Hover Car

The hovercraft is a transportation vehicle that can be used on land, water, ice, or swamps.

While it is classified as an "air cushion vehicle" or ACV, it is sometimes referred to as a "ground effects machine."

Instead of riding on a surface, the hovercraft actually hovers over the surface on a cushion of air. This cushion of air is powered by fans, mounted within the craft, which force air down between the bottom of the craft and the surface being traveled over.

A special "skirt," which surrounds the bottom of the craft, traps the air inside creating the lifting or hovering effect.

The principles and theories behind a hovercraft/ACV were recognized as early as the mid 1800's. However, a practical application was not developed until 1955 when Sir Christopher Cockerell, a British engineer, devised a way of trapping a cushion of air under the vehicle.

Today hovercraft are used throughout the world for many different purposes. The military use them for shore patrol and search and rescue missions. Government agencies use them for fire fighting and anti-smuggling operations. Scientists and explorers use them to travel over shallow rivers and swamps or over icy terrain. Commercial businesses use them to rapidly and smoothly transport goods and passengers on ferries across large waterways such as the English Channel.

Hull: main part, provides support for the air cushion

Motor: provides power to the propeller, making it move

Propeller: spins, forcing air into and under the hull, producing the air cushion

Cabin: holds all the electronics of the hover car

Switch: used to turn the hover car on or off

Steps in building the hover car:

- Prepare the hull
- Assemble motor mount assembly
- Connect motor mount assembly to the hull
- attach propeller to motor shaft
- Cut out cabin and attach to hull
- Attach switch
- Complete wiring
- Connect battery clamp to cabin
- Test vehicle

Newton's First Law of Motion: Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

Newton's Third Law of Motion: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.