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Riding on Air—Build a Real Hovercraft

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Abstract

Looking for an exciting new mode of transportation? In this science fair project, you will build a working hovercraft that will glide over surfaces on a cushion of air. And it's simpler to build than you might think!

Summary

Areas of Science
Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
Prerequisites
You will need to work with some power tools, such as an electric saw and an electric drill.
Material Availability
Readily available
Cost
Average ($50 - $100)
Safety
Requires adult supervision. Use safety goggles when using power tools. Please review the Hovercraft Safety Guidelines below the Experimental Procedure.
Credits

David Whyte, PhD, Science Buddies

This project is based on a DragonflyTV episode.

Frisbee® is a registered trademark of the Wham-O toy company.

Objective

The objective of this science fair project is to build a hovercraft on which you can glide over a flat surface.

Introduction

A hovercraft is a type of vehicle that rides on air that is under pressure. A flexible curtain, called a skirt, is attached to the outer perimeter of the craft to contain the air beneath it. The diagram in Figure 1 shows some of the key parts of a commercial hovercraft. The propellers force air toward the back of the craft, creating a forward thrust. The fans direct the air that is under pressure into the chamber beneath the craft. This air cushion lifts the hovercraft up, creating a small gap between the craft and the ground, for air to escape.

The goals of this project are 1) to build a hovercraft on which you can glide over a flat surface, and 2) to test what features affect the performance of the hovercraft. There are a number of variables that you will need to consider:

Terms and Concepts

Before you build your hovercraft, make sure you know what the following terms mean. Have an adult help you search the Internet or take you to your local library to find out more.

Questions

Bibliography

  • This science project is based on this DragonflyTV episode:
    TPT. (2007). Hovercraft by Rachel and Sara. DragonflyTV, Twin Cities Public Television. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  • Woodford, Chris. (2023, February 2). Hovercraft. ExplainThatStuff! Retrieved February 10, 2023.

Materials and Equipment

Here are the materials you will need to make the hovercraft.

Experimental Procedure

  1. To start this project, you should assemble all of the materials in a suitable work space, like your garage or workshop.
  2. Make the wood disk.
    1. If you did not obtain a pre-cut 48-inch round disk, make the base by cutting a 48-inch circle from your piece of plywood with a jig saw or spiral saw. Be sure to wear your safety goggles.
    2. If your disk does not have smooth edges, be sure to use an electric sander or duct tape to smooth out the edges or they will cut the skirt you'll be attaching to it.
  3. Make a hole in the plywood that fits the end of your leaf blower, as shown in Figure 3.
    1. Trace the outline for the hole with your pencil, using the leaf blower outlet as a guide. Position the hole halfway between the center of the disk and the edge.
    2. Drill a small hole on the perimeter of the traced circle with a drill bit, and then cut out the hole using the jig saw or the spiral saw.
    3. The end of the hose should be flush with the bottom surface of the plywood.

    Components needed to build a hovercraftImage Credit: David Whyte, Science Buddies / Science Buddies
    Figure 3. Shown here are the hovercraft components: leaf blower, wood base, plastic sheet, plastic disk, small wood screws.

  4. Attach the plastic skirt.
    1. Use scissors to cut the plastic into a circle with a diameter of about 6 feet.
    2. Place the plywood disk over the plastic sheet.
    3. Fold the edges of the plastic sheet up over the plywood, and then staple it to the top of the plywood disk.
    4. Leave enough slack for the skirt to inflate!
    5. Space the staples out so that there is one about every 4 inches.
  5. Though the staples are holding the plastic in place, you need to create a tight seal around the edge of the plastic with duct tape.
  6. Attach the disk.
    1. Flip the plywood over so that the plastic sheet is facing up.
    2. The plastic disk should be attached over the plastic sheet.
    3. Attach the plastic disk to the center of the plastic sheet and the plywood of the hovercraft by using the four small wood screws.
    4. If the disk is not secure enough with the wood screws, drill a hole through the plastic disk and the plywood base and attach the disk with a 1-inch carriage bolt and nut, with washers on both sides.

    Bottom view of a digitally assembled hovercraftImage Credit: David Whyte, Science Buddies / Science Buddies
    Figure 4. This image shows the bottom of the assembled hovercraft, with the skirt inflated. The plastic disk is attached to the middle of the base, over the skirt. Note the position of the six air vent holes.

  7. Cut the air vent holes, as shown in Figure 4.
    1. Use a permanent marker and a ruler to draw six circles around the plastic disk. Each hole should be about 2 inches in diameter. Then use your razor knife to cut six vent holes in the plastic.
    2. Position the holes within a few inches of the plastic disk. If they are too far from the center, they may be blocked by the ground, preventing air from escaping.
    3. To prevent the material between the vent holes from ripping, you can use duct tape to reinforce the holes.
  8. Flip the hovercraft over so the plastic sheet is now on the bottom.
  9. Place the leaf blower into the hole that was cut for it on the top of the hovercraft and turn it on. You may need to lift the plywood off the ground slightly to let the air flow into the plastic skirt.
    1. Seal the hole around the blower with duct tape if too much air is escaping.

    Top view of hovercraft with a blower attachedImage Credit: David Whyte, Science Buddies / Science Buddies
    Figure 5. The top of the hovercraft, with the blower.

  10. To test the hovercraft, place it on a smooth, flat surface, in an area with surrounding walls or fencing.
  11. The hovercraft will lift up and start gliding around.
  12. Have an adult help you as you maneuver the hovercraft. Carefully sit on the hovercraft. When you are safely on, turn the leaf blower on.
  13. Test out your hovercraft's speed and maneuverability.
  14. Keep careful notes of your assembly procedures, any modifications you add, and the performance of the hovercraft. Remember, if you don't write it down, it's like you didn't do it!
  15. To stop in an emergency, pull the blower hose out of the hole.

Important Hovercraft Safety Guidelines:

  • Use caution when working with power tools.
  • Use caution when using the razor knife.
  • Don't let small children play alone with the hovercraft.
  • Operate the hovercraft in an enclosed area, such as a classroom or fenced-in area outside, so that it does not get out of control.
  • Climb aboard BEFORE turning on the leaf blower.
  • If using an electric leaf blower, be careful maneuvering around and pay attention to the length of the cord.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes to prevent injuries to your feet.
  • Wear ear protection if you are operating the leaf blower for long periods of time.
  • Wear eye protection to avoid dust or other small particles that might get blown into your eyes by the forced air.
  • Don't jump off of the hovercraft while it's moving.
  • If using an electric leaf blower, have an adult remain near the wall outlet. If the hovercraft moves too fast, have the adult pull the power plug out of the wall to stop the hovercraft. Do this only in emergencies, since the passenger might fly off when the hovercraft suddenly stops.
  • Do not operate the hovercraft over water or on rough surfaces.
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Global Connections

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Variations

The basic hovercraft you built can be modified to provide more control, and to test other designs. For each of these variations, ask yourself "How will this change in design affect the performance of the hovercraft?". Write your predictions down, along with a brief justification for each one. Compare your predictions to what actually happened.

  • Try different types of materials for the skirt.
  • Try making the air cushion bigger or smaller by changing the size of the skirt.
  • Try changing the size, position or number of vent holes.
  • Add braking and steering systems.
  • Add a means of providing forward thrust (using a second leaf blower, for example).
  • Try different-sized bases for carrying larger loads.
  • Try to measure the air pressure under the hovercraft.
  • Compare the hovercraft's performance over different surfaces.
  • For a more basic hovercraft project, see this Science Buddies project idea How Does a Hovercraft Work?

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Riding on Air—Build a Real Hovercraft." Science Buddies, 11 May 2023, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p036/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/build-and-ride-a-hovercraft?class=AQWFpojH7ZfLRZCumfgWK3cTcU54jkwl-IBz5JIMsb0xBtizOgw4PMFaMqa5Dbwa2WzecBB4cj7sK16139i6f84ep7XSlTnp0Fj8exgZFzoTKQ. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2023, May 11). Riding on Air—Build a Real Hovercraft. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p036/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/build-and-ride-a-hovercraft?class=AQWFpojH7ZfLRZCumfgWK3cTcU54jkwl-IBz5JIMsb0xBtizOgw4PMFaMqa5Dbwa2WzecBB4cj7sK16139i6f84ep7XSlTnp0Fj8exgZFzoTKQ


Last edit date: 2023-05-11

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