Construction Survey: AirFish

AirFish-8 (ex. Flightship FS8) is a 17m wing-in-ground craft constructed by the Airfoil Development (AFD) in the Germany as a prototype craft for commercial production. It is designed with a capacity of six passengers and two crews or, alternatively, 750 kg payload and two crews. The design is based on earlier AirFish design principles and features a classic Lippisch's reverse delta wing configuration. Classification of the craft was first handled by Germanischer Lloyd in the Germany and later by the Lloyd's Register in Australia. The AirFish-8 provides efficient low cost transportation at intermediate speeds between that of the typical ocean going vessel and the conventional aircraft. The major capital cost advantage of ground effect vessels over aircraft is their classification as marine craft. This classification applies to all construction, registration, operator licensing and maintenance requirements and allows a lower construction cost as opposed to an aircraft or helicopters production cost. Under the IMO legislation, the AF8 is classified as a Type A WIG craft, in the category of marine vessel. In order for the technology to become widespread and accepted internationally, it is imperative that AF8 is certified by an international certification authority. Such certification is a powerful endorsement to the technology's viability and safety. Our AF8-001 was previously certified by Germanischer Lloyd in Germany. This, according to many, is indeed a landmark in the ...