The design is similar to, and intended to replace the highly
successful 'Pioneer'
and 'Ranger' designs created
and built under the supervision of our manager from as early as 1979.
Improvements
include more cabin volume, easier passenger access, larger
propellers
(quieter), more power, protected cooling system, twin lift fans and
easier
maintenance procedures.
The '1160P' was designed to fill a requirement for a fast passenger
carrying hovercraft in the 25 to 29 passenger size range with more
comfort,
style and performance than any competitor can offer. The design is
based
upon the well-proven ‘890P’ standard version and has proven
outstandingly
successful. Emphasis has been placed on the commercial requirements of
operators such as good payload, good all year weather capability,
economical
to operate and maintain, durable and simple construction and above all,
good economical viability for its owner. The basic design is capable of
conversion to other applications such as freighter, seismic survey,
well
deck with front ramp, convertible cabin, field ambulance, military
patrol
etc.
Principal Dimensions
Dimension
Operating
Floating off cushion
Transport
Length in mm / inch
12250 / 482,30
11600 / 456,69
11600 / 456,69
Width in mm / inch
6030 / 237,4
4800 / 188,97
4800 / 188,97
Height (Cab top) in mm /inch
3340 /On cushion/ 131,49
2440 /above W.L./ 96,06
2790 /On pads/ 109,84
Draft in mm /inch
250 / 9,84
N/A
N/A
Feel free to take a closer look at the following overview of this craft
in this short clip -
Technical Details
Cabin width (@ floor & seat height)
2700mm
Cabin length (@ seat height)
6000mm
Cushion height
753mm at bow. 645mm at stern
Wave height clearance
1600mm at a pitch of >15 metres
Maximum recommended speed
55 knots
Cruising speed
25 to 38 knots
Planing speed
8 to 12 knots (load dependent)
Max. full load windspeed
25 knots gusting to 30 knots
Max. light load windspeed
30 knots gusting to 35 knots
Crew
1 or 2 depending upon route requierments
Accommodation
25 passengers, low density 100 kg each
Accommodation
29 passengers, high density 85kg each
Climate control Cabin air-conditioning and heating
optional
Payload
3000kg (includes additional fuel + passengers +
freight) May be overloaded
with reduction in performance.
Engine
Deutz BF6M-1015C (330 kW @ 1900rpm)
Fuel consumption
29kg/hr at 150kw (low cruise)
53kg/hr at 260 kW (high cruise)
69 kg/hr at 330 kW
(max) Fuel capacity
(at 0.884 kg/litre) 220 kg standard
480 kg available with reduced payload.
Surface contact pressure
<1.6 kN/m2
Hull construction
GRP ( & Kevlar ) over PVC foam sandwich
Skirt construction
Neoprene coated Nylon fabric, main part vulcanised,
field serviceable
parts fastened with nylon bolts
Skirt type
Pressurised tapered bag and fingers
Lift fans
2 - double entry centrifugal fans mounted under the
deck. Hydrostatic
motors direct drive.
Lift fan transmission
Hydrostatic variable displacement pump mounted directly
to eng. crankshaft,
fixed displacement bent axis hydrostatic motors mounted directly to fan
shafts. Control is driver adjustable and automatic. Good cooling &
filtration (3um) and conservative pressure & speed ratings ensure
excellent
durability.
Thrust system
Two ducted low speed propellers, toothed belt
mechanical drive with
clutch. All items easily obtainable and replaceable.
Control system
Dynamic pitch, roll and yaw control surfaces,
hydraulically power assisted
and linked to ergonomic hand control (patent pending) by sealed cables.
Hull and Superstructure
The hull, deck and superstructure are a vacuum-formed laminated
sandwich
composite of PVC foam skinned with fibreglass and Kevlar reinforced
resin.
It has been proven to have superior stiffness, toughness and the best
strength
to weight ratio with very low maintenance requirements. In the event of
damage it is also easily repaired. Thermal and sound isolation
properties
are also high 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.
requirements.
Exterior finish is provided with a high gloss two-part linear
polyurethane
marine paint to customer specified colour.
Engine
The ‘1160 P’ is powered by the new technology Deutz BF6M-1015C diesel
engine of V6 configuration, turbo-charged and inter-cooled. This is a
very
smooth running engine which has been engineered by to exceed the
requirements
of the tough upcoming new European environmental standards and to
provide
excellent fuel economy in an engine which has a very good power to
weight
ratio. The 11.906 litre engine is conservatively rated at 330kW at 1900
rpm. With good maintenance this conservative rating can be expected to
return the owner a life of more than 15,000 hours between major
overhauls.
Propulsion System
Propulsion is provided by two propellers mounted at the rear of the
hovercraft and operating within aerodynamic fibreglass ducts. The
propellers
are of the wide blade slow speed type for minimum noise generation.
Normally
fixed pitch propellers are used, however both adjustable pitch and
variable
pitch types are available if required. Propellers are of our own
manufacture
in either laminated timber or carbon/epoxy composite as required and
are
therefore economically available and repairable.
Lift Fans
The double entry centrifugal lift fans draw air from deck level and
discharge it down into the skirt bag. The fans are designed and built
for
the ‘1160 P’ to ensure efficient and proper matching of the fan
characteristics
with the air cushion requirements. These fans run at slow speed and are
very quiet in operation.
Lift Fan Transmission
The fans are directly coupled to hydraulic motors. A variable
displacement
pump mounted on the engine supplies hydraulic oil to the motors.
An adjustable controller senses the lift fan speed and automatically
adjusts
the hydraulic pump output to compensate for variable fan load and
variable
engine speed thereby maintaining the fans at a pre-set constant speed.
This system allows the operator to use more or less power for thrust as
required without concern for over or under supply of lift air as
dictated
by constant ratio mechanical drives. The hovercraft is therefore both
easier
to drive and more efficient.
The hydraulic system parts are selected from world wide manufacturers’
standard inventory. Any local competent hydraulic serviceman can
provide
Service for this equipment. All fluids are S.A.E. specified and
commonly
available.
Controls
The main controls consist of:
Ergonomic hand control unit that controls rudders and independent
elevators
in one unit. New operators adapt easily to this unique system.
The
engine throttle lever mounted beside the operator’s seat. An auxiliary
engine foot throttle for quick response when manoeuvring in tight
locations.
Lift system hydraulic controller mounted on throttle hand lever.
Ballast
trim system for use when running the hovercraft light.
Auxiliary systems controls are mounted within easy reach of the
operator’s
seated position, including fuel selection, screen wipe and wash, fire
control,
indicators and warnings, communications and navigation aids.
Skirt
The skirt system is a fully pressurised tapered bag and segment type
and provides the maximum hardstructure clearance, superior stability
and
rough weather performance. The bag is divided into sections which are
bolted
together to minimise cost and maintenance effort when damage or wear
requires
replacement or repair. The skirt fingers are independently bolted to
the
bag for easy servicing. The skirt bag is inflated to a higher pressure
than the main cushion thereby allowing the correct distribution of air
from the bag to the cushion and enhancing the high speed operation of
the
‘1160 P’ in rough water conditions.
Electrical System
System voltage is 24 volts DC. Power is generated by a single 28 volt
55 amp alternator is mounted on the front of the engine. Circuits are
protected
by re-settable circuit breakers rated to US mil specs. Electrical cable
is tinned copper with 105oC rated insulation and routed within conduits
and fully sealed where appropriate.
Two sets of starting batteries and one emergency services battery are
connected to the electrical system via double pole isolating switches
which
enable selection of either starting battery or isolation of the
emergency
battery as required.
Windscreen wipers with pantograph arms are provided for the front
windscreens.
A water reservoir with pump provides ample screen washing to each
wiper.
The navigation lights comply with the requirements of the Australian
U.S.L. code and IMO recommendations. Ample provision is made for
accommodating
communication and navigation aids. Other system voltages are available
to special order.
Fire Detection & Suppression
The engine room and electrical cabinet are protected by a F.E.A.S.
fire detection and smothering system with a warning and selectable
auto/manual
controls mounted at the control position. The cabin is equipped with
portable
fire extinguishers. Additionally the internal surfaces of fire
zones
are treated with fire retardant finishes. Provision is made in these
zones
for ventilation isolation.
Communications and Navigation
The communications radio is normally an VHF marine type. Other radios
may be fitted as well as a mobile telephone and an internal P.A. system
if required. Compact marine radar and GPS systems may be fitted
according
to the customer's specifications, provided it is compatible with the
craft's
electrical system. A 100mm-card compass is fitted to the dash top.
Elevators and Rudders
Elevators for pitch and roll control are mounted directly behind the
ducted propeller units. Each elevator is independently controlled and
may
be used to compensate for gusting winds, moving loads or in
anticipation
of waves or obstacles. Co-ordinated movement of both the elevators and
the rudders greatly enhances dynamic stability and manoeuvrability.
This
system interacts with the higher than normal skirt clearance to provide
the ‘1160 P’ with the ability to operate in adverse weather conditions
exceeding the capability of any other similar sized hovercraft. The
additional
control available enhances operation in tight and confined areas.
Rudders and elevators are hydraulically power assisted to reduce
operator
fatigue.
The following clip shows you the Pioneer MK2 craft in tourist service: