Our single engine hovercraft Velocity 25-30 passenger 2,500-3,000 Kilo
payload is designed to be mass produced, priced to be competitive with a
similar sized boat, offer generous cabin area with 300 degree visibility,
low sound levels, can operate in sea states up to force six, in white water
conditions, over surf, or amongst reefs with cruise speeds up to 70 knots.
Departures with full load are normally from deep water.
Hoverflight 30 cruises at 70 Knots 1 to 5 metres above the ocean providing
high speed ocean transport over smooth or rough seas. Hoverflight 30 is
Velocity 30 - 3000 with the addition of wings. These wings can be removed
for normal hovercraft operations as determined by mission requirements. This
craft can take off and land in open ocean in force 6 sea states and in water
depths of 3mm or more over reefs or mud flats.
Passengers experience unrivalled stability at sea with air cushioned comfort
never found on conventional craft. Passengers travelling in Hoverflight feel
little or no experience of movement.
Air conditioning, DVD entertainment on each seat, a chefs galley, toilets
with the passenger option to stroll around the deck under way, moor/drift on
the open ocean, lagoons, in shallow reefs for fishing, scuba diving, water
skiing or just explore natures wonders around unexplored islands and rivers
in water depths greater than 3mm (1/8) inch that cannot be traversed by
ordinary boats.
The 600 RPM 4.23 metre (14ft) / 750 RPM 3.48 metre (10ft) diameter propeller
creates such low sound levels passengers often have normal conversations
within 1/2 Meter of the propeller tip when travelling on the outside deck.
These craft is designed to carry 25 or 30 passengers or a payloads up to
3000 Kilos. The hull is built of marine grade aluminium and are powered by
diesel engines. The hull, lift fans, propellers, skirts, hydraulics are
designed and manufactured in our workshops.
All craft are built to Australian or International survey as required.
Modular Power Unit.
One 450 HP or (600 HP for Hoverflight) radiator cooled MANN diesel is
preferred for reliability and low weight. The engine, centrifugal lift fan
and seven blade Pitch in Motion propeller (forward & reverse thrust in a
composite duct to increase thrust efficiency and eliminate sound ) are
installed as one interchangeable modular power unit. An engine speed of
2100 Rpm gives a propeller speed of 600 or 750 Rpm depending on the diameter
of the propeller chosen. Steel plastic covered mesh prevents passengers or
cargo from contacting propeller blades. All modular power units are
interchangeable with other craft to eliminate down time.
Controls
Three controls, throttle, rudder via a steering wheel, and an electric
hydraulic control lever for forward and reverse propeller pitch. Engine
speed dictates the volume of air pumped under the craft creating the desired
air gap and propeller pitch dictates the desired forward speed. Engine
instrumentation, running lights, air conditioning, safety equipment and
anchors are standard on all craft.
Flying controls for hoverflight are identical to conventional aircraft being
three axis elevators, (main wing) rudders (behind propeller) and elevators
(on top of propeller duct) as shown. In addition the main wing angle of
attack is varied to a greater angle of attack for take off and landing at 40
knots to almost neutral for cruising at 70 knots on 65% power. The hull and
passengers remain horizontal at all stages of flight.
Hull
The hull is manufactured from marine grade aluminium plate, 1.2m wide, 11.5/13.0m
long 4mm thick underneath the hull and 3mm on sides and deck. This plate is
bent longitudinally. The bent plate is then welded longitudinally by an automatic
welding process. The four bulkheads are then welded into place forming three
watertight compartments, comprising the anchor storage, cabin and engine room.
The bottom and sides of the hull is bonded to foam flotation, the shape
being cut by a computer controlled wire cutter. This provides emergency
flotation outstanding heat insulation and soundproofing. The cabin is
welded into place, fitted out, the hull painted and the modular power units
bolted into place.
Wings
Wings are manufactured from composites of foam Carbon Fibre and Kevlar for
high strength, light weight and no corrosion or maintenance problems.
Skirt
The skirt is made of hyperon nylon neoprene and is a special variable pressurised
chamber type designed and manufactured by Australian Hovercraft Pty Ltd. This
skirt was designed to operate in rough sea conditions with a design life of
4,000 hours. Our current craft has shown no skirt wear over a two year testing
program with no skirt maintenance. This design allows the hovercraft to travel
high speeds in very short seas.
Cabin
Entry to the cabin is via two forward side doors down the stairway. The
interior dimensions are 8.4m long, 2.3m wide with a cabin height of 1.9m.
These dimensions can be changed to mission requirements. A person standing
in this cabin would observe the hull height is at waist level with tinted
glass from the hull height to the ceiling giving 300 degree vision to
outside scenery. The interior can be fitted out to include items found on
most luxury craft such as air conditioning, television, video, stereo sound
system, fridge, microwave oven, sink , toilet and shower. Power is provided
by a 12 volt DC invertor to give 240 AC current or an diesel alternator.
Seating shown on accompanying plan shows seats on both port and starboard
side of the cabin. Forward facing seats are provided on the 13 metre models.
Lounge seats shown in the plan measure 500mm by 500mm with contoured
backrest. Ample legroom is available between and underneath the front seats.
Much more useable space is available if business class or economy airline
size seats are fitted. Male and female toilets and a galley are also shown.
All seats are removable for cargo operations. The cabin is fully
airconditioned with heating provided for colder climates.
Specifications
Velocity 25 2500
30 - 3500
Hoverflight 30
Hull length (metres)
11.50
13.50
13.50
Hull Width (metres)
2.57
5.00
5.00
Cabin Length (metres)
8.40 +
8.40+
8.40
Cabin Width (metres)
2.30
3.75
3.75
Cabin Height (metres)
1.90
1.90
1.90
Freeboard (metres)
1.07
1.07
1.07
Propeller Diameter (metres)
2.44
3.048/4.23
4.23
Hull distance above water. (metres)
1.00
1.00
1.00
Empty Weight Ton
1.75
2.00
2.50
Payload Ton
2.50
3.50
3.10
Maximum speed Kts
70
70
80
Normal Cruise Kts
40
40
70
Passenger Nos.
25
30
12
Specifications may change to customers requirements
Operational
Our craft operate on/over water then dock at any jetty, mud flats, or waters
edge to offload passengers or cargo. Shore to ship or ship to ship transfers
are best done at a speed of 5 knots where in rough seas our hovercraft skirt
will press against the ships hull allowing safe passenger and cargo
transfers. The skirt is a excellent buffer and hull protector for both
vessels. Operations over sand or rocks are not recommended due to
possibility of sending sand into bystanders' eyes or into the propeller.
Passengers on our hovercraft Lady Bernie demand a maximum speed of 5 knots
over reef so they can stand outside the cabin to view reef, corral, sea
grass, fish and other marine creatures. Water skiing in deep water is a
must for tourism providing great fun for skiers and onlookers alike. All
Passengers stand on the port or starboard side of our craft with little or
no listing. Fuel consumption figures per engine manufactures specifications
at 65 to 70% of full power. Engine life with excellent maintenance is
between 5,000 and 18,000 hours. These figures change to various operational
factors such as short trips, high engine load with many cold starts (5,000
hours), long trips or continuous operations where the engine is always hot
with constant power settings (18,000). Quality servicing eliminates down
time and extends engine and component life to reduce operational costs.
Environment
Cruising speeds of 10 knots or more creates waves of 3mm inch, causing no
erosion to river banks.
The propeller at cruising speed is 750/600 Rpm or less creates a low frequency
sound that dissipates over a short distance. Tests done with dolphins, sea lions,
and birds at nesting colonies have proven our hovercraft can get twice as close
to the animals as a boat of the same size (with an outboard motor) before the
behaviour of these animals changes.
Passengers often stay on the bow, side decks or rear deck while the craft is
moving and have been unconcerned with the sound levels.
The skirt design allows people standing in waist deep water to have the
hovercraft pass over the top of them at 5 knots without injury. A diver 5 ft
under the water cannot hear the craft pass over him.
Survey
Hovercraft and Hoverflight are classified as marine craft and are surveyed
by Det Norskje Veritas (DNV) , American Burueo of Shiping (ABS) or
Commonwealth of Australia Marine Survey. Survey is not required for private
pleasure craft.
