WHY ARE AIRLIFT HOVERCRAFTS SUPERIOR?

Our state of the art hovercrafts posses several unique features, not found in any other products, including those which are more expensive. Every AirLift Hovercraft design gives owners and operators a range of benefits, including:

• Twin propellers with dynamic pitch and roll control elevators fitted behind the thrust ducts. The use of these and the method of controlling them is unique to AirLift Hovercraft.
• Fast acting and independently controlled elevators which provide the operator with an ability to anticipate obstacles such as waves and to dampen the hovercraft reaction to those obstacles = a smoother ride and greater obstacle clearance ability.
• The AirLift Hovercraft controls also allow the operator to counter sudden dynamic loadings such as wind gusts or internal load shifts = safer operation with full control in windy and rough conditions, or when crew are moving about.
• Additionally, this operational security even in rougher weather conditions means less influence by incremental weather on planning and commercial operation = less down time and less profit loss.
• More controllability = able to be operated in tighter spaces than hovercraft without pitch and roll control. The optional reversible pitch propellers further enhance this capability.
• Hydrostatic transmission between engine and lift fans provide variable drive ratio and pre-set automatic speed control of the lift fans, while the main engine varies in speed according to operational requirements. This feature was pioneered by AirLift Hovercraft and is unique to our designs.
• Variable power share between lift and thrust without having to resort to expensive controllable pitch propellers = the operator can set the lift system for economy or performance according to the surface conditions with little regard for the thrust requirements.
• The hovercraft can be hovered with the engine at a fast idle and without the propellers even turning = safety and convenience of handling at the depot or when required to hover alongside anything where personnel are working on deck.
• Fully pressurised bag and finger skirt system providing higher lift and greater stability = ability to operate at higher speed, in rougher conditions and to clear higher obstacles, compared to a lower and less stable open loop and finger skirt system.
• Simple skirt maintenance with no wires or skirt shifting systems to snag debris or maintain. The superiority of the fully pressurised bag when combined with the controllability of the fast and independently acting elevators provides excellent overall control of the hovercraft, without high maintenance and a fiddly skirt-shifting mechanism.
• Finally, a composite hull construction with inherent high strength and stiffness to weight ratio = a superior overall design and product, with…
• Best durability
• Lightest weight
• Best structural efficiency suitable for marine environment
• Best payloads to overall weight ratio
• Most economical operation
• Least maintenance
• No corrosion
• Cleanest internal structure
• Maximum un-cluttered internal space
• Easy to clean
• Best energy absorbing (lowest impact damage).
• Easily repaired
• Sound absorbing
• Thermally isolating
• Freeform styling and aesthetics for commercial appeal

HOVERCRAFT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Airlift Hovercrafts have a low impact on the environment: Damage to the shore environment is virtually nil and accidental fluid discharges or leaks are fully contained within the hull structure. All Airlift Hovercraft are fully amphibious and their movement across water and land creates less impact than conventional vehicles ... FIND OUT MORE

Why Are Airlift's Hovercrafts Superior?...