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First Bavarian Self-Constructed Hovercraft with item Profiles
Hover Over (almost) Every Ground at 80 km/h
Numerous objects have already been constructed using our MB System: from an "apple ripeness testing machine" to platforms for a NASA moon base. Nevertheless, what Josef Schmidt and Johannes Donaubauer from the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt designed with our profile system is actually one of the most impressive applications.
According to the friends' plans, the fully functional vehicle was to hover out of the workshop within a year. A TV report and the fascinating possibility of hovering over almost all grounds motivated their decision taken in November 2005.
Good Planning and a Lot of Experience
The two twenty-year-olds have been passionate by technology since they were children, but a hovercraft is a real challenge, even for experienced tinkerers. For this reason, the first step consisted in simple investigation, planning and splitting the project into different phases. During the first step, all information and technical fundamentals that could be found were collected. This is when they contacted the "Hovercraft Club of Great Britain" and the "German Hovercraft Club" in Munich to benefit from their practical experience.
After testing the physical effects on a small model, two months later they started the CAD construction. This is also when item components were first introduced, i.e. on the screen. Little by little the Bavarian hovercraft was taking shape.
Finally, 3.30 x 2.10 metres were considered to be the ideal dimensions.
A motorcycle engine was chosen to drive the vehicle, as it had the best weight/price/performance ratio.
The next step consisted in purchasing the individual materials and modules. This task turned out to be trickier than first thought. Particularly as the planned budget was limited to approx. the price of a second-hand compact car. Thus, the skirt was made using a lorry cover and a Yamaha R6 Motor with 120 PS was taken from an accident-damaged motorcycle.
During this step, item Bayern made a very good job not only by delivering the frame parts simply and quickly but also by giving Josef Schmidt and Johannes Donaubauer some useful tips for their project. So there were no difficulties during the assembly of the frame which was completed in no time. "Compared to the alternative solution with a fibreglass-reinforced plastic chassis, the frame construction shows several advantages regarding costs, manufacturing process and flexibility ", Josef Schmidt explains. The issue of the drive and steering systems was much trickier such as the transmission of force from the engine to the fan.
Fortunately, they could borrow the needed tools and expertise from their circle of friends. At that point, the first year had already passed and the project was delayed due to the fulfilment of study obligations. During months, the two technophiles could only work on the hovercraft on Sundays. The first test run of the rotor drive took place in Autumn 2007, and in Summer 2008 the hovercraft could be submitted to its first trial run.
A Feeling of Freedom and Adventure
Finally, on 31st August, the hovercraft was tested on a neighbouring meadow. First hesitantly, then with increasing running time, more audaciously. As there is no contact between the ground and the more than 300 kg heavy vehicle, the driving experience is difficult to describe.
You have to have quite some courage and risk tolerance to sit down in motorcycle clothing with a droning rotor just behind you and hover over a meadow at 80 km/h speed. The steering occurs with both steering gears, like with the yaw rudders of a plane and also by weight stabilising similarly to motorcycling.
There is no braking system as such. The only way to stop the vehicle is a 180° turn. As the soil properties slightly influence the speed and driving direction, it is almost impossible to drive in straight line. It would also be unimaginable to let go of the handlebar even for a few seconds. With a 15-litre tank of four-star you can drive for approx. 30 minutes - theoretically even over water.
"It's quite funny - and it was really worth the efforts", both agree. Even if at the beginning they had to work 10 hours weekly on the project and a lot of money was invested. In the meantime, there were also weeks during which nothing was done because both had to concentrate on their studies. The two Bavarian techies are still feeding on the experience they gathered during each phase of the construction. Both men are very proud that they were able to design and construct the hovercraft on their own even if they are not trained technicians. "With a certain instinctive feeling and a lot of passion for technical matters, it is possible to implement such a project", Johannes Donaubauer says. Nevertheless, the boat will remain a unique piece. This is not due to a little accident "in which item profiles proved of value", but to the fact that the two hobby technicians would like to dedicate themselves to the optimisation of the construction and control electronics. Here, quite a lot of improvement is planned - "besides we have to leave some room for further technical challenges", Schmidt explains.
Schmidt and Donaubauer would be glad to help anybody who would like to drive their own hovercraft one day.
More links:
Video of the assembly of the hovercraft with first test run:
www.selbstbau-luftkissenboot.de.vu
Deutscher Luftkissenfahrclub (German Hovercraft Club)
http://www.luftkissen.de/
Hovercraft Club of Great Britain
http://www.hovercraft.org.uk/
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