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	:: frequently asked questions ::
	Why does nothing happen when I click on some of the links in the DiscoverHover website? What exactly is DiscoverHover? Who is eligible to join the DiscoverHover program? How do I get my free hovercraft plans? How much does the DiscoverHover program cost? What type engine does the hovercraft use, and where do I get it? Can I really compete against hovercraft racing champions? Will the DiscoverHover program satisfy my state academic standards? What do other schools have to say about hovercraft building and racing? Do you have a newsletter? Can I get a story in the newsletter about my school's DiscoverHover project? Is there an Internet forum where I can talk to other people about the DiscoverHover program and hovercraft in general? What if I have technical questions or concerns about the DiscoverHover One hovercraft plans or the program in general? How can I contact the organizers of the DiscoverHover program? Are hovercraft safe? Do hovercraft hurt the environment? What about Insurance? Does Hovercraft racing present a collision risk? What are the catagories of racing that are planned for the DiscoverHover One ? Why does nothing happen when I click on some of the links in the DiscoverHover website? Some links may be inactive because areas of the website are still under construction. Try again in a few days and they should be functional. Another possibility is that your web server - especially if you are using a school account - has security precautions and firewalls in place that may be causing the problem. Try accessing these links from your home computer. What exactly is DiscoverHover? DiscoverHover is an international program established by the World Hovercraft Organization that gives students the opportunity to build their own hovercraft and not only experience the thrill of flying an amphibious vehicle across land, water, ice and snow, but also have the opportunity to compete alongside world champions in established hovercraft races. DiscoverHover provides free hovercraft plans and building instructions to students and to educators. Who is eligible to join the DiscoverHover program? While the program is designed for schools, universities and youth clubs, with separate programs for different age groups and for museums, anyone is eligible to join. For more information, see "Who can join DiscoverHover" on our home page: http://www.discoverhover.org/index.htm How do I get my free hovercraft plans? In order to qualify for the free hovercraft construction plans, you must register with the DiscoverHover program so we can verify that you are a student, instructor or member or leader of a student or youth organization. You can register online or by mail. To register, go to http://www.discoverhover.org/register/registerpage.htm How much does the DiscoverHover program cost? It costs nothing to join. The hovercraft plans are free to students of any age, schools, instructors, and to members or leaders of any student or youth organization. If you are not a student and do not fit into any of these categories, you can purchase the plans for $50.00 US. Complete information about the costs involved in building a DiscoverHover hovercraft, can be found on our website at http://www.discoverhover.org/aboutdiscoverhover/cost.htm. What type engine does the hovercraft use, and where do I get it? To meet standard hovercraft racing regulations, your DiscoverHover One hovercraft must be constructed with one or more unmodified 4-cycle engine(s) rated at up to a maximum of 12.5 horsepower or 9.3 Kilowatts. This is a light industrial engine produced by a number of manufacturers, and is available at lawn and garden centers, agricultural/farm suppliers, or from small engine distributors. Complete information about the engine, where to find it, and how to get it donated to your project by a local dealer can be found on our web site at The hovercraft engine. Can I really compete against hovercraft racing champions? Yes, once a Hoverclub has certified your hovercraft you are eligible to race in all Hoverclub endurance races. Hovercraft endurance racing is based on handicapping, which opens the field to hovercraft of every kind. Cruising hovercraft and entry-level hovercraft can easily compete against experienced racers and even world champions! Will the DiscoverHover program satisfy my state academic standards? Yes. All curriculum materials and resources are specifically designed to conform to your local and national academic standards. More information can be found at http://www.discoverhover.org/infoinstructors/standards.htm What do other schools have to say about hovercraft building and racing? Comments from educators up through college level can be found at http://www.discoverhover.org/infoinstructors/comments.htm Do you have a newsletter? Yes. HoverWorld Insider is a free email newsletter published by the World Hovercraft Organization, the parent organization of DiscoverHover. It will keep you updated on the DiscoverHover program as well as on general hovercraft information and news from around the world. You can subscribe at http://www.discoverhover.org/insider/insider.htm Can I get a story in the newsletter about my school's DiscoverHover project? Absolutely! We're always eager to profile DiscoverHover projects in both the newsletter and on our web site. All you have to do is email PR@WorldHovercraft.org to let us know you're interested in this valuable publicity, and we'll contact you. Is there an Internet forum where I can talk to other people about the DiscoverHover program and hovercraft in general? Yes. The DiscoverHover Forum at http://discoverhover.org/forum/ includes message boards for students, instructors, museums and general questions about the program. *What if I have technical questions or concerns about the DiscoverHover One* hovercraft plans or the program in general? The best place to ask your questions or voice any concerns you might have is in the HoverForum at http://www.discoverhover.org/forum/. This will open a discussion with the entire worldwide DiscoverHover membership, allowing you to get answers from fellow participants as well as from program officials. How can I contact the organizers of the DiscoverHover program? Comments, suggestions and inquiries about the DiscoverHover program are always welcome! Contact information can be found at http://www.discoverhover.org/contact/contactus.htm Are hovercraft safe? Yes. All hovercraft, including DiscoverHover student hovercraft, must be checked by the Safety Officer of an authorized Hoverclub before acceptance into any established hovercraft race. During hovercraft races, the event Safety Officer again checks each hovercraft prior to its participation. And both the Safety Officials and the Race Officials closely monitor the performance of each hovercraft and pilot throughout all racing events. Do hovercraft hurt the environment? No. The unique characteristics of the hovercraft contribute to the safe nature of the sport. One of these characteristics is the hovercraft's low "footprint pressure." The pressure a hovercraft exerts on its operating surface is conservatively 1/30th that of the human foot! The average human being standing on ground exerts a pressure of about 3 lbs per square inch, and that increases to 25 lbs per square inch when walking. In contrast, the average hovercraft exerts a pressure of only 0.33 lbs per square inch, regardless of speed. This "footprint pressure" is less than that of a seagull standing on one foot! Hovercraft have literally flown over a pedestrian without inflicting harm. What about Insurance? Personal insurance is an individual matter up to the participant or school. However, public liability event coverage is usually always provided by event organizers. Does Hovercraft racing present a collision risk? All racing involves the risk of collisions and accidents. In over 30 years of serious accident free history, Hovercraft racing has been considered a very safe sport. What are the catagories of racing that are planned for the DiscoverHover One?** There are no categories of racing. Racing, cruising and passenger craft may participate, and endurance racing is based on handicapping and time trials. The maximum engine horsepower allowed in the competition is 12.5 hp (or 9.325 kilowatts).