Hoverflyer 580 technical specification and description

Description

The high quality build and spirited performance of the HoverFlyer 580 place it top of the class in this size range. Originating from the H560, first built in 1989, the HoverFlyer 580 has been continuously improved in styling, payload and performance.

The HoverFlyer series have worked for many thousands of hours in many diverse areas and extreme
climates and have been applied to many varied tasks such as flood rescue, beach patrol, seismic surveying, aquaculture, fishing, aquatic-weed spraying, gold prospecting, flood bound-stock feeding, oil rig support, dive tender, commercial water taxi and pleasure craft to mention a few.

Technical Details

Unique Features

• Designed and built to international survey standards without compromise.
• Tough and Durable well proven design for long life in adverse working conditions.
• Low fuel consumption.
• Exceptional payload capacity.
• Very stable while floating. High free-board for safety.
• High obstacle clearance with the pressurised bag and finger skirt combination.
• Simple and effective mechanical equipment, easy maintenance.
• Easy transport on quick launch.
• Training available and crew learn easily.

Hull and Superstructure

The hull is moulded from fibre reinforced resin and PVC foam sandwich vacuum formed into female moulds. Bi-axial fibreglass reinforcements are used in the plastic skins. This method of construction is lightweight while retaining excellent strength and stiffness. Thermal and sound isolation properties are excellent for this construction system. All laminating is conducted with active quality control procedures to ensure the highest quality. The hull construction complies with or exceeds the Australian U.S.L., and Canada Transport TP5579. The hull is built in two parts and bonded together with sealed buoyancy compartments for maximum safety. Seat bases are moulded directly into the hull and provide dry storage spaces underneath. A toughened glass windshield is fitted around the front of the cockpit.

Thrust Engine

The thrust engine is a Subaru model EJ25 liquid cooled four cylinder petrol engine of 2500cc, horizontally opposed four stroke with overhead camshafts, fuel injection, electric starting; stainless steel with ceramic coating exhaust system; remote air filter assembly. Cruising engine speed is between 3200 to 4000 rpm (55% to 70% of maximum power). This engine is rated at 120kW (160hp) at 5600. The performance is very spirited at this rating. The engine is mounted directly to the transmission housing thereby assuring correct alignment with the other transmission components.

The engine coolant circulates through a radiator mounted to the starboard side of the thrust ducting. Air for cooling the radiator is drawn in from the outer side of the thrust ducting and discharged into the negative pressure area in front of the propeller. When the engine is idling and the propeller is not turning the air is assisted to move by a thermostatically controlled electric fan. An oil to water heat exchanger fitted underneath the oil filter provides additional cooling. This ensures lowered oil temperatures for increased engine life.

The Subaru EJ25 engines are imported from Japan and then re-manufactured for hovercraft application and tuning specifications. When the engines are fitted into the hovercraft they are fully warranted. Sensors are fitted to detect oil pressure and water temperature and are connected to a flashing light on the dashboard.

A more economical Subaru EJ22 engine is optionally available. Power is 90kW and performance slightly less but still more than adequate.

Propulsion Transmission System

An automatic clutch is fitted directly to the rear of the engine. The clutch automatically dis-engages the engine at idle speed to allow the propeller to stop. This provides added safety for by-standers and also reduces shock loading on the transmission during engine starting and stopping. The clutch drum is mounted directly to a toothed pulley, which drives a toothed belt. The propeller shaft is firmly supported on two selfaligning sealed ball bearing units within the fabricated aluminium transmission housing. The complete engine and transmission assembly is unitised and mounted to the hull via rubber vibration isolators for smooth and quiet operation.

Propeller

The propeller is to the ‘Scharnhorst’ design, especially developed for the HoverFlyer 580. The 5-blade
propeller is bolted directly to the rear of the propeller shaft and is easily removable for periodic maintenance.

The propeller blades are precision moulded from Carbon-Fibre and Epoxy resin and are post-cured at high temperature to obtain consistent high tensile strength. A polyurethane leading edge is cast onto the blade for erosion protection. The standard propeller hubs provide round adjustable pitch of the blades to suit different operating altitudes and temperatures for each operating location. An in-flight pitch adjustable and reversible propeller is available for ultimate control. A stainless steel wire propeller safety guard is mounted to the ducting.

Lift System

Briggs & Stratton 15kW (20 H.P.) air cooled twin-cylinder with electric starting; internal oil reservoir; gear driven oil circulation pump; replaceable external oil filter cartridge; stainless steel exhaust system. Normal running speed is 2900 to 3400 R.P.M.

Air is drawn in through the vents in the bonnet and expelled directly downwards into the skirt bag. The bonnet provides safety protection, sound absorption and an attractive appearance. The lift fan is a single stage, vertical downwards, axial flow type, mounted directly to the engine crankshaft.

Controls

The controls are simple and easily managed. A hydraulic helm pump and hand-wheel is connected to the rudders for steering. The thrust engine is controlled by both a foot throttle pedal and a dash mounted vernier control according to the choice of the operator. The lift engine is controlled by a dash mounted vernier control.

Skirt

The skirt is a fully pressurised tapered bag and finger system. The bag pressure is higher than the cushion pressure and is regulated by control orifices in the bag inner membrane. The bag is CNC cut from Urethane coated Nylon and R.F. welded. The fingers are from Urethane coated Nylon and are bolted on with Nylon fasteners and are easily changed without lifting the craft. This provides the most stable and dynamically efficient skirt system available.

Electrical System

System voltage is nominally 12 volts DC. The battery has an isolator according to international survey class standards. Battery charging is from a 14V 35A alternator mounted to the thrust engine. A dual battery installation is optionally available.

All electrical cable is tinned copper multi-strand wire with V95 deg C PVC insulation. Exposed terminations are additionally protected with shrink-wrapped sleeves. Exposed cable runs are protected in conduits.

Circuits are clearly marked and a circuit diagram is included in the operating manual for easy identification.

Lighting

All navigation lights are of ‘Aquasignal’ series 20 type and comply with international navigation
recommendations. In addition a flashing beacon is mounted atop the thrust duct according to the CAA – BHSR requirements for hovercraft.

Instruments

All instruments are of the marine type and sealed to enable washing down.

Fire Safety

The engine room ‘hot zone’ is fitted with a fixed Dry-Powder smothering system that can be activated from outside the engine room according to international survey class standards. An additional portable Dry-Powder extinguisher is located in a cockpit locker. The engine room is protected in hot areas by stainless steel heat shields. The stainless steel exhaust system is ceramic coated to reduce heat radiation and increase safety. All fuel piping apart from short flexible elements near the engine is of copper pipe and an automatic safety shut off system is controlled from the cockpit. The engine air intake is fire protected.

Fuel System

There are two fuel tanks, each of 42 litres capacity. The fuel tanks are constructed of welded aluminium and pressure tested according to international survey class rules. Fuel piping is copper in fixed areas and stainless braided hose for flexible elements. An electric fuel pump, non-return valve, electric safety shut-off valve and contents gauge sender is fitted into each fuel tank. The fuel supply may be selected from the control position for ‘port’, ‘starboard’ or ‘both’ supply. The fuel tank compartment is sealed from all other spaces, pressure ventilated and lined with a fire retardant coating.

Optional Accessories

• In-flight adjustable pitch and reversible pitching propeller (IFA Prop).
• Comprehensive electronic navigation and communications packages.
• Storage cover, short version clips around duct and top of windscreen.
• Storage cover, complete version, covers complete deck to top of skirt.
• Road trailer, aluminium tilt deck for quick launch and recovery.
• Reinforced floor and tie downs for freight or special equipment.
• Electronic fume detector.
• Safety bar.
• Spotlights.
• Transportable lifting gantry.
• Australian USL Survey documentation.
• Operator training.

The above specifications pertaining to performance are based on a properly trimmed and maintained craft with a competent operator. These specifications are subject to change as improvements are made and should be used as a guide only, more complete and exact specifications are issued for contractual purposes once customer’s requirements are fully known.