How Do RC Hovercrafts Work?
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Hovercraft Overview
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A hovercraft is a simple aircraft that glides on a cushion of air. Air is blown under the craft by a motor that points down toward the ground. The air is held under the craft with a fabric skirt. The skirt is made of a durable fabric since it comes in contact with objects it passes. Forward propulsion and steering are accomplished by a second motor and fins at the rear of the craft. The simplest hovercraft uses two electric motors. Radio-controlled hovercraft are no different from their full-sized cousins.
Specifics of R/C Hovercraft
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The deck of the hovercraft is the most important part of the craft. It holds both motors and the skirt. The skirt size varies based on the size of the craft. Larger craft need a larger cushion of air to support them. Care must also be taken in balancing the hovercraft; the pressure created by the cushion of air must be even across the entire deck. Use the motor batteries to help adjust the balance.
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R/C hovercraft require only a two-channel radio control setup. The left-hand stick controls the throttle, the right-hand stick handles the rudder. Since the first motor is providing the cushion of air and that air is always needed, the motor is wired to an on/off switch only and does not need to be throttled. The rear motor is wired to an electronic speed control that acts as the throttle. It's best to have separate battery packs for each motor.
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The tail fins are operated by the rudder servo. The fins direct the stream of air left or right and turn the hovercraft accordingly. The fins have pivot points on the top and bottom and move freely. The fins also must be connected to each other so they move in unison; this helps to simplify the R/C connections.
Having Fun With Your R/C Hovercraft
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As with any R/C craft, you must range-check your radio; it's best to have a helper when doing this. Radio signals are used to send commands to the receiver; if the signal is weak or there is interference in the area, you might lose your model. Follow these steps to perform the range check: Turn on your transmitter, then the receiver, and walk about 100 feet away. Move the sticks with the antenna down; the throttle and rudders should work without any twitching. Your helper can verify that everything is working as expected. Do not use your R/C hovercraft if the signal is weak.
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Keep in mind that hovercrafts take a long time to turn and will coast a long way even if the propulsion motor is stopped. With a little practice you should be able to glide your hovercraft over grass, pavement and water.
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