An amphibious transport mode that rides on a cushion of air blown beneath its hull and contained by a flexible skirt, letting the craft travel over water, mud, ice and level land alike without ever touching most of the surface below it. British engineer Christopher Cockerell developed the practical design through the 1950s, and his SR.N1 first flew above the ground on 11 June 1959 before crossing the English Channel that July. Commercial cross-channel passenger service has since given way to faster catamarans, but hovercraft remain in use for military amphibious landings, shallow-water search and rescue, and recreation. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ConcernRiding above land, water, mud or ice on a self-contained cushion of blown air held by a skirt 1 Hovercraft
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Hovercraft
WikipediaIntroduction
A hovercraft (pl.: also hovercraft), also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV, is an amphibious craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and various other surfaces.
Overview
Hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull, or air cushion, that is slightly above atmospheric pressure.
History
The shipbuilder John Isaac Thornycroft patented an early design for an air cushion ship / hovercraft in the 1870s, but suitable, powerful, engines were not available until the 20th century.
- In Category: Modes
- Part Of: Maritime Transport
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