Hovercraft
I think there might be a follow up story on the "hovercraft" up in Darwin.
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The ABC had a writeup on it a few days ago, great machine to play around with in the Darwin Harbour. Pretty impressive job building it from scratch! Does the owner frequent this site, wouldn’t mind learning more about it, particularly how to build one myself. |
I can already imagine the discussions at CASA, definition of ‘aeroplane’ etc...
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By CAsA definition - it is not an "aircraft" but that alone will not stop CAsA having the discussions.
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Originally Posted by Bend alot
(Post 10447060)
By CAsA definition - it is not an "aircraft" but that alone will not stop CAsA having the discussions.
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Originally Posted by WannaBeBiggles
(Post 10447536)
There used to be an in ground effect hovercraft out Cairns and I think it was only GRMPA that had anything to say.
Or some other silly technicality they might try ping him on! Can not be having fun guys! |
The wing in ground effect craft in Cairns had both marine and aviation registration. Had a dispo for nil transponder. Test pilot was previously aero club instructor. After venture folded, he became a pilot with Jetstar - really nice guy.
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That wasn’t the shuttle to mirage at port douglas was it? |
Originally Posted by Bend alot
(Post 10447060)
By CAsA definition - it is not an "aircraft" but that alone will not stop CAsA having the discussions.
Reminds me of many years ago in UK, after much discussion various "Authorities" agreed that cross Channel hovercraft Masters would have to have an ocen going Master's Certificate AND an ALTP with current IR. It didn't take long to discover that there was no such animal in captivity. Don'tcha just love "Xspert committees". X as in the unknown quantity, and spert as a drip under pressure, and a committee as a mechanism to make certain nobody is responsible for the outcome, if, indeed there is any outcome, never a high priority among the "Princes of Process". Tootle pip!! |
Originally Posted by LeadSled
(Post 10447859)
Bendy,
Reminds me of many years ago in UK, after much discussion various "Authorities" agreed that cross Channel hovercraft Masters would have to have an ocen going Master's Certificate AND an ALTP with current IR. It didn't take long to discover that there was no such animal in captivity. Don'tcha just love "Xspert committees". X as in the unknown quantity, and spert as a drip under pressure, and a committee as a mechanism to make certain nobody is responsible for the outcome, if, indeed there is any outcome, never a high priority among the "Princes of Process". Tootle pip!! Not sure the spelling of his name (GI) - but PC-12 is enough to identify the guy. |
I'm not a pilot, but when the Darwin chap (as portrayed in the ABC newscast) started talking wings, wing spars and then elevators I think to myself "I thought they were talking hovercraft?" PS. I do have a measly 5 minutes in a (genuine) hovercraft.
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4190ba570.jpeg Not really built from scratch. Been around for some time. 19XRW Hoverwing® | Universal Hovercraft |
In the 1970s I had a mate who ran a mechanics business on the Hume Highway in Western Sydney. He was given a hovercraft as a debt payment back when they were still experimental.
He went to DCA, Marine and DMR to find who registered such things and no one wanted to accept responsibility. So being resourceful he "drove" the craft along the highway only to be booked for driving an unregistered vehicle. Responsibility proved?? The local cops spent the next weeks trying to get the ticket back.I bet there were a few hard words in Highway Patrol headquarters over that one. Wunwing |
The CNS WIGE outfit that folded, were they trying to reinvent the wheel...with some Govt money ??
They should have just paid a visit to Russia. Them peskie ruskies have had that sorted for decades. Could probably have got the Caspian Sea Monster at a discount, but probably too big for the PTD run. |
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There was one built in NZ a few years ago, quite a slick machine. In NZ it is not classified as an aircraft so long as it is not flown out of ground effect. No licence or registration required. |
They are not classed as "aircraft" in Australia either - but that does not exclude them from rules that use the word "flight" I expect.
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That wasn’t the shuttle to mirage at port douglas was it? I remember the WIGE (Wing in Ground Effect) "aircraft" undergoing trials in Cairns, thought it was more recent but looks like it was around 2003 or slightly later: https://www.pprune.org/tech-log/5241...ht=WIGE+Cairns Paul Phelan article: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/wing-in-ground-effect-craft-enters-production-160873/ Cairns WIGE: |
There were also Skase’s hovercraft operating between BN and the Gold Coast(Mirage Resort?). IIRC they used to come up Kedron Brook behind the tower and scoot down inshore of Straddy. |
From the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012: 8 Definition of vessel (1) In this Law: vessel means a craft for use, or that is capable of being used, in navigation by water, however propelled or moved, and includes an air‑cushion vehicle, a barge, a lighter, a submersible, a ferry in chains and a wing‑in‑ground effect craft. Here’s what the NT Marine Act 1981 defines “vessel” to mean: Bottom line: Although it’s part fish and part fowl, it’s treated as a fish for regulatory purposes. |
There is no doubt that this type of craft must comply with a Marine Act.
Should a wing‑in‑ground effect craft wish to supply alcohol to customers, they would also need to comply with a Liquor Act. It certainly would not be exempt from any Work Health and Safety Act requirements. I also expect that during "flight" (when not stated in an "aircraft") that the requirements of the Civil Aviation Act, could also apply as applicable. |
Only in Oz.. does a sea or floatplane,..... a registered AIRCRAFT, have to also pay for a speedboat rego.
Ah bureaucrats...money for idle minds. |
Where does CASA define Airplane or Aeroplane? I couldn't find it in the Dictionary buried at the back of the CASRs.
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Originally Posted by compressor stall
(Post 10450056)
Where does CASA define Airplane or Aeroplane? I couldn't find it in the Dictionary buried at the back of the CASRs.
CAsA define a "aircraft" - it specifically excluded craft that fly in ground effect, but do not recall the wording. You will need to keep looking, or someone may post the link. |
A certain seaplane pilot was “ramped” by the Victorian water police and was about to be pinged for a lack of flares. Quick thinking reply was that they were prohibited items under aviation regulations and that Commonwealth law overrides state law. Police gave up. |
Still having a look for the definition of "aircraft" - but here is "aeroplane" from the 1988 REGs.
www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/car1988263/s2.html |
Or this.
"aircraft" means any machine or craft that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth's surface. CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988 - SECT 3 Interpretation |
Thanks - that's actually a neat definition, and would seem to exclude the hovercraft / WIGE vehicles.
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Originally Posted by Wunwing
(Post 10448410)
In the 1970s I had a mate who ran a mechanics business on the Hume Highway in Western Sydney. He was given a hovercraft as a debt payment back when they were still experimental.
He went to DCA, Marine and DMR to find who registered such things and no one wanted to accept responsibility. So being resourceful he "drove" the craft along the highway only to be booked for driving an unregistered vehicle. Responsibility proved?? The local cops spent the next weeks trying to get the ticket back.I bet there were a few hard words in Highway Patrol headquarters over that one. Wunwing We've worked out that a hovercraft doens't come under CAsA, so assuming it's registered under RMS (or whatever they call themselves these days), and you take out Marine third party insurance, what could The Rozzers get you for if you decided you didn't want to tow it to the boat ramp and simply drove it home? :} |
If you drive it on the left of the road you could get pinged for driving on the wrong side of the channel.
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