What are the advantages of using a hovercraft as means of a transport?

Answer 1

For the majority of people hovercraft are a new experience. Our knowledge of them is usually gleaned from newspapers, television, magazines and the like, and consequently misconceptions are ripe.

For any vehicle to operate economically the drag, or resistance to motion, must be kept to a minimum. The majority of drag arises from the motion of the vessels hull through the water, therefore we can reduce drag and consequentially propulsive power by minimizing hull contact. The hovercraft achieves this by using low-pressure air to form an air cushion beneath it, thus actually lifting the hull clear of the water/ surface. In addition, by using air propulsion to generate forward movement, the hovercraft becomes amphibious, and able to traverse land, soft terrain / mud flats or water. The main point here is that because the hovercraft does not pierce the surface over which it is traveling the advantage is two-fold,
a) less friction = less fuel burnt to move,
b) less friction or interruption to the surface = less disturbance of the environment.

Therefore Hovercraft can be used to best advantage in shallow water and drying areas, these areas often being remote and environmentally sensitive. Most of these areas are wetlands, swamps, and river delta. They are not only the feeding ground for a lot of different species of birds but as well very often used from marine live for hiding from predators. In these sensitive areas are nearly no transportation means available. Hovercraft are able to operate in these areas in an environmentally friendly way.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The majority of drag arises from the motion of the vessels hull through the water, therefore we can reduce drag and consequentially propulsive power by minimizing hull contact. The hovercraft achieves this by using low-pressure air to form an air cushion beneath it, thus actually lifting the hull clear of the water/ surface. In addition, by using air propulsion to generate forward movement, the hovercraft becomes amphibious, and able to traverse land, soft terrain / mud flats or water. The main point here is that because the hovercraft does not pierce the surface over which it is traveling the advantage is two-fold,

a) less friction = less fuel burnt to move,

b) less friction or interruption to the surface = less disturbance of the environment.