Why is it harder for a hovercraft to change direction?

Answer 1

In a perfect scenario, a hovercraft has no contact with the ground, though much of the time, some of the material that makes the skirt will be touching the ground. Even with this minimal contact though, the weight of the hovercraft is counterbalanced by the air pressure its engines generate, rather than the skirt.

As air flows freely past itself, and there is little other source of frictional resistance, apart from the hovercraft's engines and air resistance, there isn't much that can stop a hovercraft once it gets going. Incidentally, it means that there isn't much to stop a hovercraft from moving in the first place.

Not all hovercraft have the same design, so some roll on corners more than others, so designers try keep the centre of gravity as low as possible, otherwise considerable weight shifting is required to get the hovercraft to turn. Hovercraft accelerate into corners to get into a spin.

Answer 2

A hovercraft is harder to change direction because it relies on air cushions for lift and propulsion. When turning, the air flow needs to be redirected to create the necessary force for maneuvering, which can be challenging due to the design and physics of the hovercraft. Additionally, the lack of direct contact with the ground makes it more difficult to generate friction for steering.