We are pleased to announce that HoverAid Holland has placed an order for the 1st Vortex 7+. After consultation there has been a number of design changes to realise the full potential of this craft.

• Diesel powered lift and thrust engines
• Lift engine now mounted in the bow for better weight distribution (bow door feature now not available)
• Fixed full front windscreen
• Cabin Option
• Heating / cooling (optional)
• Flexible seating / payload options

Seating can easily be removed for carrying a wide range of cargo; whilst the design carrying load of 900kg might appear modest for craft of this size, we know from previous experience of our other craft that this is an ‘safe’ under calculation.

The pilot (driver) sits well up front and high and is in an ideal position to see the beach, rocks, ramp etc for easy slow speed manoeuvrability, this position also allows for good control of the craft when at speed.

The use of 2 engines, lift and thrust, means that the craft can manoeuvre much more easily at slow speed than an integrated craft and provided better wave handling when at sea.  The whole design concept of the craft is to keep it simple and reliable. The fans are set up to run as slow as possible and with quality engine silencing the intention is to get the noise levels as low as possible we hope to be well inside the  current 85dba @ 25m currently recommended for vehicles like these

The segment (sides) and loop segment skirt (bow and stern) will give the graft the best of both skirt systems, the replaceable fingers ensure that down time is kept to a minimum.  The inflatable side bodies with their 6 separate sealed buoyancy chambers ensure that not only is the craft buoyant, but there is a flexible outer structure when hitting / knocking against hard objects.

Should the craft be left on water and the air chambers go flat for some reason, the 0.5cum of buoyancy foam (around the engine fan areas) ensure that the craft is safe.  By deflating the inflatable side bodies it ensure that towing the craft is easy and will fit a standard shipping container, the 2.2m towing width is well within the limits of a standard car and would not require a multi-purpose vehicle (4*4 etc).

Whilst the final internal design layout is not fixed, it may be possible to add 2 extra seats either side & slightly further back to the pilot should the customer require giving a 9 seat capability.