This is done by a great number of ring-shaped air jets on the bottom of the craft. It 'flies', therefore, but it cannot fly higher--its action depends on the surface, water or ground, over which it rides.The first tests on the Solent in 1959 caused a sensation. (1)_______________________. Later it crossed the Channel, riding smoothly over the waves, which presented no problem.Since that time, various types of hovercraft have appeared and taken up regular service--cruises on the Thames in London, for instance, have become an annual attraction. But we are only at the beginning of a development that may transport netsea and land transport. Christopher Cockerell's craft can establish transport works in large areas with poor communications such as Africa or Australia; (2)_______________________; and the railway of the future may well be the 'hovertrain', riding on its air cushion over a single rail, which it never touches, at speeds up to 300 m.p.h.--the possibilities appear unlimited.
