Amphibious Aeromobile ACV-3

Here are very recent photos of the ACV-3 craft at a recent testing run.

We are starting demonstrations of this craft around June 1st, 2002.

These two photos from mid October, 2001 show the great flexibilty and mobility of the Gimbal Fan.  Such extensive range of motion gives the pilot control in many directions.

1. Specifications

Length

16 feet

Width

8 feet

Height

5 feet

Empty Weight

700 lbs.

Payload

500 lbs.

Gross Weight

1300 lbs.

Total Cushion Lift

1573 lbs.

Peripheral Wing Inflateable Flotation*

3310 lbs.

Body Construction

Marinized Welded Aluminum

Fuel Capacity

20 gallons

Range

150 miles

Cruise Speed on Hump

40 to 50 m.p.h.

Obstacle Clearance

12 inches

Control

Gimbal Fan System of Integrated Lift, Thrust and Steering

Engine

around 60 to 65 h.p., pending final tests

Terrain

Any surface with less than 12 inch obstacles, including water, snow, ice, sand, swamps, mud, tundra, wetlands, etc.

Accomodations

Pilot forward; two passengers in-line.

Enclosure

Standard windshield; optional closed cabin

Ground Transport

Optional tilt bed trailer for winching on, power off or on, flying off, power on or off

Estimated Retail Cost

Approximately $28,000. This is subject to change as we negotiate quantity discounts with our suppliers

Availability

June,  2002

2. Advantages of Aeromobile ACVs

• 100% of the propulsion force is instantaneously available in all 360 degrees by tilting the Gimbal Fan to cause the craft to move in the commanded direction.

• 100% of the slipstream is available for lift if needed to pass the craft over porous, permeable substrates such as brush, large rocks, etc., by keeping the Gimbal Fans shaft vertical.

• The universally directable thrust forces are instantly cancelable, and reversible, and can be metered as needed to control the craft.

• Full forward, lateral, diagonal, backing force, or braking force instantly available to the driver to move the craft any direction.

• The low thrust line of the deck level slipstream from Gimbal Fans minimizes pitch or roll moments, and provides an instant saving force against "plow-in" or overturning

• It is possible to "rock" the craft off a hang-up by alternating the slipstream of the Gimbal Fans back and forth from lift to thrust while maintaining full throttle.

• "Joy Stick" control of the Gimbal Fan tilting, a feather touch is all that is needed to master the speed, position, and yaw angle of the craft.

• With a given gross weight, and known total available thrust forces, in zero wind, the acceleration and braking distances are constant irrespective of the surface conditions.

• Without high vertical surfaces in the stern, as with rudder-in-sliptream ACV’s, there is no vexing weather cocking into the wind, the bane of conventional rudder-in-slipstream ACV’s

• Gimbal Fans are to ACV’s as outboard motors are to boats, adding additional units, or upgrading with more powerful fans can be easily done.

• With the greatest flotation located at the periphery of the craft, the operators can do their work while standing anywhere around the edge of the deck without it submerging. Gimbal Fan Aeromobiles are therefore, more stable when floating, whether for fishing, rescuing victims, doing surveys, or diving, etc. Other ACV’s have their flotation more centralized in the hull and off-cushion are less stable and the deck will submerge when anyone stands on the edge.

• The inflatables increase the distance between the airframe and the ground, over having the skirts mounted on the air frame.

• There is less danger of overturning, or "plow-in" with peripheral flotation, whether on-cushion at high speed, or floating.

• With multiple cells, puncture of any one or more cells will not allow flooding the craft or sinking.

• Wider Aeromobiles can be built for "trailering" down roads by deflating the inflatables to within the legal limit.

• The unique individual skirt segments which take the abrasion of the surface are individually replaceable when damaged.

• Having individual skirt segments, some can be torn in operating, and the neighboring segments will close together to seal the perimeter against lift air loss.

• The typical life of skirt segments in the roughest service exceeds 600 hours.

• Having closed interior and exterior surfaces of the skirt segments prevents snagging of objects and scooping water

• The turgidity of the inflated skirt segments at the periphery, increases the stability of the Aeromobiles

• Having all the lift air emitting at their tips, they become air bearings, making the Aeromobiles frictionless on any surface. Aeromobiles stand on multiple jets of air at the perimeter increasing stability, and mobility.

• Hirth engines are the lightest weight among their peers.

• Hirth engines are used in a wide variety of aircraft, ACV's, helicopters, ATV's, boats, etc.

• The Hirth exhaust system guarantees not only maximum tuning, but minimum noise.

• Hirth is one of the oldest 2 cycle engine manufacturerers with parts and service available all over the world.

• There is excellent cooling and lubrication of these engines.

• Their emmissions are within EPA minimums.

• With electronic fuel injection, they operate in all positions and have no choke, icing, or mixture problems.

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