Hovercraft Chair

Hovercraft Chair

Hovercraft chair

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The Hovercraft $49.99 Wilf Hardy The Hovercraft - Giclee Print

Hovercraft $34.99 English School Hovercraft - Giclee Print

Any tips for making a balloon/Cd Hovercraft for science?

For science class, I have to Make A Hovercraft using a balloon and a CD or LP (or any other material, other than plexiglas, that I can think of and bring in). The goal is to make the craft go as far as possible using just power from the balloon, and launching it from an inclined ramp the height of a chair.
Any tips for improving performance? There have been some that went further than 50 metres, and mine's only going 13 at best right now. Tips?

use a plastic twist off bottle cap to connect the balloon to the cd. You will make an approx 1/4 inch hole in the center top of the bottle cap. The rolled edge of the balloon will be passed through the drilled hole from the top side of the bottle cap. Using hot melt glue attach the bottom of the bottle cap over the CD spindle hole. The bottle cap keeps the end of the balloon away from the bottom of the CD. The size hole you drill in the cap will depend upon the size of the balloon. Too large a hole and the rolled neck of the balloon won't stay in the hole. You may have to experiment a little with the drill size to see what works best. Do this before you glue the cap to the CD.

To inflate the balloon use a straw passed up through the under side and into the balloon. Lightly pInch the balloon over the straw to seal it and inflate. Slide the straw out while pinching the balloon to seal the air until your ready to launch your Hover Craft. If you need to slow the air flow out of the balloon you can use a paper clip to restrict the neck of the balloon.