P5_6 A Hovering 747

Abstract

The Halicarnassus is a highly modified 747, capable of hovering, featured in Matthew Reilly’s novel, Seven Ancient Wonders. The following paper examines this aircraft by first trying to validate its ability to hover with statistics from the components specified in the novel and then by proposing the use of solid rocket boosters instead. The feat accomplished in the novel of making the Halicarnassus hover is validated, an equation for the use of a solid fuel rocket is derived and an example of a solid rocket booster that exceeds the requirements placed upon it is found.