Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
This report is a summary of the ground covered
during a 6 month pilot study encompassing a number of aspects
of hovercraft operations. It is hoped that the experience
gained. during this period of study will enable more specific
tasks involving much more detailed analysis of particular
aspects of operations to be carried out. a) the nature of data available on past operations;
b) expected future data;
c) topics expected to yield the greatest benefits
to all parties concerned (i.e. Cranfiela, Mintech.,
the Operators and the Manufacturers, present and
prospective) both in the short and long term:
and a) manpower available.
Unfortunately the latter restriction proved more
severe than had been initially envisaged.
Fields of study considered were as follows:
(i) A study of the Problems involved in the
derivation of a Standard Method for Estimating
the Operating Costs of Hovercraft.
(ii) An attempt to Standardise the data collection
proceedures from the various current U.K. Operators.
iii) An analysis of all currently available data.
iv) An investigation into the possible use of
Automatic Data Processing techniques for the
collection and analysis of operating data.
(v) An analysis of the causes and effects of delays
and cancellations in current scheduled operations.
(vi) A study of the traffic carried on and the demand
for current scheduled services, and the effect of
varying fare structures on this.
