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Home β€Ί Hovercraft β€Ί Study Guide

πŸ’¨ Hovercraft Study Guide

Expert-designed curriculum Β· 11 modules Β· 69 topics Β· Science Olympiad 2026

Home β€Ί Hovercraft
Overview πŸ“š Study Guide πŸ“ Mock Exam πŸƒ Flashcards
πŸ“… Current (2025–2026) πŸ“¦ Archived (2025–26)
πŸŽ“ Division:
1

Module 1 β€” Event Rules & Competition Overview

Understand what the Hovercraft event requires, how runs are scored, and what violations to avoid before building anything.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C
1.1
Event Format & Goals
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1.2
Vehicle Size & Weight Rules
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1.3
Scoring: Distance & Time
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1.4
Timing Dowel Requirement
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1.5
Safety Rules & Violations
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1.6
Flight Log Requirements
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1.7
Historical Bonus Structure
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2

Module 2 β€” Fluid Dynamics Fundamentals

Master the core fluid-mechanics principles that explain how a hovercraft achieves lift and forward thrust through pressurized air.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 2 Div C-only topics
2.1
Pressure & Pascal's Law
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2.2
Bernoulli's Principle
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2.3
Air Cushion Dynamics
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2.4
Continuity Equation & Mass Flow Rate Div C
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2.5
Drag & Friction Forces
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2.6
Measurement Box Div C
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3

Module 3 β€” Aerodynamics & Propulsion Physics

Explore how fans and propellers generate thrust and how aerodynamic shape affects hovercraft performance.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 2 Div C-only topics
3.1
Newton's Third Law & Thrust
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3.2
Propeller vs. Impeller Design
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3.3
Fan Efficiency & CFM vs. Static Pressure
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3.4
Propeller Shielding & Safety
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3.5
Coandă Effect Div C
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3.6
Gyroscopic Effects & Torque Reaction Div C
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4

Module 4 β€” Hovercraft Components & Design

Learn about the major subsystems: fans, motors, power electronics, skirts, body, and steering. Understand design tradeoffs between performance, weight, and reliability.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 2 Div C-only topics
4.1
Kinematic Equations (1D Motion)
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4.2
Newton's First Law & Inertia
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4.3
Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
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4.4
Newton's Third Law in Propulsion
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4.5
Impulse & Momentum Div C
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4.6
Torque & Counter-Rotation Div C
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5

Module 5 β€” Power Systems & Battery Selection

Understand batteries, motor selection, voltage/current calculations, and power budget constraints. A well-chosen power system is essential for sustained performance.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 3 Div C-only topics
5.1
Basic Circuit Concepts
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5.2
Series vs. Parallel Circuits
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5.3
Battery Selection & Specifications
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5.4
Motors: Brushed vs. Brushless Div C
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5.5
Speed Control: Potentiometers & Rheostats
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5.6
Switches & Safe Operation
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5.7
Power Delivery & Wire Gauge Div C
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5.8
Capacitors in Hovercraft Circuits Div C
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6

Module 6 β€” Skirt Design & Materials

The skirt is the most critical component. Learn skirt geometry, material choice (vinyl, flexible plastic), perimeter leakage, and how skirt design affects lift and stability.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 1 Div C-only topic
6.1
Base Design Principles
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6.2
Weight vs. Performance Trade-off
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6.3
Center of Mass & Stability
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6.4
Fan Mounting & Airflow Routing
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6.5
Structural Materials Comparison
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6.6
Modular Design for Testing Div C
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7

Module 7 β€” Instrumentation & Optimization

Learn to instrument the hovercraft for data collection. Use measurements to identify bottlenecks and iterate on design for improved performance.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 3 Div C-only topics
7.1
How the Skirt Creates Lift
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7.2
Bag Skirt Design
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7.3
Wall (Peripheral Jet) Skirt Design Div C
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7.4
Momentum Curtain Skirts Div C
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7.5
Ceiling & Venue Considerations
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7.6
Competition Time Management
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7.7
Troubleshooting Mid-Competition Div C
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8

Module 8 β€” Construction Techniques & Fabrication

Practical building skills: balancing, waterproofing electrical systems, working with foam/plastic, safe assembly, and stress testing before competition.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 1 Div C-only topic
8.1
Why Speed Control Matters
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8.2
Potentiometer-Based Speed Control
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8.3
Tape & Physical Airflow Restriction
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8.4
Dual-Motor Speed Balancing
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8.5
Effect of Battery Voltage on Speed
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8.6
Environmental Variables & Surface Adaptation Div C
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9

Module 9 β€” Troubleshooting & Field Repairs

Develop the mindset to diagnose failures: skirt leaks, vibrations, steering issues, power loss. Learn quick repairs and jury-rigging under competition time pressure.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 1 Div C-only topic
9.1
Engineering Design Process
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9.2
Measuring Run Performance
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9.3
Controlled Variable Testing
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9.4
Data Tables & Graphs
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9.5
Failure Mode Analysis Div C
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9.6
Practice Runs & Repeatability
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10

Module 10 β€” Testing & Validation Protocols

Pre-competition testing methodology: control variables, repeatability, surface variation testing, and confidence building before event day.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C Β· 2 Div C-only topics
10.1
History of Hovercraft
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10.2
Commercial & Military Applications
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10.3
Scale Effects: Small vs. Large Hovercraft Div C
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10.4
Environmental Considerations
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10.5
Modern Innovations: Ground Effect Vehicles Div C
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11

Module 11 β€” Competition Strategy & Execution

Planning the 8-minute competition run: time management, strategic pacing, troubleshooting under pressure, and maximizing the probability of a complete, successful run.

πŸ”΅ Div B 🟣 Div C
11.1
Impound Checklist
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11.2
Pre-Run Inspection & Setup
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11.3
Reading the Track
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11.4
Run Decision Making
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11.5
Time Management During the Event
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11.6
Communicating as a Two-Person Team
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