Cross-Solent travel operator Hovertravel has announced that from this month they will try keeping the engines turned on – as opposed to turning them off – when they turn the craft around at Ryde and Southsea, just like in the good old days.
The decision has been made under the direction of the design authority, Griffon Hoverwork, and will see the switch-up tested from now onwards on 1 of the 2 strong Flyer fleet.
Many people said that when the new craft were introduced back in 2016 that the decision to turn the engine off was a peculiar one, given the fact that both Island Express and Freedom 90 operated with their engines on during turnarounds.
The change will now see passengers disembark from the craft whilst the engine is kept at idle as was common practice in the past with the AP188s.
Customers will be able to hear the engines and the skirt may flap on the pad occasionally.
New air diffuser panels are being attached to the boarding ramp to diffuse any turbulent winds.
The tree huggers will be wringing their hands at that news.
Expect a green statement imminently from the Nordic Doom Goblin, Greta…
And don’t forget all them posh muppets who choose to live down the esplanade but demand peace and tranquilety.
sounds like someone is jealous of the success of others – batty boy – are you trying to make yourself feel wealthier by insulting those that are succeeding in life, to compensate for your failures.
Most of the “posh muppets” you refer to are people who have worked hard over many years to afford to buy their homes, a concept undoubtedly alien to you, also perhaps you should have made more effort in school regarding your limited grasp of the English language.
Let’s hope battyboy lives a life of “quite tranquilety”
So a nearby cafe can’t open late for customers and music but hover travel can leave their very noisy engines running.
All that noise pollution at night eh
Down thumbs- urgh – your humour was lost on them.
I think it’s terrible.
I don’t understand, why would they? Doesn’t it just use fuel with no real benefit?
It should provide a faster turnaround and by keeping them running may reduce the occasional technical issues. I suspect that keeping them running won’t be as expensive as restarting them constantly