The Hoverwing aka a Flying Boat by Rudy Heeman [DIY]

There are people out there who are less than impressed with this story, saying the concept isn’t anything new and that the Soviets designed a series of similar vessels in the 70s-90s during the Cold War. Well, none of them used their daughter’s scooter handle bars as a steering column did they? No!

It’s neither a plane nor a boat, but the latest invention of Nelson’s very own Flying Dutchman has people fascinated.

Hira resident Rudy Heeman, a mechanic who has spent the last 11 years building hovercraft in his spare time, has come up with a model that does more than skim the surface.

The hoverwing was an extremely efficient method of transport, and Mr Heeman said the optimum height for it was about 1.5m above the water – he reached 98kmh on his last speed test.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommer said the vehicle was not classed as an aircraft because it used an air cushion which relied on water.