Hovercraft

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Can't argue with that – As I said – pretty obvious! Bob

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Posted by Paul T on 07/02/2018 14:51:40:

Chris

Thank you for your comments.

Likening hovercraft to trains was merely to demonstrate that hovercraft can be used in most surface transport applications, I agree that trains require tracks to run on and hovercraft don't but both can be used to carry people or cargo overland from A to B.

A hovercraft does ride on a cushion of air and there is a gap between the ground and the skirt.

The whole point of a hovercraft is that it has the power to lift it off the ground, admittedly only 300mm but it still fulfills the requirement of being airborne, and when hovering 'flying' over water or solid ground it is perfectly stable.

Paul

The point I was trying to make Paul, is that yes, they are stable when just above the ground but a little higher they wouldn't be!

On/just above the ground they are self-stabilising in that if they go out of level air spills from under the skirt at the high point and it drops down level again. This wouldn't happen any further off the ground and hence the more sophisticated methods of providing lift in VTOL's etc. Without the skirt/ground interface it would be uncontrollable!

I also disagree with you saying that it fulfils the requirement of it being airborne as it is being raised by exerting pressure on the ground/riding on a cushion of air rather than from the air itself.

Chris

[Marty HillierParticipant @martyhillier]

Posted by Empire Parkstone on 07/02/2018 08:44:07:

Helicopters are merely Rotary winged aircraft as opposed to fixed wing

Helicopters have that ability to stop then land and aircraft (mainly, with the exception of the Harrier) land, then stop.

[Empire ParkstoneParticipant @empireparkstone]

Posted by Marty Hillier on 08/02/2018 06:28:26:

Posted by Empire Parkstone on 07/02/2018 08:44:07:

Helicopters are merely Rotary winged aircraft as opposed to fixed wing

Helicopters have that ability to stop then land and aircraft (mainly, with the exception of the Harrier) land, then stop.

Does not alter the classification of being rotary winged Aircraft both depend on air flowing over/under their wings the chopper given time and altitude can land engine off albeit spare underpants recommended

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