Considering a hovercraft? Fly before you buy!

Whether you’re interested in a rescue, recreational, commercial or military hovercraft, Neoteric gives you the perfect way to find out if a hovercraft is right for you before you buy one: Take a Test Flight or Flight Training & Maintenance Course. Check out this gallery of photos & comments from people who’ve done just that …

Mark Sidell, Washington USA: Recreational hovercraft

Marc’s Training Course left him even more interested in owning a recreational hovercraft.  “It was the best day, and very eye opening. And I loved the safety of being trained by someone so experienced and qualified. The Neoteric craft is versatile and you can go just about anyplace – like you can fly up a steep boat ramp. I think a hovercraft gives you a lot of independence and freedom to do things you wouldn’t dare do otherwise.”

Walt Sitz, Oregon USA: Rescue hovercraft

Walt belongs to Crisis Response International, a non-profit organization that provides rescue and relief support to humanitarian missions worldwide. Before he bought his craft, he took Neoteric’s Training Course. He said, “Hovercraft intrigued me because boats can’t get everywhere … I've been watching hovercraft for quite awhile and Neoteric kept coming up as the best one. Your reverse thrust system – you need to have that kind of control … That’s what brought us here – and we get to try it out before we buy … Training should be the first step in any vehicle. You don’t just jump in a plane and say, ‘I think I can figure it out.’”

David Olson, Minnesota USA: Commercial hovercraft

David's company, D & T Landscaping, Inc., wanted to see if a hovercraft could help his company manage environmental hazards such as blowing dust, at a major taconite mining region in Minnesota. After his Training Course, he bought two custom hovercraft designed to carry 100 gallons of dust suppression agent and a spraying system. He said, “Even if we can cover 80% of what’s not being covered today, that’s a significant improvement. It’s pretty exhilarating. It’s fun! I could see myself personally wanting one. And it’s much more stable than I anticipated.”

Alberto Torruella, Puerto Rico: Recreational & Commercial hovercraft

Alberto, in his 80s, lives on a beach, and also owns a hotel and golf course. He wanted a hovercraft to fly him over the beach and sea, but he wanted it to be a Neoteric hovercraft golf cart so he could attract business to his hotel. Before he bought his HoverGolf Cart, he took a Training Course “to see how it works out, whether I can handle it … “It was very enjoyable – and different. I used to drive motorcycles so I’m used to speed and crazy things – but not this crazy! I mean, you’re going 30 mph and all of a sudden you can spin and go backwards! Being able to fly backwards, etc. – it adds to the fun!”

Council Bluffs Fire Department, Iowa USA: Rescue hovercraft

When Council Bluffs Fire Department decided to purchase a Neoteric rescue hovercraft, their first responders immediately completed a Training Course, which included flood rescue techniques. After their training, Fire Chief Justin James reported, “It was awesome being able to operate in deep and shallow flood water without having to worry about destroying a motor or a boat. We also got to train rescuing victims that may be stranded in trees or roofs of homes due to rising waters. We simply used the craft to hover into and hold position near these real obstacles.”

Cory Lingelbach, Utah USA: Military hovercraft

Cory is a U.S. Air Force Firefighter at Hill Air Force Base. Soon after his Training Course and the purchase of two hovercraft, an Air Force F-16 jet crashed on nearby mudflats at 300 mph. The pilot, who safely ejected before the impact, was rescued via hovercraft. Cory reported, "We launched from land then hit the water then land, water, and land again. This just goes to show you the hovercraft are very versatile. We use our hovercraft on and off our base. Without the level of training sophistication that Neoteric’s Training Course provided, we would never be able to perform our missions the way we do.”

David Kallman, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services, added, "This is the first time our hovercraft were used in a real-world situation. We wouldn't have been able to get out to the crash site and rescue the pilot without them. They are state of the art. The Salt Flats are full of crevices and holes filled with water … but the hovercraft glide right over the uneven terrain and go where no other vehicles could go."

Paul Thrift, Indiana USA: Recreational hovercraft

When Paul thought about a hovercraft as a family recreational vehicle, he didn’t just call and place an order, even though he lives in the city where Neoteric is located. Instead, he signed up for a Test Flight and Training Course.  “I wouldn’t even consider getting one without this training; it’s an absolute must. And Chris was impressive beyond words, given his history and passion for it, which shines through … The day here was well worth it. Even if I didn’t go on to purchase a hovercraft, I would count the day a success and worth the money and time, just for the experience. I’d do it again just for the enjoyment! … It gives you the freedom to go wherever you want and experience the elements and spin around and not have the limitations of a wheeled or grounded vehicle. It looks like my family and I will be able to enjoy it recreationally, to access rivers and lakes, cruising, pleasure riding. My 16-year old son is especially excited about it – he thinks it’s pretty cool!”

Cory Wendt, Alaska USA: Commercial hovercraft

Cory Wendt owns a trout fishing lodge in Alaska. He and his father came to Neoteric for Test Flights to determine whether to buy a 4-passenger or 6-passenger hovercraft. After their flights, he said, “It was smoother than I expected. I didn’t expect it to be able to go through all the mud and sticks. I figured all those sticks would break up the air flow, but they didn’t … I didn’t fully have an appreciation until I drove it; it started to feel more like an aircraft. I could understand why training is important – I’d read it and heard it but didn’t really appreciate it until I was at the controls.”

Is a hovercraft right for you?

Find out with a Test Flight or Training Course ...

VIDEO: The importance of hovercraft

Watch Neoteric hovercraft in action and step inside our manufacturing facility as President Chris Fitzgerald explains the importance of hovercraft to CBS affiliate WTHI-TV …

Learn more about Neoteric Hovercraft ...

#TBT Neoteric Hovercraft video from 1991

For #ThrowbackThursday, enjoy a promotional video from 1991 featuring Neoteric's classic Questrek hovercraft ...

Watch more Neoteric Hovercraft videos ...

Custom-built Hovercraft Garage

So where do you park a hovercraft? One of our customers in Sweden has the perfect answer –
a custom-built hovergarage …

His hovergarage is complete with ramps and front and back doors for easy fly-through. You could save some money on the double doors, though, since the Neoteric craft’s reverse thrust lets it fly backward out of the garage.

But our customers don’t just build hovergarages – many of them build their actual hovercraft from a Neoteric Partially-Assembled Hovercraft Kit. Not only does a DIY hovercraft kit save you money, it gives you a great project to enjoy with friends & family.

And don’t think this is just a hobbyist activity; we have rescue and commercial customers who built their own hovercraft from kits. Here are just a couple of examples …

Walt Sitz of Oregon built his rescue HoverTrek™ from a kit so he can use it to help others. He and his aircraft business, Eagle Wings, Inc., belong to Crisis Response International, a non-profit organization that provides rescue and relief support to humanitarian missions worldwide …

The Winous Point Shooting Club in Ohio built their commercial hovercraft from a Neoteric kit. Winous Point is the oldest duck hunting club in America, and they use it to transport hunters over water, mud, sand and thin ice to suitable hunting spots ...

You can learn more about what’s involved in building a hovercraft from a kit, and see step-by-step photo galleries in the Neoteric Hovercraft HoverGarage.

So, get out your tools!  It’s a do-it-yourselfer’s dream come true … you can build your own hovercraft and build your own hovergarage to house it!

The Increasing Importance of Hovercraft

Maritime Reporter and Marine News magazines recently published an article emphasizing the need for hovercraft to play a growing role in maritime operations, due to their singular ability to travel where no other vehicle can go. Here are a few excerpts:

Extreme Applications Demand Specialist Small Craft

With 90% of world trade transported by sea then passing through ports and waterways, no amount of technology will replace the requirement for multiple small fast craft and skilled operators.

Mobility plus the ability to operate in shallow areas are critical capabilities for small craft. 

Rising Up: Hovercraft

Small hovercraft have a growing role to play in search and rescue, commercial and military operations around the world. Hovercraft can be a practical proposition for operations in areas inaccessible to other vehicles including frozen water, mud flats, intertidal areas, shallow rivers and flooded inland areas. Perceived to be environmentally sound, as they don’t exhaust into the water, create no wash and do not disturb the sea bed, they are also economical and do not endanger marine animals as there is no propeller in the water. 

###

Enjoy a few photos of Neoteric hovercraft in action around the world

that confirm these capabilities ...

Neoteric commercial hovercraft utilized in Kuwait intertidal zone

Neoteric hovercraft were used on Kuwait's intertidal zone to survey the environmental damage inflicted by the 1991 Persian Gulf War oil fires. The hovercraft was the only vehicle capable of operating on the thick mud.

Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Neoteric rescue hovercraft

The Wilkes-Barre Fire Department’s Neoteric rescue hovercraft soars over broken ice on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania during ice rescue practice. The craft’s 9-inch deep air cushion and patented reverse thrust enables it to safely maneuver over jagged, broken, snow-covered ice floes.

Neoteric rescue hovercraft deployed in 2014 Washington mudslide

Snohomish County Fire District 19’s rescue hovercraft were deployed from the initial alarm at the massive Oso, Washington mudslide. First responder Trent Nunemaker said, “Our hovercraft can navigate through floating debris and logs, so we’re able to cross the flooded valley and access the debris field. These Neoteric craft are able to quickly and safely access almost any environment.”

Finally, you’ve probably seen the viral video of the Neoteric craft rescuing three exhausted deer, stranded on the ice for days on Albert Lea Lake in Minnesota - but it's worth watching again! 

As the media reported, "Hovercraft are kind of a genius idea here ... Boats and jet skis are pretty useless on ice and snowmobiles fall through ice if it won't hold their weight. Hovercraft can fly over any surface, so they save many lives. If you fall through the ice, or get sucked into mud or quicksand, better hope someone locally has a hovercraft handy."

Neoteric manufactures ordnance detection / mapping hovercraft for Tetra Tech

Sometimes a commercial hovercraft is the only vehicle that can get the job done. And, as Tetra Tech discovered, often a Neoteric HoverTrek is the only hovercraft suitable for the job.

Based in California, Tetra Tech is a global consulting, engineering, construction management and technical services firm with 14,000 employees and 330 offices worldwide. Tetra Tech also provides disaster management and Homeland Security services; it has responded to more than 2,000 chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events, as well as natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tornados. Their clients vary from small local public agencies and private companies to multi-national corporations and national governments.

When Tetra Tech was contracted to conduct a major ordnance detection and mapping project in the Caribbean that involves equipment transport and detection over fragile coral reefs, the company’s Senior Geophysicist, Richard Funk and Ordnance Removal Specialist David Bennett came to Neoteric to test the capabilities of our craft and undergo pilot training at Hovercraft Training Centers.

Tetra Tech personnel complete pilot training at Hovercraft Training Centers. From left: HTC Flight Instructor Steve Stafford; Richard Funk; HTC Senior Flight Instructor/Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald; and David Bennett.

After a challenging day of training on the ice-encrusted Wabash River, Funk and Bennett felt even more strongly that the HoverTrek was up to the tasks facing Tetra Tech – especially when they learned that Neoteric would custom-build their craft to be fitted with one-of-a-kind equipment specially developed by Tetra Tech.

As Funk explained, “The hovercraft is for going places you can’t go with conventional craft, places that are too shallow for a boat, places you can’t walk. I develop systems for detecting munitions. We try to push it to the next level so we can go places other people can’t go.”

Tetra Tech’s Neoteric hovercraft has definitely reached the next level, equipped with special systems such as the TEMA – a Tetra Tech in-house developed Time domain ElectroMagnetic induction Array, essentially a large metal detector. Richard Funk describes the unique capabilities of the TEMA: “Unlike a magnetometer, the TEMA is an active sensor that can detect all metals (not just ferro-magnetic ones like a magnetometer). Another advantage of an active electromagnetic sensor is that it is focused and is not adversely affected by nearby metal structures, such as piers, bulkheads, bridges, etc.”

He continues, “The first job that the new hovercraft will work on is surveying over coral reefs in the Caribbean in search of military munitions (MEC/UXO – Munitions & Explosives of Concern/Unexploded Ordnance). Tetra Tech developed this system to go where no boat can go, and where sensitive habitat is only inches below the water surface.”

Here, the TEMA prototype is tested by Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald on an HTC Neoteric training hovercraft …

The customizations Neoteric performed on Tetra Tech’s hovercraft included: Mounting points for the TEMA sensor array, mounts for the TEMA electronic modules, mounts for the pilot’s display and for the data collector’s display, three TEMA battery mounts, a table for the data collector, two GPS antenna mounts and a bimini top.

Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald completes performance testing of the Tetra Tech hovercraft on the Wabash River.

Interior view of the Tetra Tech hovercraft, showing many of its customizations.

Tetra Tech is a company with a strong focus on sustainability. Their stated mission is to “’meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,’ as proposed by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development.” The pairing of the Neoteric hovercraft’s low environmental footprint with the TEMA system is an excellent example of how the perfect vehicle for the job can also be the perfect vehicle for the environment, allowing personnel to work safely and efficiently while protecting coral reefs and sensitive habitat.

The Tetra Tech Caribbean ordnance detection project is just the beginning. We look forward to bringing you more news and photos about the accomplishments of Tetra Tech and their specialized hovercraft. As Richard Funk reports, “We plan on using our hovercraft with many other sensor systems, including bathymetric and laser line scanners.”

Learn more about Tetra Tech at www.tetratech.com

See a photo gallery of the construction and testing of Tetra Tech’shovercraft …

Neoteric Hovercraft rides & tours in south Florida

All Florida Watersports, Inc. on Marco Island, Florida, specializes in WaveRunner and parasailing experiences. But they were looking for something to spice up their business – and a Neoteric Hovercraft filled the bill.

Owner Ryan Peacock says, “We were looking for something a bit different. We started looking on the web, and there you guys were – something to do other than WaveRunners and typical boat rentals.”

All Florida Watersports’ Neoteric Hovertrek™ on Marco Island

After ordering a 6-passenger Neoteric commercial hovercraft, Ryan and his coworkers learned to fly and maintain their craft at Hovercraft Training Centers. As he said, “The first step is to know what a hovercraft does and how it operates.”

Ryan Peacock (2nd from left), and his crew complete HTC training with instructor Steve Stafford (3rd from left).

After their training, the team was were impressed with the Hovertrek’s ease of operation, it’s maneuverability, and the smoothness of its transitions: “It’s just incredible how there’s no transition; from land to water you don’t feel a thing – it’s amazing!”

The Neoteric Hovertrek™ flies safely and easily over most any surface.

Ryan says their new hovercraft will add a whole new dimension to their business. “We’re going to do commercial rides and tours. Now we’ll be able to land on beaches and islands. It’s just a completely different niche that’s never been done here.”

It isn’t easy for an amphibious vehicle to impress a group of guys who have been in the waterbound tourist trade for 25 years, who say they “eat, drink and sleep watersports” … but the Neoteric Hovertrek™ certainly did. Just imagine how their customers are going to react!

See how you react: Take a Neoteric hovercraft Test Flight at Hovercraft Training Centers.

And read more comments from our commercial hovercraft customers.

Hovercraft Mean Business

Say “hovercraft” and the first word that comes to most people’s minds is “fun.” But hovercraft are much more than that. Besides saving lives in rescue operations, Neoteric hovercraft are used throughout the world in a wide variety of critical commercial operations - including oil spill cleanup, environmental restoration, gold mining, mosquito control, wildlife conservation and commercial fishing.

All these uses have one common factor: these Neoteric commercial hovercraft are all expertly operated and maintained by pilots trained at Hovercraft Training Centers.

As one example, meet James Walker, an HTC-trained commercial hovercraft pilot for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., the largest provider of dredging services in the U.S. 

Here, James Walker and his team learn to conduct a preflight inspection during their HTC training,

adjusting rudders for maximum precision during flight.

James’ training and GLLD’s Neoteric hovercraft soon proved their value in an environmental restoration project on Pelican Island, a key barrier island off the coast of Louisiana. Pelican Island, one of American’s richest fisheries, is crucial for protecting Louisiana citizens and property against storm surges, but it has one of the highest rates of wetlands loss in the world.

“If one block of New York City disappeared every hour, the nation would be outraged,” states Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond. “Well, Louisiana loses a football field of wetlands every hour, which is crippling the state and the nation. It affects our seafood supply, gas and oil reserves, and storm protection. Reversing this trend is a critical national priority.”

With the help of James and GLDD’s Neoteric Hovercraft, the Pelican Island project is creating more than 580 acres and 3 miles of new dunes and marshland for the people of Louisiana.

Read more about James and other HTC-trained commercial hovercraft pilots

… and you’ll never again think of hovercraft as just for fun.

HoverWorld Insider newsletter now online

If you haven't subscribed to HoverWorld Insider, the World Hovercraft Organization's newsletter, you're missing out! There's no better way to stay connected to the global hovercraft community. The newsletter is published quarterly and with your free subscription you'll receive an email linking to the complete online version with photos, videos and full coverage of hovercraft news and events from around the world. Subscribe here

But don't just read - get involved. The World Hovercraft Organization asks all hovercraft users to keep them updated on their activities and news, and also let them know what you'd like to read in the Insider. Just send your email to Insider@WorldHovercraft.org.

Here's a brief review of the featured articles in the May 2013 issue of HoverWorld Insider:

Bubba’s Hover: A Global Boost for the Hovercraft Industry

Read the backstory of how a quirky brainstorm from the NYC viral video agency Thinkmodo and golf pro Bubba Watson's sponsor, Oakley, evolved from a quick napkin drawing to a top secret production to an internet sensation. After what he calls a "media tsunami", Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, who manufactured Bubba's BW1 hovercraft golf cart, has been flooded with calls from prospective buyers worldwide and expects the publicity blitz to have lasting effects throughout the industry.

The tsunami is best illustrated by the Bubba's Hover case study from Thinkmodo's website:



"The absolutely fantastic thing is that it is spreading the word that this technology exists and it can be used for doing lots of different things," Fizgerald explains. "I've been in this business for 50 years. You can pull your hair out trying to figure out how to get the information out ... In one fell swoop this has introduced light hovercraft to the world."

Mike Glanville, owner of U.K.-based manufacturer HovPod calls Bubba's Hover "the hovercraft scoop of the century," adding, "The viral effect of the story has given hovercraft in general a boost and we are eternally grateful."    Read the full story with photos and videos in HoverWorld Insider online ...

World's First Hovercraft Flight Academy

Hovercraft Training Centers LLC has launched its flagship location in Terre Haute, Indiana USA, offering light hovercraft flight training and maintenance instruction for rescue, military, commercial and recreational hovercraft pilots worldwide. HTC also offers franchise opportunities, a great way to make your next venture a true adventure and to get in on the ground floor of an expanding international industry. Read the full story in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Visit the Hovercraft Training Centers website

and follow HTC on Facebook and Twitter.

Hovercraft in Rescue Operations

The Mansfield Fire Department in Texas has joined the ranks of first responders throughout the world who can now fly across any surface in a state-of-the-art hovercraft. Read what first responders have to say about hovercraft making their rescue missions faster, safer and more successful in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Hovercraft in Commercial Operations

Canair Hovercraft manufactured light commercial hovercraft in Canada from 1988-2000 and produced only seven of its largest model - the Canair 512. Now two of them are finding new life in the tourism industry, with Cool Breeze Hovercraft Tours, opening this summer in Iowa USA and Hovertours Bremerhaven, soon to launch its second season in Germany. Read the full story with photos in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Hovercraft in Military Operations

The U.S. Navy plans to replace its fleet of LCACs (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) with the newly-developed SSC (Ship-to-Shore Connector); the U.S. and South Korea recently conducted joint military drills with light and heavy hovercraft in an atmosphere of heightened tensions; China has purchased four Zubr-class LCACs from state-owned Ukrainian arms dealer Ikroboronprom ... read the full stories with photos in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Hovercraft in Sport and Recreation

Every issue of the Insider includes a full listing of upcoming local, regional, national and international hovercraft events, along with reviews and photos/videos of recent events. See what's happening this summer in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Hovercraft in Education

Auburn University's Hovering Tigers bested the University of Alabama's Hoverteam on April 27 in the inaugural University Hoverbowl Challenge, the world's first intercollegiate hovercraft race. Read the full story with photos in HoverWorld Insider online ...

Hovercraft Manufacturer News

Every issue of the Insider publishes the latest news from hovercraft manufacturers throughout the world. Read the current news in HoverWorld Insider online ...

The next issue of HoverWorld Insider will be published in September.

Don't miss out! Subscribe now

Can I build a hovercraft from a kit?

All you need is a Neoteric partially assembled hovercraft kit and you can easily build your own hovercraft. This is the only production hovercraft available in do-it-yourself kits. Not only does a DIY hovercraft save you 25% off the price of a manufactured hovercraft, it gives you a great project to enjoy with family or friends.

The kit hovercraft is easy to assemble because much of the work has already been completed at the factory and the kits come with full hovercraft assembly instructions, including a DVD. It takes about 40 hours to finish and all you need are basic workshop skills, a work area about the size of a one-car garage, and common hand tools such as an electric drill, a pop rivet gun, a set of screwdrivers and sets of open-ended and allen wrenches.

Our customers have built personal hovercraft, as well as commercial and rescue hovercraft, from our partially assembled kits. A few examples …

Dirk Lohry built his recreational hovercraft from a Neoteric kit. He lives on a lake in South Dakota and his hovercraft lets him fly for the first time on the lake in winter over thin and broken ice. Read Dirk’s comments and see a photo gallery of his experience building a hovercraft ...

The Butler Group Co. Ltd. in Phuket, Thailand built their commercial hovercraft from a kit ...

Another commercial hovercraft builder is the Winous Point Shooting Club. The Club is a part of the Winous Point Marsh Conservancy on the shores of Lake Erie in Point Clinton, Ohio and is the oldest duck hunting club in America. Their hovercraft is used to transport hunters over water, mud, sand and thin ice to suitable hunting spots. Follow along as they assemble the hovercraft …

You can learn more about what’s involved in building a hovercraft and see step-by-step photo galleries from our customers in the Neoteric Hovercraft HoverGarage.

Questions about building a hovercraft? Just leave a comment!