Abstract: A surface effect transport vehicle is provided having a structure supported by a cushion of pressurized air generated from a blower. The propulsive source of the vehicle is independent from the power source of the blower. The propulsion source includes at least one retractable propeller device adapted to be made operative during travel over the water and nonoperative during travel over land, and at least one retractable wheel device, for travelling over land or in shallow water, which is made operative when the propeller device is retracted to its nonoperaitve condition, and vice-versa. Preferably the wheel device has at least two lateral faired propellers operative when the propeller device for propulsion over water is retracted to its nonoperative position. The supported structure includes automatic controls that simultaneously controlling the lift properly speaking, the attitude of the vehicle as well as its stability when passing over an obstacle or at the time of a dynamic disturbance.