This document outlines the design of a hovercraft built by students for a fall 2011 class. It describes the basic principles of hovercraft operation, including how they are able to travel over land, ice, and water using air pressure. It then provides details of the design for this student project, including choices of motors, batteries, fans, and materials for the body and skirt. A budget for the hovercraft is presented, with a total cost of $26.52.

1. HOVERCRAFT
DESIGN FALL
2011
Dan Kilanga Nickolas England, Claudette DuPont, Ryan Dunkerly

2. Basic theory of hovercraft operation
Air-Cushion Vehicle
“Capable of traveling over surfaces while supported
by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air
which is ejected against the surface below and
contained within a „skirt‟,” (Absolute Astronomy)

3. Land, Ice, and Water
The hovercraft is capable of moving cargo and
passenger over some of the most hostile terrain in the
world.

4. Design Principle

5. Motors
Lift Motor
RF-500TB-18280-6V Trust Motor
SKU: 1112092 RadioShack® Super Speed 9-
6V DC Motor 18VDC Hobby Motor
Voltage Range (VDC): 3.0- Model: 273-256
6.0  No load: 9VDC 380mA
Current (Amps): 0.05 current max., 11000± 15%
No Load Speed(RPM):5150 speed, 150g.cm min. torque
Rated Speed(RPM): 4300
Torque (g-cm): 21 With load: 9VDC 1.1A current
Power (W):0.27 max., 9300± 15% speed
Terminal Type: solder
Shaft Diameter: 0.079"
Shaft Length: 0.42"
Size: 1.26"D x 0.77"L
Kysan
PRICE: $1.95

6. Supplies
 Three 9 volt
Energizer Max
 27 Volts
Supplied
 $ 5.48
 Three Fully
Insulated 9V
Battery Snap
Connectors
 $1.79


7. Body
Polyshield
3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Foam
Insulation
$10.58

8. Fans
Used Crate Fans
3 Fans approximately $1.00 each

9. Budget
Hovercraft
Batteries $5.49
Fans $3.00
Motors $13.37
Body $ 1.50
Skirt $0.10
Wires $2.99
Total $26.52

10. Works Cited
Absolute Astronomy. 2011.
<http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Hovercraft
>.
Benson, Tom. NASA. 10 September 2010. 16
October 2011 <http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-
12/airplane/drag1.html>.
Blunden, Alan. „The Hovercraft. How it Works.
London: Ladybird , 1996.
Hover Rover. 2011
<http://www.discoverhover.org/abouthovercraft/faq.ht
m>.
Hover Travel . 14 10 2011.
<http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/about-the-
hovercraft.php>.
Inventions.com. 14 October 2011
<http://www.xinventions.com/main/hovercrafts/work.ht
m>.