What is a Hovercraft?
A “Hovercraft” is a vehicle that rides over land and water on a cushion of pressurized air. They are also called Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV) or Surface Effect Vehicles (SEV).

How does it work?  

Engines power fans or propellers that create air flow for lift and propulsion. A tube or “skirt” of flexible material surrounds the craft and helps to contain the bubble of pressurized air under the hull. The pressurized air pushes up equally on the bottom of the craft and against the surface it is sitting on. The air seeks the path of least resistance and leaks out from around the perimeter of the skirt. The Hovercraft rises to a preset height and is propelled by additional air pressure. The fan(s) that supply the lift air constantly replenish the air lost to leakage.

What are the benefits of a Hovercraft?
Hovercrafts offer many benefits over land and water based vehicles. The three main areas that a Hovercraft surpasses conventional transportation are in economics, ecology, and safety.

What makes a Hovercraft economical?  
Cars and trucks typically ride on tires that directly contact the surface they travel over. The weight of the vehicle is concentrated on a small area or “contact patch”. The vehicle uses this contact area for transmitting the weight, propulsion, and steering control to the ground. A great deal of friction occurs at the contact point and causes wear to the tires and road surface alike. Boats encounter friction just like cars and trucks. The resistance of the water against the hull requires marine craft to utilize complex hull designs and large amounts of power to reach high speeds. Because a Hovercraft rides on a cushion of air, they need to overcome less friction than conventional vehicles. There is little or no contact with the surface they travel over. Comparing a Hovercraft to a boat of equal size, the Hovercraft will typically use ½ the power to move the same weight at the same speed. The direct result is lower fuel consumption and lower operation costs. Using modern materials and construction technology Hovercraft can be built for comparable cost of conventional boats and ships.

What makes a Hovercraft ecological?
The fact that a Hovercraft rides on a cushion of air is directly responsible for its low or “zero negative impact” on the environment. Modern cars and trucks work best on a smooth hard surface. This requires a complex and costly system of streets, roads, highways, and bridges to connect destinations. The land, vegetation, and animal life are often permanently altered to accommodate this system. All boats and ships displace water and create turbulence under and on top of the surface when traveling. The wave action or “wake” left by vessels of all sizes has a direct and often negative impact on the marine life and causes shoreline erosion. One of the largest controversies and obstacles yet to be overcome in the marine transportation industry is the issue of wake damage. High-speed ferries operating near the shore of inland and costal waterways have caused tremendous amounts of damage to property and wildlife.

The efficiency of the air cushion technology allows a Hovercraft to carry large amounts of weight without damaging the surface. An average adult places about 3 pound per square inch of pressure on the ground when standing still. When running, the impact is about 25 pounds per square inch. A Hovercraft can carry thousands of pounds of weight and apply only 1/6^th of a pound per square inch on the surface! Placing a quarter in the palm of your hand is a good example. Traveling over a soft surface, like a sand beach, is equivalent to a seagull standing on one leg. A Hovercraft uses less power to do a comparable amount of work and typically utilize smaller engines. Less fuel is consumed so lower amounts of harmful emissions are created. Hovercraft engines can also run on new types of fuels and power sources more effectively than conventional vehicles. There is no hull or propeller in the water to damage underwater life and geology. Even the largest Hovercraft leaves little or no wake at medium to high speeds. Harbors and rivers no longer need expensive and ecology destroying dredging to deepen the waters. No special docks or piers are required for hovercraft to operate. New propulsion technology has reduced noise levels to equal or lower than those of conventional marine and commercial land based vehicles.

What makes Hovercraft safe?
Once again, the air cushion technology is responsible for the high level of safety offered by a Hovercraft. An air cushion vehicle can create a bubble of pressurized air capable of lifting the craft 12 inches to 12 feet above the surface! Traveling at high speed over land or water is safer due to this amount of clearance. Obstacles that would slow or stop a conventional land vehicle do not affect a Hovercraft. Shallow water and underwater obstructions that would stop or severely damage a boat or ship are of no consequence to a Hovercraft.

Why are Hovercraft not commonly known and used in the USA?
Mostly, it is due to a lack of education, understanding, and vision. The first patents for air cushion vehicles were granted in Europe and the USA over 100 years ago. It was not until the 1960’s when the American and English military seriously examined and experimented with Hovercraft technology. To this day, the United States has spent billions of dollars and maintains the most advanced fleet of Military Hovercraft in the world. In Europe Hovercraft have been used for public transportation of people, vehicles, and cargo for over 35 years. The Europeans are also avid Hovercraft racers. Hovercraft racing in the USA has been overshadowed by mainstream motor sports and athletic competition. However, there is a renewed interest in Hovercraft and rising popularity will push them into the public eye.

The Jones Act of 1920 was established to protect the shipbuilding industry in post WWI America. This law requires that all commercial marine vessels based and operating in US waters need to be built, owned and operated by American citizens. This includes hovercraft and effectively kept foreign made hovercraft out of the United States. During the 1980’s and 1990’s things started changing. Some foreign shipbuilders have located loopholes in American laws and have exploited them to gain a foothold in the US markets. ATLAS Hovercraft, Inc. is focused and driven to continue to provide our clients with the highest quality and competitive priced hovercraft in the world.

How noisy are Hovercraft?
From the early days of Hovercraft design during the 1950’s and 1960’s the manufacturers used a lot of aircraft technology to make them work. It was simple to adapt an airplane propeller to a Hovercraft application. The downside was that aircraft operate at thousands of feet above the ground and exterior noise is of little consideration to the designers of airplanes. In addition, the initial cost and maintenance of aircraft components and technology is very high and not attractive for Hovercraft operation.

How fast can hovercraft go?
Because they ride on a cushion of air, the friction between the craft and the surface is greatly reduced. Most hovercraft can easily reach a top speed of 45 to 60 miles per hour. The world’s record is around 85 mph but unofficial records in England and the USA indicate Hovercraft reaching 100 mph under certain conditions. Even at speeds of 50 mph, a Hovercraft is still twice as fast as the “fastest” conventional tour boat or “high-speed ferry”!

How can I learn more about hovercraft?
There is very little information available about Hovercraft. Only a handful of books have ever been published on the design and operation of these incredible vehicles. ATLAS Hovercraft, Inc. has devoted a considerable amount of time and money to the research and development or our Hovercraft technology. One of our primary goals is to educate our clients in the many benefits of this wonderful and exciting technology. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have.