Studing WIG (Wing In Ground Effect)

[machg]

Originally Posted by kach22i

1. Somes dirigibles use vectored thrust ducted fans.

2. Dirigibles are most vulnerable when near the ground such as when mooring. Sudden gusts of wind acting upon the large surface area acts like a sail.

In my opinion, you have two ideas which don't mix well.

Many WIG accidents happen because of wind gusts at low altitude.

The general "want" to obtain low speed hovering ability for perhaps safety may seem like a good one. However is there a need?

Will this move people or freight more cost effectively?

Will this make landing in adverse conditions or on off-field surfaces any better, and how or why so?

I see the addition of "negative ballast" of Helium more as a means of increasing the efficiency of a WIG vessel, as the most energy consuming part of takeoff in a WIG is breaking clear of the water. If you can reduce the amount hull in the water, you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to break it free from the water. When I said "hovering" in this context, I was think more of being relatively weightless rather than floating inches above the ground. I see any WIG design as being more efficient by having Helium added to reduce weight, thereby reducing the amount of lift needed to achieve "flight" (for want of a better word) a reduction in the amount of lift required equals a reduction in the amount of energy required to achieve "flight". I feel this would make landing safer by allowing much slower ground (water) speeds on landing; a principle followed by conventional aircraft when they use a headwind to land.

[kach22i]

From what you have said, you may also want to consider an air cushion landing system, also known as a hovercraft-WIG combination.

[Gannet]

I agree with you I also find WIGs a fantastic concept.

Originally Posted by machg
When I said "hovering" in this context, I was think more of being relatively weightless rather than floating inches above the ground. I see any WIG design as being more efficient by having Helium added to reduce weight, thereby reducing the amount of lift needed to achieve "flight" (for want of a better word) a reduction in the amount of lift required equals a reduction in the amount of energy required to achieve "flight".

Considering that the Lighter Than Air concept requires the volume of air to be displaced to lift the hull out of the water would be very large resulting in a very large parasitic drag which most likely will require more thrust than what would be required to get over the "hump"

Another WIG approach you may find worth investigating is http://users.telenet.be/heliferry/Pr...of%20lift.html

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Gannet

Another WIG approach you may find worth investigating is http://users.telenet.be/heliferry/Pr...of%20lift.html

They have a picture of the Carter Gyrocopter on their site, a nice craft in it's own right.

Again I must protest large rotating blades near the water surface.

I'm not going to lose my head over it in a pitch though.

[Jimboat]

Originally Posted by Gannet

Can anyone tell me why this thread just died? It was one of the best threads I found that discuss WIG Boats, Flying Boats, Step Hulls, Hydroplanes and Tunnels .

All of our research is focused on the tunnel hull designs, requiring the analysis of the unique balance of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces for dynamic stability on water surfaces. Tunnel boats are low aspect ratio aerofoils in ground effect. It's a very interesting field. We've been doing research, wind tunnel and water channel testing, and full scale testing for 30 years.

Check out "Secrets of Tunnel Hull Design" book, or various papers on web site.

Call if you want to discuss.

Cheers!

[machg]

The design I have in my head is based around a tunnel (or catamaran?) hull type. The idea is to basically have a large WIG specific wing in the middle with tunnel type hulls on either end. I quite like the idea of a large ducted fan setup in the middle of the wing for WIG VTOL. The blades of the ducted fan could be variable pitch so that drag would be minimised once WIG flight is achieved. Would the rotation of the fan would provide a gyroscopic effect, aiding stability?

[yipster]

BELT DRIVEN Counter Rotating Planetary Drive Units Now Available!
Increase Thrust up to 30%
Reduce Noise by up to 30%
Use Wide or Narrow Propellers
Front Propeller Turns Larger Slower Propeller to Feed Rear Faster Propeller.
Available in (3) Combined Output Ratios:
http://www.centurydrivesystemsinc.co...r_rotating.htm

[pilgrim3927]

Originally Posted by skippervs

smenkhare. Please, do you know the name or any datas of Turkish Co, who bought the project?

The FS8 project was bought by Wigetworks in Singapore.
Check this link: www.wigetworks.com

They are still operational. I am currently in communication with them.

Cheers

[rjbuljubasic@gm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJaOb...mbedded#at=293

follow this link to see the only good wig plane design, other than my own.

[rjbuljubasic@gm]

If i may add my input to stepped hulls, stay away from them when building WIG planes, you want a smooth and flat as possible surface, stepped hulls displaces water and interrupts the airflow around the foil that creates lift.

[yipster]

rjbuljubasic@gm and what or where is your good wig plane design? the u-tube link seems to show a low flyer, but i'm only an amatuer enhousiast
there are 3 types of wig i read; the low flyers, the type that can jump boats and obstacles and a wigtype that can make jumps way above its ground effect rite?
attached an investigation on a hydrofoil wig with waterjet propulsion, fascinating. plz post your design, i'm sure i'm not the only one that likes to see it

[Bruce46]

Take a look at this. http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca/vol...ue9/webcast-3/

[pilgrim3927]

Thanks Bruce46
I am aware of the Nelson, NZ design. Quite innovative but is it really a WIG?
It appears to fly outside what one would call the normal permanent ground effect range and one would have to wonder if it is not legally an aircraft.

[pilgrim3927]

I too would like to look at the design of rjbuljubasic@gm 's WIG craft

Have to agree the video shows something similar to the Amphistar but with an extra wing similar to that of a normal aircraft - that wing doesn't appear to do much.

It also appears to barely clear the surface and would not be suitable for marine conditions or choppy conditions.

[rjbuljubasic@gm]

thanks for your input and the document about the massive wig plane design. I am busy with a animation video of my craft and should be completed soon
the frontal stabilizer clears the water and should be at 1deg angle of attack at 170 knots fully loaded, this wing allows for straight and level flight at a wide range of operating speeds, but its main function is structural. About the choppy seas, NOT OPERATING IN THESE CONDITIONS,
I am building this craft to work, I do not have enough money to build prototypes, this is why it is shorter than 12 meters, As to maritime law, I have to pass a float test, and I need to comply with a minimum speed of 5 knots. There are more regulations on the hanger where it will be built, than on the boat itself .