A hovercraft is a type of amphibious vehicle that is supported by a cushion of pressurised air. To understand how hovercrafts work, you’ll need to understand that the engineering is more closely related to aircrafts, than that of boats or automobiles. 

But what goes into a hovercraft and how exactly do they work? Let’s explore that.

What is a hovercraft?

A hovercraft, formally known as an Air-Cushion Vehicle (ACV), is an amphibious craft capable of traveling over various surfaces, including land, water, mud, and ice. 

The term hovercraft is sometimes used more broadly to include similar vehicles like Hover Barges and Surface Effect Ships.

How does a Hovercraft work?

A hovercraft uses powerful fans or blowers to create a large volume of air, called an air cushion, beneath its hull. This air cushion is held in place by a flexible skirt around the perimeter.

• The increased air pressure under the hull generates lift, causing the craft to float just above the running surface.
  
• Because the vehicle is lifted by air, it experiences minimal friction with the ground or water, allowing it to move at high speeds and transition smoothly between different terrains without the need for ramps or traditional docking facilities.
  

Types of hovercraft:

Hovercraft:

Hovercraft come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from single-person leisure craft to massive passenger ferries capable of transporting over 400 passengers and 50 cars.

Due to riding on a cushion of air and avoiding water drag, hovercraft can achieve high speeds, with some models reaching up to 90 mph. 

This unique capability makes them ideal for various applications:

• Specialised Work: The smallest craft are essential for specialized tasks like oil/gas prospecting, scientific surveys, and search and rescue operations across difficult terrain.

• Commercial Transport: Larger models serve as high-speed ferries for moving passengers and vehicles efficiently across water.
  
• Military Operations: The amphibious design makes smaller models, like Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs), crucial for beach landings and delivering equipment from ship to shore.
  

Hover Barges

Hover barges are usually towed into position but they can be self propelled. They are used mainly in oil & gas exploration and production and have the advantage of being able to operate over land, sea or ice.

Surface Effect Ships

Surface effect ships combine the speed of a catamaran with the stability of a hovercraft. It is more resistant to slipping sideways when acted on by air or sea, and it can use water jets for propulsion as the inlet nozzles are always covered by water.

The vessel utilises the catamaran twin hulls combined with an inflatable bow skirt and an inflated ‘loop’ at the stern. Surface effect ships are used for fast ferries, tenders supplying offshore wind turbines, military patrol boats and attack vessels.

How does a Hovercraft work?

Hovercrafts create pressurised air between the hull and the water/ground below, with a flexible skirt around the perimeter that creates lift. The rubber skirt traps a cushion of air under the craft, which then escapes between the hovercraft skirt and the surface, reducing friction and allowing the craft to move along the surface.

When building a hovercraft, the skirt must be flexible enough to create clearance between the hull and the surface below, allowing the hovercraft to move over rough ground or waves.

Checkmate Flexible Engineering:

At Checkmate we work with our customers to develop, design, and manufacture the skirts and loops and associated parts. We are recognised across the world for our leading design and manufacturing capabilities.