UPDATE 12/25/06 Chirstmas
Test flight No. 7 went alright yesterday, there is good and there is bad to report.
Good:
Elevators gave me much needed control
Craft was balanced
Parking lot trials were good, I did not hit any wood post this time.
Straight line water travel and large arc turns were good to fair
Bad:
Elevator clips for adjustable angles slipped up the shaft(s).
Balance still allowed some mid-ship/mid-bag spray blasts of water when coming off cushion.
I found myself sliding sideways when letting off the gas going down a steep drive.
Tight water turns were slow to respond and resulted in coming off cushion.
Conclusion:
About the last "bad" item. This may indicate there is still large amounts of skirt drag under certain conditions. These conditions get worse very quickly because of the heavy skirt material. This heavy skirt drag once it happens does not allow the hovercraft to "recover" and get back on cushion.
Weather Conditions:
Christmas Eve, sunny 47 degrees F, and very little wind. What state am I in? Michigan, I know it's crazy - unheard of.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Video going out on to the lake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWQS8TCnDo
Video coming back in and dragging it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55L1HwYOvKQ
I went in and out of the lake several times, and "at will". The results were always the same. Sharp turn would slow the craft down and force me off cushion, dragging the skirt. Large arc type turns did okay (270 degrees) until facing a slight headwind then there was no way to keep speed up, not enough thrust.
There is not enough lift and thrust to overcome the problems the heavy skirt material has caused. What I have now will make a fine "ice skirt" but I don't see it ever see it becoming a good water skirt without more development. As it is now I can just experiment with it, and not enjoy it in any other manner.