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