see www.flightship.net for more information

2000 UPDATE

TKS with design engineers during test flight in Holland, 2000

General description

The Flightship FS8 is a very high speed, highly efficient marine craft. Registered, operated and maintained at typically low marine craft overheads, the Flightship FS8 lifts totally clear of the water surface to ride a self-generated airwave at speed above 40 knots

The Flightship FS8 is an all composite craft designed for economical, over water transportation of 2 crew plus 6 passengers or 2 crew plus 650 kgs payload. The Flightship FS8 is only available to commercial operators with certified crews trained at the Flightship Training School (FTS).

By virtue of a Flightship's aerodynamic design, sustainable free flight is not possible above ground effect. Under United Nations International Maritime Organisation (IMO) legislation, ground effect craft are recognised as marine craft for construction, insurance, operator licensing and registration requirements.

As commercial marine craft the purchase and operating costs are considerably less than traditional aircraft, while still able to travel at a speed comparable to a light aircraft.

Flight attitude in the Flightship FS8 is extremely stable. Sea state and wave action have only a very minor effect when airborne. The larger the craft, the higher the surface clearance and wave height capability.

The Flightship FS8 has a maximum water surface clearance capability of up to 2 metres over the crests of 2 metre waves. A range of up to 200nm and a cruising speed of 170km/h (86 knots) is achievable.

Maximum external noise emission in the cruise mode is 75 dBA at 100 metres. This is far less than a heavy diesel truck @ 90 dBA on the highway or a jet aircraft taking off at 125 dBA.

Built to international marine standards all Flightship craft are built under Shipping Registry Classification Society Survey, ensuring the highest levels of quality are rigidly maintained in every phase of production.

If required the Flightship FS8 is able to operate with no wharf infastructure. A three point retractable slipway undercarriage is fitted as standard ramp loading and low overhead maintenance operations. This provides operators with unique opportunities to develop links for undeveloped regions and inaccessible areas.

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