Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft set to fly at FDIC International

Neoteric is ready to go! Are you ready to join us tomorrow at FDIC Outdoor Booth 19403 to see the most versatile rescue apparatus available? Come watch a Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft in action and see why it’s the safest, quickest way to rescue water, swift water, ice, mud and flood victims.

Here are three Neoteric Hovercraft leaving our manufacturing facility this morning in Terre Haute, Indiana on their way to the 2022 FDIC International in Indianapolis …

And here’s a closer look at the newest Neoteric model, the Hovertrek II, powered exclusively by the Briggs & Stratton Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40.0 Gross HP EFI marine engine. The new engine delivers significant fuel savings, higher horsepower and less noise and vibration, without adding extra weight. You can be one of the first to closely examine the new Neoteric Hovertrek II tomorrow through Saturday at the FDIC …

You’ll also have a chance to meet some fire departments who rely on Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft. On Thursday, firefighters from Michigan’s North Muskegon Fire Department will join us. North Muskegon has relied on Neoteric Hovercraft for nearly four decades, and says “Our hovercraft have saved more lives that all our fire engines combined. Since 1985, more than 255 people have been rescued from Muskegon area lakes using the hovercraft. More than half of them would have drowned not having the hovercraft as a safe rescue tool."

North Muskegon Fire Department's Neoteric Hovercraft

Then on Saturday, come meet firefighters from Indiana’s Brownstown Fire Department. Here, the department shows how easily their Neoteric Hovercraft flies from water to land …

And here we are this evening at our FDIC Outdoor Booth 19403, ready to welcome you tomorrow and answer all your questions about rescue hovercraft …

In his inspiring speech today at the FDIC International Opening Ceremony, FDIC Education Director Bobby Halton said, “We are living in very serious times; some say we are going through hard times. Amid these hard times, there is a robust and spirited tactical debate happening in the fire service. It surrounds the needs of victims, their rescue, firefighter safety, and operations.”

 We hope you’ll visit us at the FDIC to see that this is exactly what Neoteric Hovercraft are all about: increasing firefighter and victim safety and improving rescue operations.

Learn more about Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft ...

New Neoteric Hovercraft Powered by Briggs & Stratton Marine Engine

The newest Neoteric Hovercraft – the Hovertrek II – will be exclusively powered by Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40.0 Gross HP EFI – marine engine.

The Hovertrek II was designed with affordability, controllability and sustainability in mind as Neoteric continues to provide rescue agencies worldwide, as well as recreational and commercial customers, with the only hovercraft available that can brake and fly in reverse.  

The craft's design features many of the advantages and innovations brought to market by Neoteric over the years, including side-by-side seating, increased thrust and low weight. 

Neoteric turned to Vanguard’s electronic fuel injection (EFI) technology to optimize fuel injection and spark timing to deliver significant fuel savings, greater efficiency and higher productivity. Those who purchase a Hovertrek II will also have access to the expansive Briggs & Stratton service dealer network.

“The Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40HP EFI marine engine is an ideal power source for this craft because it allows us to expand into markets with more stringent environmental regulations,” said Chris Fitzgerald, president of Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. “Briggs & Stratton also has a robust global network of dealers that guarantees technical support pretty much anywhere in the world. That level of access is a real feather in our cap when it comes to supporting our hoverpilots and addressing their customer service needs promptly.”

The durable 40HP EFI engine delivers optimized performance for marine applications and utilizes V-Twin OHV Technology for better fuel economy and higher horsepower without adding excess weight. The Hovertrek II is used for transportation on a variety of surfaces, including water, sand, mud, grass, swamp, marsh, flat desert, ice and snow, and the 40HP EFI marine engine delivers fuel more efficiently to ensure a smooth performance at all elevations and in all temperatures. The engine is also equipped with features to minimize noise and vibrations while maximizing productivity to ensure quick, reliable starts in all weather conditions.

“We are excited to partner with Neoteric on the Hovertrek II with the BIG BLOCK 40HP EFI engine providing the proven power, durability and efficiency needed to help Neoteric break into new markets,” Amy West, Marketing Manager for Briggs & Stratton, said. “As a power solutions provider, Vanguard is committed to working closely with OEMs to achieve their equipment goals through cutting-edge technology advancements and versatile product offerings to meet a wide variety of application needs.” 

The enhanced controllability, storage capacity and low weight of the two-passenger vessel make it an ideal training vehicle for first responders and rescue units as they teach individuals how to operate a hovercraft for rescue missions. All the unique features of the Hovertrek II and low cost combined with the power of the BIG BLOCK 40HP EFI marine engine offers hovercraft pilots a safe and reliable ride no matter what surface they encounter.

ATTN: FIRST RESPONDERS:

 See the Neoteric Hovertrek II and its new engine

April 28-30 at the Fire Department Instructors Conference

(FDIC International) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Neoteric will hold live hovercraft demos at Outdoor Demo Booth 19403.

IN THE NEWS: Oak Island Water Rescue Team's new Neoteric Hovercraft

The State Port Pilot
Southport, North Carolina

By Lee Hinnant, Jan. 20, 2021

Oak Island Water Rescue has acquired a hovercraft specially designed for use by emergency responders.

The department is now among the few in the Southeast with such a tool. Made by Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. of Terre Haute, Indiana, the craft weighs a mere 480 pounds but can lift a payload of 800 pounds, said Tony Young, Water Rescue Chief. Responders hope it will be of service when someone gets in trouble in the area’s numerous marshes. In the past, responders have struggled to reach stranded kayakers using a jon boat. In one instance, it took the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office airboat to get to victims grounded on the mud flats and surrounded by beds of sharp-shelled oysters.

 “The beauty of this is that you can go from the marsh to the beach,” Young said. “It’s the next best thing to having a helicopter.”

The hovercraft uses one-third of its power to lift the craft; the rest provides thrust. Powered by a German-made two-stroke motor designed for small airplanes, the hovercraft has only 65-horsepower but can go as fast as 60 mph under ideal conditions, such as on ice.

“What makes this unique for rescue is that it has thrust reversers to stop, spin around or go backwards,” Young said.

The specialized skirts around the edges of the hovercraft hold it on a cushion of air. The skirts must be maintained and kept clean to work at their best.

It takes at least 30 hours of training to learn to pilot the hovercraft. Simple actions, such as leaning too far one way or sticking an arm out while under power can affect the sensitive steering. “It’s tricky,” Young said. “It’s not like driving a boat. We’re taking bets on who puts the first scratch on it.”

Young said an anonymous donor contributed the $60,000 needed for the hovercraft. The same donor also made a substantial contribution toward repairing the station from the damage caused by Hurricane Isaias last August.

Work on the station has slowed and Water Rescue is discussing the possibility of adding a second floor for offices and using the downstairs portion as a garage and workshop. Members expect to have a contractor on the job by next month.

With the support from the community, the Town of Oak Island and Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. the team was also able to replace an aging surf boat with a newer, slightly larger model with a tougher aluminum hull.

The storm took a toll on the station, but members said they’re building back better than ever, with a lot of help from donors.

“The community really came together to support us,” said team member Melissa Wilson. “The storm was a blessing in disguise.”

 #

Learn more about Neoteric Hovercraft ...

Neoteric Hovercraft Adventure on Alaska’s Yukon River

 Approximately 450 miles northwest of Anchorage, you’ll find the Anvik River Lodge, the only lodge on the entire 120+ mile Anvik River. Owner Clifford Hickson and his family are now celebrating the 25^th season of the most remote fishing lodge in Alaska – and likely in the world.

But Cliff’s sense of adventure expands beyond owning a lodge in the Alaskan wilderness!

 There’s nothing like a hovercraft to expand an already adventurous life. Cliff Hickson gives you a fine example with the story of his recent 750 mile 3-day trip on the Yukon River from Nenana, Alaska to his lodge – his first experience flying a hovercraft.

Left to right: Cliff Hickson, daughter Alyson, wife Cheryl and son Blair.

Cliff’s hovercraft adventure, in his own words …

“Several years ago, while talking to a close friend that operates a surplus military hovercraft in Bethel, Alaska to deliver freight and mail on the Kuskokwim Delta, I became intrigued with the potential applications for our remote operation in Western Alaska.

My wife and I visited a hovercraft shop in Washington and, after spending weeks studying and watching about every video on YouTube associated with flying and operating the hovercraft I decided to get one. I looked at all the typical sites that list them for sale, and ended up finding a used Neoteric Hovercraft in Alaska that we decided to purchase.

After a month in transit it arrived in Anchorage, where I flew to get it and begin a 750 mile trip down the Yukon River to our Anvik River Lodge. I had never actually been on a hovercraft or ever thought about flying one. But due to the time of season and scheduling it became apparent that it would be necessary to bring it down myself. 

Knowing the reputation of the Neoteric Hovercraft I felt confident that it could be an extraordinary  and safe adventure. After all, it only had 18 hours of use!”

Cliff’s Neoteric Hovercraft is a pre-owned model built from a Neoteric Hovercraft kit.

“After determining the distance between villages and calculating fuel consumption, I made a plan and determined my weight and balance. It was fairly simple: I would carry 52 gallons of fuel (353 lbs.) as backup in the event I couldn't fuel up at villages where I planned to stop, myself (220 lbs.), tools and personal equipment, 2 gallons of drinking water and a bucket of fried chicken. Total weight = approximately 707 lbs. Incidentally, the entire trip took about 160-170 gallons of fuel.

With the help of a friend, I then drove to the town of Nenana (approx. 233 miles north of Anchorage) located on the Nenana River and went to the boat ramp. I still had not yet flown a hovercraft, so I loaded about a third of my gear and fuel and took it for a spin - literally.

After about 10 minutes practicing getting over the hump and maneuvering, I loaded another third of my gear and gave it a go. It was a bit more cumbersome, but doable. I took it once more around the patch and returned to the ramp and loaded the rest of my gear.”

Practice makes perfect: Cliff makes trial runs before he begins his 750 mile trip.

“I thanked my buddy for the ride and embarked on my Yukon River trip about 9:00 a.m. on September 2, 2020 and the day was bright and clear. It took me a while to get over that hump, and luckily I found a flat gravel bar to give me some lift. Once I was up I stayed on it until it was time to refill the 12-gallon fuel tank. I had to run about 6500 rpm as my typical cruise speed, possibly due to the replaced tachometer maybe not calibrated for the engine. That jury is still out.”

Cliff launches his hovercraft on the Yukon River and the adventure begins.

“My first fuel stop was the village of Tanana on the Yukon River. It was late afternoon and I had earlier arranged for fuel in all the villages where I stopped. When I arrived I learned the store owner and his wife also had a hovercraft, so I found camaraderie there along with fuel and conversation on hovercraft operation. That night was a hard freeze and he graciously allowed me to stay in a vacant cabin located by the river.”

Two hovercraft on shore at the village of Tanana.

“The next morning, I fueled up and departed early, around 9:00, due to the cold temps and moisture. Once it started to warm there were numerous fog banks, and because I had a GPS with good detail I pushed on. I went through one particular bank that reduced my visibility significantly, so I was barely hovering and following close to the bank when I came upon a stump. Unable to steer around it I found myself perched up on it and at a very muddy location.”

In the dense fog, Cliff’s hovercraft gets stuck on a tree stump.

“That was when I figured out the great design and importance of the Neoteric Hovercraft’s quick and easy skirt removal and repair. Of course, I had to empty the hovercraft and move it back to a flat spot to gain mobility again. I learned a good lesson there. 

As I continued further down the river towards my next fuel stop, I passed through incredibly beautiful wildlife refuges where moose and wolves could be seen along the river. The wildlife and view were exquisite. During the trip, sunset was 11:30 p.m. and sunrise 4:30 a.m. and it was never totally dark, so there was plenty of time to enjoy the view. I consider myself very fortunate to be one the few people who are lucky enough to experience such wonders.

I finally made it to the Yukon River Lodge where I was able to get more fuel, and visit with the owner who was very helpful. And I met several other villagers who were also headed downriver for a memorial service.

This day was fairly rainy and cold and for parts of the trip I had to deal with wind and 1 ft. waves. I pressed on until just before dark, when I found a gravel bar with a huge pile of accumulated driftwood and I built a pretty sizable fire that I kept going all night. It allowed me to stay warm and dry at least on half my body most of the time.” 

Cliff spends the night on a sandbar in the wilderness along the Yukon River.

“The next day I continued to the village of Nulato where I met an old friend who agreed to get me fuel from the local station. The villages along the river are very careful to allow anyone to enter because of the current Covid-19 pandemic. But I got fuel, and he also gave me some hot coffee, some Pilot Crackers and fish strips - a staple in the villages, and a finer meal can’t be found!”

Cliff’s hovercraft serves as a snack bar for his Pilot Crackers and fish strips!

The riverfront at the village of Nulato, where Cliff was warmly welcomed.

“I then continued on for the last leg of the trip to the Village of Anvik. My son Blair and friend / head guide Nick had been asked to bring fuel to the mouth of the river and meet me for the last 75 miles up the Anvik River to our lodge. We met just upriver of the village of Grayling and they had brought more food and fuel. We decided in the interest of weight that they would carry my personal gear and excess fuel.

Now the real adventure begins. Late in the day when we were all heading to the mouth of the Anvik River, an unfortunate situation happened. I was taking the shallow most direct route and they were not able to follow me. I was dipping behind islands and across mud flats, and just at sunset ran out of fuel on the opposite side of the Yukon.

I called on my sat phone and gave my predicament, but while waiting for the guys to show up, fell asleep while drifting in the middle of the river. I thought for sure I would hear the engine of the boat, but when I finally awoke it was almost midnight, and I had drifted about 18 miles past Anvik  I called again and decided that it was best to just wait until the next day. By the way, it was freezing again and I was very cold. 

The next morning, September 5, 2020, the guys showed up and we made the last 75 mile run to the lodge, arriving around 1:00 p.m.. I was happy to get home for a nap!” 

Cliff was welcomed home by everyone at Anvik River Lodge – including the wildlife!

“I’m interested in the possibility of a larger hovercraft as I’m exploring the potential of a new experience for our guests. I’m experienced in building airplanes and boats, so I can apply these skills to repairing this hovercraft. The last aircraft that I rebuilt made the cover of “Vintage Aircraft Magazine” (June 2002). I would probably be interested in a kit that I could build myself.

 I did get our new skirt and installed it, then my wife and I took about a 80 mile trip up the Anvik River and it was great. This was the day before we got sick. At the end of hunting season the last hunters we had exposed us to the Covid virus and the entire lodge got it. We are all healed now, but there was a period of recovery for a couple of weeks. It’s an ugly virus, and we are glad to put it behind us.”

Adventure is nothing new to Cliff. He’s owned avocado farms in Florida, and owns homes in the Florida Keys and Bahamas, which he’s in the process of repairing after they were damaged in Hurricane Dorian.

He’s an aircraft pilot, a ship captain and owns a 65 ft. trawler. He was an Olympic swimmer and a surfer. He taught himself carpentry and at age 21 he moved to Alaska to experience a frontiersman’s life. There, he built school houses from kits that were transported by ship along the coast. On one of his trips, in the cold Bering Sea, a storm caused 30 ft. waves and his boat sank. The captain drowned, but Cliff and four others managed to get to shore. The incident caused lifelong damage to his feet.

But regardless of his venturesome background, Cliff says his hovercraft trip “was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done – enjoyable beyond words!”

And his wife Cheryl adds, "Not only was this the first time he'd ever been on a hovercraft, he'll be 66 years old this month and he had open heart surgery in late January of 2019. So, holy cow, nothing will slow him down!"

The Anvik River Lodge: Home sweet home for Cliff and his Neoteric Hovercraft.

We at Neoteric congratulate Cliff for his daring undertaking, and we thank him for sending us the details of his adventure. Reading the story of his highly unusual hovercraft delivery was enjoyable and helps us to imagine the experience. We’re quite pleased that you happened upon a Neoteric Hovercraft and were successful in flying it 750 miles home to your lodge!

 Clifford Hickson visited Neoteric Hovercraft on Nov. 6, 2020 and met with the company President Chris Fitzgerald.

Dreaming of an adventure of your own?

 Launch your dream with a Test Flight or Flight Training on a Neoteric hovercraft!

And check out Anvik River Lodge

Texas attorney buys hovercraft to help with flood rescues

Retirement planning has taken an interesting turn for Myall Hawkins, an intellectual property attorney in Houston, Texas. Two major factors played an important role in that turn:

 1) The dramatically rising risk of flooding and 2) The effectiveness of Neoteric Hovercraft in flood rescue operations.

Myall says, “I’m 64 and gearing up for what I want to do when I retire. So I thought, how can I help others? In recent years we’ve had major catastrophic floods in Texas, and predictions say we’re facing even more flooding and it will be more severe. So my thoughts turned to how I might provide assistance.”

He’s absolutely correct. The National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Association reports that 2019 was a record-breaking year of flooding and they expect that every year for decades to come will break the record over and over again.

What led Myall Hawkins to hovercraft?

Myall explains, “I live in a gulf county and from any storm coming in from the gulf coast, we’re going to be impacted first. Our first responders get overloaded. In 2017 with Hurricane Harvey, the Cajun Navy came in. Our Louisiana neighbors came in with flat bottom boats, airboats, cruisers, whatever they could.

“I became interested in how I could help. I bought an inflatable boat that’s good for some flooding events. But when I talked to first responders, they had plenty to say about the problems with boats in flood rescues, the main one being that outboard motors and propellers are easily damaged or lost. During Harvey, boats capsized and rescuers had to be rescued. 

“And most flooding is residential, so you often have one neighborhood under several feet of water, the next neighborhood may have hardly any, and in between the two are dry streets. So if you had a boat, you could only go so far.

“So I started researching flood rescue equipment that can handle swift water, shallow and deep flood water, and transition between grass, mud, sand, water and other surfaces – and came across hovercraft. I didn’t know anything about them, so I started searching online. There were different hovercraft companies out there, but I quickly learned that most first responders use Neoteric rescue hovercraft.”

Why a Neoteric hovercraft?

His next question was why most fire departments and rescue agencies choose Neoteric hovercraft. He says, “I discovered it’s because it’s the lightest weight. It’s got the highest horsepower. And it’s got reverse thrust, giving it maneuverability that’s just phenomenal. You can brake, turn, fly backwards, hover in place and fly easily right up to victims. No other hovercraft can do all that.”

After his thorough research, Myall purchased a pre-owned 6-passenger Neoteric rescue hovercraft. His first step after that was to undergo flight and maintenance training at Neoteric. “I would never operate a hovercraft without proper training,” he says. “That would be really foolish.”

Here, Myall learns to fuel his hovercraft as he begins his flight training with Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald at the Wabash River in Terre Haute, Indiana …

Myall’s training was his first experience in a hovercraft. His reaction? “Flying a Neoteric is phenomenal! You definitely don’t experience its capabilities until you get out on the hovercraft. You can read about it, you can see a video and that’s nice, but then you fly it yourself and oh, yeah, I can just imagine what we can do with this. It definitely is a performance machine.”

One aspect Myall noted was the hovercraft’s easy transition between different surfaces. “We went down the boat ramp and onto the water at a decent speed and you don’t feel the transition at all – it’s completely smooth – even going sideways. I was really surprised.” …

Back at Neoteric headquarters after successfully completing his flight training, Myall (left) receives his certification from President Chris Fitzgerald ...

What comes next?

After Hurricane Harvey, Myall reports that many civilians in Texas have come together to assist in flood rescue efforts, and he plans to join them. Numerous websites have been set up where these volunteers can list their equipment, their training, their location, and what they can do, then first responders call on them for help.

In the meantime, Myall explains, “My hovercraft was built in 2011. My next step is to have Neoteric upgrade it with current rescue features. I’ve told Chris I don’t want it quickly, I want it right, so whatever it needs, let’s do it. Then I’ll have it shipped to me in Texas.”

“Now that I’ve finished my initial standard training,” he says, “when the hovercraft is shipped to me, I’ll get more hours of experience in it, then come back for second level rescue training. So that’s my goal: get hours on the craft, get very comfortable with its operation, undergo rescue training and hopefully help save lives in future flooding.”

And a side benefit is that when Myall's hovercraft is not in use as a flood rescue vehicle, he can always enjoy it as a recreational hovercraft for river cruising, fishing and much more!

The importance of hovercraft in the future

There are few places on Earth where flooding is not a growing concern. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States, and of all U.S. weather-related disasters, floods are the main cause of death. The National Weather Service reports that 2019 was the wettest year in recorded history - 124 years -  and the frequency and intensity of floods will continue to increase.

Hovercraft are a critical rescue apparatus for flood rescue operations. As Myall Hawkins – along with first responders in more than 50 nations - have recognized, the Neoteric rescue hovercraft, with its exclusive patented reverse thrust, greatly tops the maneuverability of other hovercraft on the market. It performs safely in debris-filled, shallow, fast-flowing flood water and allows rapid up-close access to victims while keeping first responders above the danger – not in it.

The Mansfield Fire Department in Texas, who operates a Neoteric rescue hovercraft, sums it up quite accurately:  “The benefit of having the hovercraft is we do not have to send our personnel into the water to retrieve victims. It can also hover over logs, car tires and any other debris, unlike boats that could be a hazard in flood water. A hovercraft is the answer to a faster rescue – a safer rescue.”

FIRST RESPONDERS:

Experience first-hand what a Neoteric hovercraft can do for you:

Take a Test Flight or Flight Training Course

SNEAK PEAK: Neoteric episode of “Aaron Needs a Job” with Aaron Kaufman

As we posted earlier, Neoteric Hovercraft will be featured in an upcoming episode of Discovery Channel’s Aaron Needs a Job, starring the famous TV personality Aaron Kaufman from Fast ‘N’ Loud. In his all-new docuseries, Aaron explores mechanical worlds he’s never before seen or experienced as he takes you across the country to explore motor-driven industries.

Now, let’s give you a sneak peak of the Neoteric episode with some behind-the-scenes photos of the filming that took place at Neoteric’s headquarters in Terre Haute, Indiana …

You can see Aaron’s excitement about being at Neoteric in this photo with Steve Stafford, Flight Instructor and founder of Project H.E.R.O. (Hovercraft Emergency Response Operations) …

Aaron says his interest in hovercraft began as a child. “When I was a little kid I was always into trouble. I had this old dog named Ugly and a wagon, and I found some helicopter plans in Popular Mechanics so me and Ugly went sniffing around the neighborhood digging up what I deemed to be future helicopter parts. But they didn’t materialize into helicopter parts - because they weren’t helicopter parts. So I set my sights on hovercraft, and went around the neighborhood collecting hovercraft parts. As you can imagine, I never hovered or crafted. So it’s really neat to be standing now in a hovercraft facility!”

His excitement continued as company President Chris Fitzgerald showed Aaron how the Neoteric hovercraft’s patented reverse thrust buckets work …

As he learned how to build a Neoteric hovercraft, Aaron observed, “This isn’t mass production – these hovercraft are made specifically for each customer. I’m such a big fan of this type of production, where you’ve got a small number of employees putting their heart into whatever they do. And it’s a thing I can relate to, in my world of manufacturing; we have a small team and we love what we do and we keep things manageable.” 

In addition to learning and participating in Neoteric’s manufacturing procedures, Aaron also had the chance to operate a “hovering billiard ball”, one of 15 created for the U.S. comedian Gallagher – although Gallagher’s were built with a billiard ball top, not attached on this model …

After his time in the factory, Aaron spent the rest of the day learning to pilot a hovercraft on the Wabash River with President Chris Fitzgerald. Here, he readies for his first-ever hovercraft flight …

You can see more photos at the gallery link below. And check in with us often here and on Facebook – we’ll have lots more photos and videos of the filming for you before and after the Discovery Channel 10:00 p.m. Monday, September 9 air date of the Aaron Needs a Job episode featuring Neoteric. 

In the meantime, you might want to watch the show’s premiere episode, “What’s Old is New”, where Aaron tests a restored Sherman tank and fires the cannon, braves the dangers of coal mining and works on a steam train that has run for 150 years.

And don’t miss tonight’s episode, “Salvaging Speed”, where he flies an F-18 fighter jet, shreds old vehicles and takes on the world of tires at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel.

SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY ....

Neoteric featured in new Discovery Channel series

Wildly popular Fast ‘N’ Loud star Aaron Kaufman is stepping out of his comfort zone in a big way as he dives headfirst into mechanical worlds he's never experienced before … including the world of Neoteric Hovercraft! 

In a new Discovery Channel series, Aaron Needs a Job, Kaufman takes you on a wild ride around the country as he explores exciting motor-driven industries. He says, “I quit my job and walked away from Fast 'N’ Loud to pursue my passion for racing…and it nearly broke the bank…I am exploring the country in search of incredible places, industry and people that keep America running.”

Aaron and his film crew are at Neoteric this week to film an episode of the new series featuring Aaron building and flying a hovercraft with Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald.

The producer, Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group, says, “We chose Neoteric because we liked Chris' history with hovercraft and that he is one of the pioneers in hovercraft manufacturing. We liked that Chris also trains people to operate hovercraft as we wanted Aaron to have that experience. And, we liked the innovations that Neoteric has made to hovercraft with the reverse thrust system, etc.”

Neoteric is in good company! The series also includes visits to NASA, a Colorado coal mine, Nevada firefighters, the underbelly of the Las Vegas service industry, and much more.

Neoteric is honored to appear in this series and to be considered one of the "incredible places, industry and people that keep America running."

Stay tuned! In the next few days we’ll be posting photos and videos of the filming and more.

Aaron Needs A Job premieres JULY 15 at 10 PM on Discovery Channel.

The episode featuring Neoteric is tentatively scheduled to air SEPTEMBER 9.

Fire department’s new hovercraft used for water rescues

"Its versatility is what made the hovercraft a game-changer for water rescues, Chief McElfresh said. “It can run over mud, dry land, the road, on water and swift water.”

Seymour Tribune

June 26, 2019

by Jordan Richart

The latest floodwater rescue tool a fire department in central Jackson County has added to its arsenal of response vehicles has drawn plenty of curiosity from the public.

“You almost have to wait until late at night to go to the gas station,” Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Travis McElfresh joked. “Everywhere you go, people like to ask questions about it and see it up close.”

That mysterious, bizarre-looking craft is the department’s new Neoteric Hovercraft it purchased June 15.

During a recent discussion about the hovercraft outside the department, the vehicle drew a few passersby who wanted photos or more information about it.

A demonstration of the hovercraft on County Road 25E in Brownstown near floodwaters from the East Fork White River also drew a small audience who were eager to see it operate.

Brownstown Assistant Fire Chief Mitch Noelker demonstrates the use of the department's new hovercraft

in floodwaters off County Road 25E.

The oval-shaped craft is worth seeing, as the bottom is made up of 66 black fabric bags connected by heavy-duty zip ties and makes plenty of noise as it gears up. It is maneuvered by handlebars like a motorcycle and can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour, but it is not recommended to go that fast. McElfresh said the craft can top out at 45 miles per hour on the water and 65 miles per hour on the ice.

The Neoteric Hovercraft is manufactured in Terre Haute and differs from boats and other hovercrafts in that it can go in reverse.

Hovercraft utilize one or more fans or propellers to create lift and thrust. Lift air is captured in a flexible fabric skirt, causing the craft to hover above the surface. Thrust air is directed backward to move the craft forward.

On June 15, McElfresh and Assistant Fire Chief Mitch Noelker received training on the Wabash River and returned late that night. Three hours later, the hovercraft was dispatched to its first rescue.

Since then, the department has used the four-seated craft to conduct 11 rescues involving 14 people, McElfresh said.

Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Travis McElfresh drives the department's new hovercraft during a rescue of a man June 19. Volunteer firefighter Clayton Keithley is pictured in the back of the craft.

Those numbers earned them recognition from Neoteric in a post on the company’s blog.

“In Neoteric’s more than half a century in business, never has a fire department gone immediately from hovercraft flight training to performing a series of successful high-risk floodwater rescues,” the company wrote in its post.

The department had been considering purchasing a water rescue craft in the last year because of the number of water rescues in the area, McElfresh said. Between Jan. 1 and June 18, Jackson County had 55 calls for water rescues with nearly a third of them since June 1. There also was a high number reported during a recent span when the county received 8.24 inches of rain in seven days.

When a group from the department attended the fire convention show in April, they found the Neoteric, which was demonstrated for them on floodwaters afterward.

After discussions with the fire board, which controls the department’s budget, the department moved forward with the $40,000 purchase. McElfresh said the department kept in mind what other resources were available throughout the county, which is why they settled on a hovercraft.

“The sheriff’s department has a johnboat, conservation has an airboat, so we decided to get a hovercraft,” he said. “All three of them can do different things. The johnboat can go places the airboat can’t. This can go where it can’t, vice versa. We didn’t want to double up on resources in the county.”

Its versatility is what made the hovercraft a game-changer for water rescues, McElfresh said. “It can run over mud, dry land, the road, on water and swift water,” he said.

When flying over land, there’s a 9-inch clearance. “If you come over a 9-inch log laying in a field, you just cruise over it like it wasn’t even there,” McElfresh said.

The craft also has the capability to go in reverse, which is not an option with an airboat. It also can turn 180 and 360 degrees. “When you’re pulling up to a vehicle, it makes it pretty easy,” McElfresh said.

During a recent rescue, a man was walking through floodwaters. McElfresh said the man was about 4 feet away from walking through swift-moving water. First responders told the man to stay put, and McElfresh was able to work the craft to the side until they could safely rescue him. “We were able to get right up against him and pull him up,” he said.

The greatest benefit might be its role in assisting with rescues on ice. The craft will allow crews to make a rescue without putting weight on the ice. “You’re hovering on air and move on the ice without busting it up,” McElfresh said.

The Brownstown Fire Department’s new hovercraft is pictured outside the department.

So far, McElfresh and Noelker have received training to operate the hovercraft. McElfresh said once they get more hours behind the bars and get more comfortable, four others at the department will receive training.

The group also joined Project H.E.R.O., which stands for Hovercraft Emergency Response Operations, a nonprofit that serves during natural disasters. The department will receive additional training through that organization.

“We’ll do joint training on the Wabash River,” McElfresh said.

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"Perilous rescue shows need for hovercraft, firefighters say"

The article below from the Bellevue Leader in Nebraska is worth attention from fire departments everywhere.

The city of Bellevue and surrounding areas have dealt with extreme flooding multiple times in the last decade. And those areas are not alone. The fastest growing and most costly natural disaster is devastating floods. The National Weather Service, which has kept records for 124 years, reports that there has never been a wetter 12 months than the period that recently ended. And every reporting agency predicts, “The frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events are projected to continue to increase over the 21^st century."

The Bellevue article shows that 'where there's a will, there's a way' and may help your department prepare for faster, safer and more frequent flood, ice and water rescues. And, with a hovercraft, you'll never have to worry about damage to propellers or to traditional rescue boats. As our customers report ... 

 "The hovercraft gets us into areas that before we weren't able to reach, areas that our jet boat can't get into because we ingest debris into the impeller." ~ Central Fraser Valley Search & Rescue Society, Canada

“It’s awesome being able to operate in deep and shallow flood water without having to worry about destroying a motor or a boat.” ~ Council Bluffs Fire Department, Iowa

“Regardless of the weather, our hovercraft can fly over water, ice, mud, sand, grass or wetlands, allowing us to get to those places you can’t reach either by boat or by foot. It can save people under the most difficult conditions that prevent the use of a helicopter.” ~ WOPR, Poland 

“The benefit of having the hovercraft is we do not have to send our personnel into the water to retrieve victims. It can also hover over logs, car tires and any other debris, unlike boats, that could be a hazard in the water. A hovercraft is the answer to a faster rescue – a safer rescue.” ~ Mansfield Fire Department, Texas

Perilous rescue shows need for hovercraft, firefighters say

By Eugene Curtin Associate Editor

Mar 27, 2019

“The craft the Bellevue Fire Department hopes to buy is a six-passenger Hovertrek Rescue Deluxe offered by Neoteric Hovercraft of Terre Haute, Indiana.”

The sight of firefighters trying to rescue a flood-stranded resident in a paddle boat was just too much for members of the Bellevue Fire Department.

“We were contacted,” said Bonnie Knutson, president of the nonprofit Bellevue Public Safety Foundation. “We sent it out to the board and the board said, ‘Yep, let’s do it.’” She said the board agreed to help raise the money to purchase and fully equip a hovercraft that can be used to rescue persons stranded in floods or icy rivers and streams.

The Bellevue Fire Department hopes to buy a six-person hovercraft similar to the one pictured above, which belongs to the Council Bluffs Fire Department and was on display March 20 at Bellevue’s District 1 fire station.
Photo by Eugene Curtin

The foundation was contacted after two firefighters paddled to the rescue of an 85-year-old man in the Sands Trailer Park south of LaPlatte.

Firefighter George Lee, one of the two firefighters, said they responded to a 911 call from a man who ignored orders to evacuate and decided to ride the flood out. When they arrived on the scene, Lee said, a civilian let them borrow a paddle boat and oars, and out they paddled. Lee said the rescue took about 25 minutes.

Bellevue Fire Department Battalion Chief Joe Gibilisco, who is also a board member of the Bellevue Public Safety Foundation, said during a March 20 press conference at the District 1 fire station that firefighters should not have to risk their lives in such flimsy equipment.

“The only thing they had was a private person’s paddle boat and a couple of oars,” Gibilisco said. He said the department’s flat-bottomed boats are suitable for river rescues where the water is deep and outboard engines can function without getting stuck in a river bed, but they cannot be deployed in the shallow waters of a typical flood.

“Right now we don’t have a feasible means to do that,” he said. “With those hovercraft we believe that we will.” Gibilisco said the hovercraft will be made available for water rescue missions around the region and would not be restricted to Bellevue.

Justin James, Chief of the Council Bluffs Fire Department, traveled to Bellevue with his department’s hovercraft in tow. The hovercraft is very similar to the one Bellevue hopes to purchase.

James said Council Bluffs bought its hovercraft some years ago after losing a resident during an ice rescue where hovercraft response might have made a difference.

The craft the Bellevue Fire Department hopes to buy is a six-passenger Hovertrek Rescue Deluxe offered by Neoteric Hovercraft of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Knutson said the Bellevue Public Safety Foundation has kicked off the campaign with a $5,000 donation and will donate the proceeds of Friday’s Supper fundraiser to be held 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bellevue Firefighters Hall, 2108 Franklin St.

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Read what your fellow first responders say about

Neoteric Hovercraft in flood rescues ...

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