We wanted to build something creative so we built a hovercraft. We went onto the Internet and found instructions on “How to Build a Hovercraft”. Both of us got together and re-modified most of the instructions to our liking. We went to work and built it.
A Hovercraft uses fans or propellers to generate streams of air. We used one leaf blower to inflate the flexible skirt on the bottom and another to move us forward. Lift air is contained under the craft by a flexible skirt, enabling the hovercraft to lift clear of the surface. We used some vapor barrier as the flexible skirt. Thrust air is used to move the hovercraft forward. Directing the thrust air with rudders or brake controls changes the hovercraft’s direction.
Our problem was to see if different sizes of air holes in the plastic skirt on the bottom of the hovercraft make a difference in the speed. We measured 26 feet and timed how long it took our hovercraft to go that distance. We started with 1½ inch holes and after three tries we went a half an inch with the holes until we reached 3 inches. With 2 inch holes we averaged 10.98 seconds in 26 feet. The second fastest was 1½ inch holes which went the same distance in an average of 12.17 seconds. The third fastest was the 3 inch holes that averaged 12.25 seconds. The 2 ½ inch holes made the hovercraft go the slowest. It went 26 feet in 12.31 seconds. We found out that the 2 inch holes made the hovercraft go the fastest.
