20895 ACE Language (Yr 6) Structures and Language Features
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How hovercraft work<br />
Resource sheet<br />
A hovercraft is a vehicle that flies above the surface of water or across l<strong>and</strong> on a cushion<br />
of pressurised air.<br />
This all-terrain vehicle is powered by an engine which is designed to turn one or two<br />
large fans. The power of the air blown by one fan lifts the hovercraft up by forcing air<br />
under it. A second fan is usually used to push the vehicle forwards. It does this by blowing<br />
air backwards in a similar way to a jet engine.<br />
The three main components of a hovercraft are:<br />
• the main body<br />
• the fans<br />
• the skirt.<br />
Air is forced under the hovercraft, where the skirt traps it between the ground <strong>and</strong> the<br />
main body. The vehicle hovers <strong>and</strong> ’flies’ on this air.<br />
The hovercraft glides across the surface. There is little friction, so it doesn’t require much<br />
power to move the craft forward. Some can travel at speeds of up to 130 kph.<br />
Rudders like those used in aircraft are located behind the fans. They are used to steer the<br />
hovercraft.<br />
Stopping a hovercraft is not so simple. This can be done by turning the craft 180 degrees<br />
<strong>and</strong> using the thrust of the fan to push it back in the direction it came from.<br />
Hovercraft are environmentally friendly <strong>and</strong> economical to run. Their footprint pressure<br />
on the Earth has been described as less than that of a seagull st<strong>and</strong>ing on one leg. They<br />
are versatile, very safe vehicles which are popular with the military.<br />
These craft, while amazing, actually operate on a quite a simple scientific principle.<br />
main body<br />
skirt<br />
cushion of air<br />
cockpit<br />
drive<br />
shaft<br />
engine<br />
central fan<br />
Australian Curriculum English – <strong>Language</strong>: Text structure <strong>and</strong> organisation (Year 6) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®<br />
14<br />
drive shaft<br />
cushion of air<br />
rear fan<br />
airflow<br />
vertical<br />
rudders<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong> how authors often innovate on text structures <strong>and</strong> play with language features to achieve particular aesthetic, humorous <strong>and</strong> persuasive purposes <strong>and</strong> effects (<strong>ACE</strong>LA1518)<br />
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment <strong>and</strong> Reporting Authority 2012
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