primarily in water, it behaves more like an | | | | relation to its horsepower. |
| aircraft vehicle. Its ability to function | | | | |
| and operate fully relies so much on the air | | | | - The Skirting System - This is one part in |
| pressure simulated by its fan. This | | | | your design plan that is unique on its own. |
| innovative engineering idea and application | | | | Its purpose is to somewhat trap the air |
| is what makes a hovercraft work. | | | | coming from the fan, allowing only a |
| | | | regulated release of air. This concept to |
| This vehicle can come in different designs. | | | | manipulate air dynamics creates the cushion |
| Some of them can carry a greater mass of | | | | required to lift the hovercraft. |
| people or load and usually used for | | | | |
| commercial purposes. Others are designed for | | | | - Hovercraft's Thrust and Air Drag - Just |
| singular loads. Most of them look weird and | | | | like aircrafts and automobiles, it should use |
| quaint. And as mentioned above, even when | | | | its applied science on thrust and air drag |
| they qualify as boats, a hovercraft behaves | | | | too. A plan for building a hovercraft should |
| like aircrafts. So if you have a plan of | | | | include where to place the propellers for |
| building a hovercraft, simply understand the | | | | creating the thrust. Windshields or similar |
| principle. | | | | installations are required for air drag |
| | | | purposes. Like the fan used for air cushion, |
| - A hovercraft's lift depends on its overall | | | | the horsepower for your propellers should |
| size and weight so your minimum cushion | | | | determine how fast it can go. And while at |
| clearance should not be lesser than 6 inches. | | | | it, the air drag design is considered to |
| This means that when its maximum load is in | | | | reduce the air friction for a smoother sail. |
| place, the pressurized air below should be | | | | Some hovercrafts use one powerful fanning |
| able to contain a lift of that much. This is | | | | system to support both cushion and thrust. |
| the minimum because in cases when you need to | | | | |
| glide in land, stones in the soil that can | | | | - The Steering System of the Hovercraft - |
| affect the smoothness of its glide. | | | | Imagine how a horseback rider maneuvers a |
| | | | horse. This principle is similar to how the |
| - Air-Pressurized Cushion - This is | | | | hovercraft is steered. In your plan for |
| generated by a fanning system powerful enough | | | | building a hovercraft, you need a system of |
| to create the lift. In designing a plan, | | | | rudders placed behind the propellers with |
| make sure that the pressure must be | | | | handlebars to control it. Another method |
| proportionately amendable to the weight of | | | | would be to allow weight displacement of your |
| the vehicle. If you hope to build to carry | | | | body. The latter can be tricky and requires |
| one person only, then use fans that exert the | | | | a lot of practice to perfect your hovercraft |
| appropriate pressure required. The concept | | | | gliding experience. |