Wow! That is a great concept. If it was out I would definately get one if it was less than a thousand dollars. I think this is how birds fly over the ocean on a day where there is no wind. Is this called the surface effect principle? Also, I wonder how it takes off.
What is fishy? The design makes sense. Its the surface effect principle.
(Tue, 22 Aug 2006 03:27:06 GMT)
John L.
says
Looks like a blast! Unfortunately, I fear that if these thingswere for sale, they'd be banned immediately, because people would use them like jet ski "toys", i.e., they would become a major nuisance piloted by drunken meatheads who create a hazard to themselves, as well as everyone else on the water. Very cool concept, though..
(Tue, 22 Aug 2006 18:09:21 GMT)
spud
says
first swell you hit you are gonna be thrown out of the thing
(Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:14:45 GMT)
BOOTZILLA
says
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WILL BE UTILIZED TO OPPRESS MAIM AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE BY THE PO-LEESE!
(Wed, 23 Aug 2006 04:06:35 GMT)
joFlip
says
Uala nen ke flipe, culega
(Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:56:42 GMT)
Joaquín
says
es un producto esepcional, fantastico con una exelente apicacion bionica, se veria mejor si a la linea se le incorpora un aire mas futurista atraves de los colores y texturas que se mire incliuso mas extremo.
(Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:15:41 GMT)
Mr. P
says
when you figure out how to make one for less than $5000 I'll be the first one to buy it.
John, I think would be an importand issue. Will you have to be a licenced flyer? Will you be allowed to fly it on every lake?
Spud, the ground effect it makes use of should be able to make it fly up to 2m, however, it would not be able to handle high waves.
Bootzilla, ?
Mr.P, I dont think $5000 is realistic, for instance: the price of a Yamaha waverunner starts at $7500 for the cheapest model. I think in series production the price of the Skimmer would be around $12500.
(Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:46:15 GMT)
EMD
says
Dont know anything about the surface effect principle but sounds good. and for all that are debating the price I think you could re-evaluate and put that thing if it could ever work (i.e. surface principle, cause we already have that aircraft thing down) and put it around 40 to 50 thousand with a R&D budget of lets say 50 million.. tooling alone would be around 10 to 15 million..
(Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:54:22 GMT)
Guru
says
Its a new sea transportation concept but it isn't seem to be safetly. And its form is out of day
(Thu, 31 Aug 2006 20:38:46 GMT)
Ken
says
For more info on this type of flight, you may want to search for "WIG aircraft" aka wing-in-ground-effects aircraft. There are companies that manufacture WIG's, but none like the kancept shown here. I could see it being feasible, but very dangerous. You're talking speed's in excess of 80 knots.
(Sun, 08 Oct 2006 03:26:49 GMT)
Emre Baykal
says
we need some information about its mechanic and using areas
Have you ever seen those racing hydroplanes flip and break apart? The density difference between water and air can be deadly esp. at high speeds. Nick a wave with one of those wings and you are toast. Take a boat out and try to stick your hand in the water at even 35-40mph and you will see what I mean.
(Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:56:38 GMT)
Syllogism
says
actually I've seen of these things in practice on that old show beyond 2000. It was working well. Although I think it would probably be quite dangerous, be hell so is riding a motorbike.
(Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:34:05 GMT)
fswartz
says
Working principle is sound, but control laws might be difficult to set, because of saefty concerns. The wingspan make it difficult to store or transport, it will need folding wings.
I'm more concerned about potential crashes if the plane hits a high wave. Any clipping would cause the plane to change direction, usually straight into the water. What are the weather constraints for this? How robust is it? Would the pilot survive the sudden deceleration?
(Sun, 22 Oct 2006 08:31:40 GMT)
INIT_6
says
I a m going to have one. I kick ass on jet ski's so I bet I would have tons of fun on one of these.
(Mon, 23 Oct 2006 15:32:33 GMT)
Brad Henry
says
Does it use jet propulsion?
Thanks,
<a href="http://www.seolsap.com">Brad</a>
Nice use of a known principle, Roel. I wonder how you are going to solve the problem in the sitting and positioning the rider (pilot)..?
I have checked your website for detailed views. It seems to me the current riding position is not ergonomic for the pilot. His legs are to be set on the top of wings with an awkward angle. This is unlike a motorcycle, or jetski sitting position. The rider might suffer back, and leg aches for prolonged rides.
Thanks for all the comments,
The basic design is known to be very stable, so there is little risk that it will 'flip and break apart'. I agree that it needs foldable/detachable wings for transportation. It makes use of 2 'wankel' engines like the moller sky car. These are not science fiction but are commercially available. The riders position is important, since shifting your bodyweight is the main method of steering and controlling. A active position is needed, but i agree, it needs to be comfortable too.
(Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:47:54 GMT)
Jeremy
says
I assume the toaster uses radiant heat to get the effect. Is it possible to use strongly heated air blown over the bread to toast it instead? The heater would be in the base of the unit and a low volume of very high temperature air would be pumped over the bread. Perhaps the inner glass is perforated to allow even distribution? The temperature must be very high to toast rather than bake.
(Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:55:50 GMT)
Julian
says
Nice idea, I'd by one but there too dangerous to be produced in the numbers needed to bring them down to my price range
Here a site with everything you always wanted to know about WIG Aircraft.
http://www.se-technology.com/wig/index.php
and here a movie that shows that the wing touching the water is not as big a problem as you would think.
http://eleves.supaero.fr/club/wigpage/movie00055.avi
(Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:24:17 GMT)
Rebecca
says
Looks cool. You would have fun on this.
(Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:28:54 GMT)
Ben
says
Just another reason to move to miami.
(Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:44:41 GMT)
Zach
says
I'd buy it if i lived close to any lakes or water.
Wow! That is a great concept. If it was out I would definately get one if it was less than a thousand dollars. I think this is how birds fly over the ocean on a day where there is no wind. Is this called the surface effect principle? Also, I wonder how it takes off.
I want one! Enough said.
send me the link for more info... please!
You can find moro of my work, and about this project here, http://www.coroflot.com/roelverhagen
Roel, I checked your website and I like your motorbike too..its awesome!
Scam artist website, kinda fishy...............................................
What is fishy? The design makes sense. Its the surface effect principle.
Looks like a blast! Unfortunately, I fear that if these thingswere for sale, they'd be banned immediately, because people would use them like jet ski "toys", i.e., they would become a major nuisance piloted by drunken meatheads who create a hazard to themselves, as well as everyone else on the water. Very cool concept, though..
first swell you hit you are gonna be thrown out of the thing
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WILL BE UTILIZED TO OPPRESS MAIM AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE BY THE PO-LEESE!
Uala nen ke flipe, culega
es un producto esepcional, fantastico con una exelente apicacion bionica, se veria mejor si a la linea se le incorpora un aire mas futurista atraves de los colores y texturas que se mire incliuso mas extremo.
when you figure out how to make one for less than $5000 I'll be the first one to buy it.
John, I think would be an importand issue. Will you have to be a licenced flyer? Will you be allowed to fly it on every lake? Spud, the ground effect it makes use of should be able to make it fly up to 2m, however, it would not be able to handle high waves. Bootzilla, ? Mr.P, I dont think $5000 is realistic, for instance: the price of a Yamaha waverunner starts at $7500 for the cheapest model. I think in series production the price of the Skimmer would be around $12500.
Dont know anything about the surface effect principle but sounds good. and for all that are debating the price I think you could re-evaluate and put that thing if it could ever work (i.e. surface principle, cause we already have that aircraft thing down) and put it around 40 to 50 thousand with a R&D budget of lets say 50 million.. tooling alone would be around 10 to 15 million..
Its a new sea transportation concept but it isn't seem to be safetly. And its form is out of day
For more info on this type of flight, you may want to search for "WIG aircraft" aka wing-in-ground-effects aircraft. There are companies that manufacture WIG's, but none like the kancept shown here. I could see it being feasible, but very dangerous. You're talking speed's in excess of 80 knots.
we need some information about its mechanic and using areas
Nice!
Have you ever seen those racing hydroplanes flip and break apart? The density difference between water and air can be deadly esp. at high speeds. Nick a wave with one of those wings and you are toast. Take a boat out and try to stick your hand in the water at even 35-40mph and you will see what I mean.
actually I've seen of these things in practice on that old show beyond 2000. It was working well. Although I think it would probably be quite dangerous, be hell so is riding a motorbike.
Working principle is sound, but control laws might be difficult to set, because of saefty concerns. The wingspan make it difficult to store or transport, it will need folding wings.
I'm more concerned about potential crashes if the plane hits a high wave. Any clipping would cause the plane to change direction, usually straight into the water. What are the weather constraints for this? How robust is it? Would the pilot survive the sudden deceleration?
I a m going to have one. I kick ass on jet ski's so I bet I would have tons of fun on one of these.
Does it use jet propulsion? Thanks, <a href="http://www.seolsap.com">Brad</a>
Nice use of a known principle, Roel. I wonder how you are going to solve the problem in the sitting and positioning the rider (pilot)..? I have checked your website for detailed views. It seems to me the current riding position is not ergonomic for the pilot. His legs are to be set on the top of wings with an awkward angle. This is unlike a motorcycle, or jetski sitting position. The rider might suffer back, and leg aches for prolonged rides.
Thanks for all the comments, The basic design is known to be very stable, so there is little risk that it will 'flip and break apart'. I agree that it needs foldable/detachable wings for transportation. It makes use of 2 'wankel' engines like the moller sky car. These are not science fiction but are commercially available. The riders position is important, since shifting your bodyweight is the main method of steering and controlling. A active position is needed, but i agree, it needs to be comfortable too.
I assume the toaster uses radiant heat to get the effect. Is it possible to use strongly heated air blown over the bread to toast it instead? The heater would be in the base of the unit and a low volume of very high temperature air would be pumped over the bread. Perhaps the inner glass is perforated to allow even distribution? The temperature must be very high to toast rather than bake.
Nice idea, I'd by one but there too dangerous to be produced in the numbers needed to bring them down to my price range
Ground effect landspeeder, put my name on the waiting list.
The Iranians have done something like this apparently: http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/photos/aircraft/iranboatplanecomp460ace.jpg
Needs a cockpit, the pilot would be killed if sitting on top like that.
While cool looking, it looks dangerous. That left wing dipping down...all it needs to do is hit the water and you're done.
Here a site with everything you always wanted to know about WIG Aircraft. http://www.se-technology.com/wig/index.php and here a movie that shows that the wing touching the water is not as big a problem as you would think. http://eleves.supaero.fr/club/wigpage/movie00055.avi
Looks cool. You would have fun on this.
Just another reason to move to miami.
I'd buy it if i lived close to any lakes or water.
Great design till wing dips liquid..BAAAAAWWWWW
one wave and bye bye dave
Hi Roel Verhagen! As to you here this skimmer: http://www.ekranoplan-hit.ru/bike.html http://www.ekranoplan-hit.ru