The new hovercraft looks great. You can definitely notice the improvement in noise levels and it's interesting to see the small bow thrusters located on the roof at the front - much more inconspicuous than those on the AP1-88's, BHT's, etc. I know these two new craft will be more fuel efficient than those they replace but I am concerned that they're a lot smaller. Not quite sure how Hovertravel will maintain the same standards of service with the reduced number of seats, especially during the summer months where there is in increase in tourism to the island. Perhaps the service will operate more frequently than it does now? Two craft constantly in service?
Doug: Managed to find out the measurements - according to marinetraffic.com, the measurements for this new Hovertravel craft (Solent Flyer) is 22m x 11m compared to 24.5m x 12m for their current craft, Freedom 90 and Island Express.
Thank you for the heads up on those other two videos! I hadn't seen them! Yes, Solent Flyer and Island Flyer. I'm going to keep an eye on the craft's movements over the next couple of days, and if it looks like she's heading down to Ryde or Southsea again, I'll try and get over and snap some footage myself. :-)
+dcoul1 : I hope it makes an appearance for you. I look forward to seeing it too. Wonder how the construction of the other one is getting on? Perhaps construction of Island Flyer has been deliberately setback to allow for any modifications needed following Solent Flyer's sea trials?
Hello - me again. Forgot to ask - I hear what sounds like a marine / ships radio in the background. What is the correct name for this equipment, do you need a licence to have one and can you tune in to specific craft? I remember standing at Southsea watching the Hovercraft and someone had one tuned into Freedom 90 leaving the pad. I should have asked then but didn't. Thanks in advance.
+UKWMO It's a marine VHF radio. You do need a license to operate one, but as far as I know, if you are just listening but not transmitting, then you are OK, but don't quote me on that. It may be that if you are using a set that is capable of transmitting, you might still need a license. I do hold one, through my work, and also as a leisure boat user. Having said the above, I think some of the ones you have been hearing are sets that receive (monitor) only, similar to the type that aircraft enthusiasts use. For these types of sets I should think you wouldn't need a license. You can't tune in to a specific craft as such, but they all use a working channel to contact port controllers on. For Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) it is VHF Channel 12. For Portsmouth QHM (Queen's Harbour Master) it is VHF Channel 11. Hope this helps. Doug
The more I look at the new craft, the more I think those bow thrusters would have been better off located on the hull at the front and not on the roof. Surely they're going to obstruct the pilots view, especially when departing the pads at Southsea or Ryde. However having said that I'm sure Griffon Hoverwork know what they're doing so there must be a good reason.
+UKWMO I guess so. The looks grow on one I think. Even though the overall size is smaller than the AP1-88, I thought the seating capacity (cabin size) was the same? Could be wrong though.
+dcoul1 : Griffon Hoverwork's website say the seating capacity on the new craft is 88 persons. The existing AP1-88/100's have a seating capacity of 100 persons I believe so I guess there's not much difference. As a regular user of Hovertravel, I suppose I shouldn't grumble, with all the new technology thats gone into the new craft, they're bound to be much better. There's now only two engines as opposed to four and the cabin has been soundproofed better, and with the engines being more fuel efficient and quieter, the noise levels will be better both inside and out. I think the two clamshell doors at the front are a neat trick, they automatically lower and raise like a drawbridge for embarking and disembarking - one side has a ramp for buggies, bikes and wheelchair users and the other has steps.
+UKWMO Yes, not much difference I know that much. I believe the cabin size is the same as the AP1-88, but of course space will be needed for all luggage to be carried inside, as no panniers like the AP. Big improvements all round, and two engines like you say. The bow loading/unloading harks back to the days of the SRN6, and should work well. I used to commute daily, starting out on the SRN6s and then onto the AP1-88s when they were introduced in 1983. I was aboard for their first day in service! Happy days, and exciting times now for Hovertravel!
+dcoul1 : They've definitely improved since the SRN6 but think it's great they've gone back to the bow ramp idea - things always seem to turn full circle, but if it works then why not. Think they have an ex Hovertravel SRN6 at the Hovercraft Museum don't they - or is it an SRN5? Of course not to be confused with the SRN4!
+UKWMO Absolutely. Nothing wrong with going back to bow loading. It'll give the passengers a little bit of protection, particularly at Southsea, just like it used to on the SRN6s. The SRN6 to the AP1-88 was a big leap. So different in so many ways. You suddenly went from being packed in like sardines, to travelling in bright and airy conditions! Even though the APs were modern and comfortable, the N6 was lovely in so many other ways! There are three SRN6s at the Museum, and one SRN5 (and the two SRN4s). One SRN6 is a well deck Landrover carrying version, then there's the twin prop version (still a 'runner') and then the conventional ex Hovertravel/Seaspeed one (Sea Hawk). She was one I used to travel on. :-)
+OooToob What you're seeing there is the spray suppression skirt, which is fitted towards the bottom edge of the main skirt body. It seems to be doing a good job of retaining most of the spray.
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
Looks good doesn't she? Excellent low speed performance and superb noise levels. Now I want to see her doing 50 knots! :-)
Yes, superb! I live across the water, so I should hopefully get some footage of her at full chat on Southampton Water.. Will post as soon as I do!
Looks good , still can't beat the old SRN6 !
The new hovercraft looks great. You can definitely notice the improvement in noise levels and it's interesting to see the small bow thrusters located on the roof at the front - much more inconspicuous than those on the AP1-88's, BHT's, etc. I know these two new craft will be more fuel efficient than those they replace but I am concerned that they're a lot smaller. Not quite sure how Hovertravel will maintain the same standards of service with the reduced number of seats, especially during the summer months where there is in increase in tourism to the island. Perhaps the service will operate more frequently than it does now? Two craft constantly in service?
Doug: Managed to find out the measurements - according to marinetraffic.com, the measurements for this new Hovertravel craft (Solent Flyer) is 22m x 11m compared to 24.5m x 12m for their current craft, Freedom 90 and Island Express.
Doug - Two new videos of this craft at Ryde Hoverport now on RUclips. It would appear this one has been named Solent Flyer.
Thank you for the heads up on those other two videos! I hadn't seen them!
Yes, Solent Flyer and Island Flyer.
I'm going to keep an eye on the craft's movements over the next couple of days, and if it looks like she's heading down to Ryde or Southsea again, I'll try and get over and snap some footage myself. :-)
+dcoul1 : I hope it makes an appearance for you. I look forward to seeing it too. Wonder how the construction of the other one is getting on? Perhaps construction of Island Flyer has been deliberately setback to allow for any modifications needed following Solent Flyer's sea trials?
Hello - me again. Forgot to ask - I hear what sounds like a marine / ships radio in the background. What is the correct name for this equipment, do you need a licence to have one and can you tune in to specific craft? I remember standing at Southsea watching the Hovercraft and someone had one tuned into Freedom 90 leaving the pad. I should have asked then but didn't. Thanks in advance.
+UKWMO It's a marine VHF radio. You do need a license to operate one, but as far as I know, if you are just listening but not transmitting, then you are OK, but don't quote me on that. It may be that if you are using a set that is capable of transmitting, you might still need a license. I do hold one, through my work, and also as a leisure boat user.
Having said the above, I think some of the ones you have been hearing are sets that receive (monitor) only, similar to the type that aircraft enthusiasts use. For these types of sets I should think you wouldn't need a license.
You can't tune in to a specific craft as such, but they all use a working channel to contact port controllers on. For Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) it is VHF Channel 12. For Portsmouth QHM (Queen's Harbour Master) it is VHF Channel 11. Hope this helps. Doug
+dcoul1 : That's great many thanks for that information, I'll have to look into it!
You're welcome. Happy monitoring!
It actually looks like this hovers, the AP 100 mad the next gen always looked nose heavy in the water and like they were only just floating.
The more I look at the new craft, the more I think those bow thrusters would have been better off located on the hull at the front and not on the roof. Surely they're going to obstruct the pilots view, especially when departing the pads at Southsea or Ryde. However having said that I'm sure Griffon Hoverwork know what they're doing so there must be a good reason.
+UKWMO I guess so. The looks grow on one I think. Even though the overall size is smaller than the AP1-88, I thought the seating capacity (cabin size) was the same? Could be wrong though.
+dcoul1 : Griffon Hoverwork's website say the seating capacity on the new craft is 88 persons. The existing AP1-88/100's have a seating capacity of 100 persons I believe so I guess there's not much difference. As a regular user of Hovertravel, I suppose I shouldn't grumble, with all the new technology thats gone into the new craft, they're bound to be much better. There's now only two engines as opposed to four and the cabin has been soundproofed better, and with the engines being more fuel efficient and quieter, the noise levels will be better both inside and out. I think the two clamshell doors at the front are a neat trick, they automatically lower and raise like a drawbridge for embarking and disembarking - one side has a ramp for buggies, bikes and wheelchair users and the other has steps.
+UKWMO Yes, not much difference I know that much. I believe the cabin size is the same as the AP1-88, but of course space will be needed for all luggage to be carried inside, as no panniers like the AP.
Big improvements all round, and two engines like you say.
The bow loading/unloading harks back to the days of the SRN6, and should work well.
I used to commute daily, starting out on the SRN6s and then onto the AP1-88s when they were introduced in 1983. I was aboard for their first day in service! Happy days, and exciting times now for Hovertravel!
+dcoul1 : They've definitely improved since the SRN6 but think it's great they've gone back to the bow ramp idea - things always seem to turn full circle, but if it works then why not. Think they have an ex Hovertravel SRN6 at the Hovercraft Museum don't they - or is it an SRN5? Of course not to be confused with the SRN4!
+UKWMO Absolutely. Nothing wrong with going back to bow loading. It'll give the passengers a little bit of protection, particularly at Southsea, just like it used to on the SRN6s.
The SRN6 to the AP1-88 was a big leap. So different in so many ways. You suddenly went from being packed in like sardines, to travelling in bright and airy conditions! Even though the APs were modern and comfortable, the N6 was lovely in so many other ways!
There are three SRN6s at the Museum, and one SRN5 (and the two SRN4s). One SRN6 is a well deck Landrover carrying version, then there's the twin prop version (still a 'runner') and then the conventional ex Hovertravel/Seaspeed one (Sea Hawk). She was one I used to travel on. :-)
what is going on with that skirt?
+OooToob What you're seeing there is the spray suppression skirt, which is fitted towards the bottom edge of the main skirt body. It seems to be doing a good job of retaining most of the spray.