Hoverfoil™ Design and Testing

The Hoverfoil(TM) is an engineered wing-in-ground effect airfoil that can maintain lift while at zero forward velocity. This is done by use of internally routed duct work that channels airflow through the airfoil to the underside, to create an area of high pressure on the bottom of the Hoverfoil(TM). The airfoil shape (excluding ductwork) utilized a NACA 8308 airfoil. A combination of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models and 3D scale prototyping have been used to study the feasibility of the project. The CFD model has proven the initial idea as feasible, however the implementation of the scale prototype needs to overcome some barriers to complete testing.