28 April 2006

Physics students debut Hovercraft

From left: Scott Miller, Chris Hobeck, Kyle Brocke, and Liam Trant

A new mode of transportation has been seen zipping around the campus of Longwood University recently.  A Hovercraft made its debut in early April and some may be wondering “Hey, what is that thing?”

A Hovercraft is a vehicle used in low-level flight over land or water.  The Longwood model, constructed entirely by physics students, has been tested only on land but could be used on water.  Eight students in Physics 496 worked on the project over three semesters.  During the 2005-06 academic year, Liam Trant, Chris Hobeck, Scott Miller, and Kyle Brocke completed the work begun by Jennifer Eckrote, Adam Torborg, Daniel Harris, and Connor Howe during the spring 2005 semester.  Dr. Michelle Parry, associate professor of physics and interim chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, supervised the independent research project which fulfilled the goal 15 requirement for an internship, guided field experience, or directed research project for physics majors.

"The goal of this project was to give the students some hands-on experience.  Students tend to do ‘canned’ laboratory experiments in their courses, where they follow a set of specific instructions and the results typically work. This project gave the students an opportunity to see what happens when things don't work the first time around,” said Dr. Parry.

“This is not your typical research project,” said Hobeck.  The students agreed that problem solving skills, communication, and teamwork were key to the success of the project.

To get the project “off the ground,” the students selected a kit that provided the basic materials for the Hovercraft model they chose to construct.   “The kit we purchased was very basic and contained only the parts and minimal instructions.  The students constructed this entirely on their own and have done a remarkable job in making it work,” said Dr. Parry.  

Powered by two gasoline engines – a lift engine and a thrust engine --
the vehicle hovers approximately four inches above the ground as a result of air from the lift engine inflating a large plastic balloon-type skirt around the base of the vehicle.  Energy from the thrust engine, mounted on the rear of the Hovercraft, propels the vehicle forward. Steering is accomplished through the use of rudders and is dependent on the thrust motor.  Throttles on both engines regulate the speed of the vehicle.

“One of the most challenging parts of the project was getting the lift duct and the engine component to work together properly,” said Hobeck.

Measuring approximately five feet wide and eleven feet long, the Hovercraft has attracted a lot of attention during its travels around campus to various test sites.  “Most students want to ride on it,” said Trant.

“Completing this project was definitely a team effort.  We put our ideas and experience together to make it work,” said Brocke.