It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s A… Hovercraft?!
With all this talk of ground-effect craft on WU recently, perhaps you feel like owning one, and not just a rusting cold-war relic either. Well now you can as self-taught New Zealand mechanic Rudy Heeman has decided to sell the pride and joy it took him 10 years to build, a flying hovercraft.
At low speeds the vehicle behaves much as any hovercraft would, covering most surfaces with the usual ease, but over 70 km/h the craft's detachable lightweight wings kick in and it takes to the air. But despite being surprisingly nimble in flight, Heeman's invention, called the "WIG", doesn't require a pilot's license to fly (in New Zealand at least) since like all hovercraft it is classed as a marine vehicle. Video in the link (Sky News).
At low speeds the vehicle behaves much as any hovercraft would, covering most surfaces with the usual ease, but over 70 km/h the craft's detachable lightweight wings kick in and it takes to the air. But despite being surprisingly nimble in flight, Heeman's invention, called the "WIG", doesn't require a pilot's license to fly (in New Zealand at least) since like all hovercraft it is classed as a marine vehicle. Video in the link (Sky News).
Comments
Self-taught aircraft designer sells homemade plane with detachable wings. It just advertises itself, doesn't it? :blank:
Posted by Dumbfounded on 03/15/10 at 10:41 AM
I wouldn't have sold it.
Posted by Remm on 03/15/10 at 11:33 AM
He needs the money for his next project, a vertical take-off capable back-hoe. 😊
Posted by Dumbfounded on 03/15/10 at 11:38 AM
cool vehicle, but crash and it's gonna HURT! it doesn't look like there's any protection for the person inside.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/15/10 at 11:43 AM
I dunno, with no ailerons, it'll corner like a dog on lino. And, like patty says, it'll leave a mark. Airborne at 40+mph. Look out for that tree!
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 03/15/10 at 05:56 PM
YOU TOOK PICTURES! 🐛
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/15/10 at 09:37 PM
looking good patty!
I'd want one of these, if for no other reason than to avoid traffic jams on the daily commute.
I'd want one of these, if for no other reason than to avoid traffic jams on the daily commute.
Posted by Nethie on 03/15/10 at 09:45 PM
thanks nethie. hey that's a great idea too! just fly over them all.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/15/10 at 09:51 PM
well that limits commuting to waterways then.(i always think of you when i see new zealanders in the news sweetie.)
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 05/11/10 at 11:47 PM
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Category: Flight | Inventions | Motor Vehicles