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Monday, June 24, 2013

First Philippine-made Wing-in-Ground Effect Vehicle (WIG)


A Ground Effect Vehicle (GEV) is one that attains level flight near the surface of the earth, making use of the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface known as ground effect. Most known are the Soviet ekranoplanes, but names like wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) vehicle, flarecraft, sea skimmer, SkimMachine, or wing-in-surface-effect ship (WISE) occur. In recent years a large number of different GEV types have been developed for both civilian and military use. However, these craft are yet to be put in general use.

This WIG is of a Filipino design, made and solely funded by Capt. Art Velasquez, an aeronautical engineer. It is made up of composite materials and will be the first of its kind in the Philippines if put into completion and gains operational status. As of this date it is already 80% near completion. The plane is currently assembled in Aviation Technology Innovators (ATI) hangar in Domestic Airport, Pasay City. As per the post of Mr. Manny Dela Cruz in his facebook page, WIG is not classified as aircraft and not covered by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) hence it will be covered by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). To quote, he said in his post “…best option to go direct to Boracay right at the doorstep of the resort of your choice… come to think of it 7000 plus islands, I wonder how many mmore islands like Boracay can be made accessible by this kind of craft that does not need a runway floats like a boat with a speef of an aircraft when in ground effect…”.

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3 comments:

  1. There's a big difference between an Invention and Imitation . . . Innovation maybe ... innovated design as they said ...

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  2. Congratulations Capt. Art finally some people are making their dreams a reality. At this point I can only fly paper WIG. I am really interested in seeing a Filipino made W-I-G vehicle "fly", ground effect that is. I hope your design gets approved be the president himself as alternate means of patrolling the Philippine seas!

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