The TV and film making industries are set to reach new heights, thanks to an innovative new invention.

A 1950s invention which never saw the light of day has inspired an innovative new technique in filming.

Hoverwing, invented by former BBC broadcast journalist John Coakley, is a unique hovering filming platform which is set to revolutionize TV and film production. The tiny, yet extremely powerful, remote controlled aircraft can carry a High Definition camcorder and transmitter, and has the ability to hover and fly at very slow speeds.

The hovering platform will literally take TV and film to new heights, providing a bird’s eye view of fast pace sporting events like cycling, skiing, and cross country running. Hoverwing could also be used in news reporting, action dramas and in the making of pop videos.

It is hard to believe that this cutting edge technological innovation is in fact inspired by a concept developed in the 1950s.

John, who is based in Liverpool, explains:

“I was researching a science series for Channel 4, which looked at wild inventions from the 20th Century which was never actually made. While researching the series I came across the Custer Channel Wing Aircraft-an ultra high lift, low speed aircraft from the 1950s.
 
“It blasted air through a groove on each wing, and could fly at extremely low speeds. The concept failed because it would be dangerous if the engines failed. I thought this could work as a camera platform and I began developing the Hoverwing concept.”

In 2003, John sought to make his invention a reality and incorporated Hoverwing into the Campus Ventures incubator. Here he received advice on business planning, business management, and legal advice on patenting.

It is now being helped by the Liverpool Seed Fund which made a substantial investment in the company in 2005.Hoverwing has also attracted DTI Smart Award funding, a Predict award, and a Proof of Concept award from the Liverpool Seed Fund. John recently received commercialization funding from the Liverpool Seed Fund which will take the company to market readiness early next year.

As a journalist, John had little knowledge of aeronautics and enlisted the help of Professor Norman Wood, former head of aeronautics at Manchester School of Engineering.

The design of Hoverwing is being developed by JAB Design in Liverpool, in conjunction with former British Aerospace aerodynamicist John Jeffery of J2 Aircraft.
 
John said: “The design of Hoverwing has come a long way from its original concept. It is patented and we now have a fully functioning prototype which has successfully flown this year. The prototype testing is being carried out by the captain of the English national radio control pattern ship aircraft team.
“We are now in the process of building two new prototypes, both of which are very different from one another.”

Three years of total dedication have finally paid off for John, and the commercial launch of Hovercraft is set for Spring/Summer 2007.
 
“Hoverwing is a totally unique concept which offers huge potential commercially across many sectors-not just the media. What sets it apart is that it uses ducted fans with finger guards which makes it extremely safe. This gives it the ability to get really close to people. It can bump into the likes of walls or trees without damaging itself.

“It is able to bring alive high action sporting events and dramas by closely following the action in a way normal cameras can’t,” said John.

Reaching a global market, Hoverwings will be hired out to companies across a range of sectors.    
John said:

“Hiring Hoverwings could prove to be extremely lucrative as the potential to diversify into different markets is huge. There are a range of sectors which could benefit from Hoverwings, from the construction industry to Customs & Excise.

“Targeting the media first allows us to raise the profile of Hoverwing, in the hope that other markets will be drawn to it.”

July’s Merseyside Innovation Awards, in which Hoverwing was a finalist, provided the perfect opportunity for John to take stock of his progress.

He said: “To stand and present Hoverwing to fresh eyes was a very useful experience. As a lone inventor you often find yourself spending long periods of time alone and you don’t get any feedback.

“Hoverwing has completely taken over my life and it’s huge for me. It was kind of a very big moment in my life. I believed it really could work and I could make it work. It has been a big personal voyage.”