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.

The Lighter Side of Hovercraft Flight Training

If you think learning to fly a hovercraft – especially a rescue hovercraft – is all work and no play, check out these videos … and see what happens when a Neoteric hovercraft runs right over someone!

Neoteric flight instructor Steve Stafford is also the founder of Project H.E.R.O., Inc. (Hovercraft Emergency Response Operations), a non-profit group of rescue professionals who deploy hovercraft in disasters and assist police and rescue agencies. Steve often organizes informal rescue practice sessions with first responders to keep their skills honed.

During such a practice session with Indiana’s Washington Township Fire Department and White River Hazelton Fire Department, yes, they worked hard. But when the session ended, playtime began! Watch as they take campers on joyrides in their Neoteric rescue hovercraft … and run over each other with Stafford’s hovercraft ...

Yes, he really did get run over by the hovercraft – here’s the proof ... 

Just goes to show you how safe a hovercraft really is. Want to find out for yourself?

Sign up today for a Test Flight or a Pilot Training Course

(NOTE: Getting run over is not required!)

#TBT: Neoteric Hovercraft featured on WealthTV's 'Boys Toys'

#ThrowbackThursday flies you back to 2012, when WealthTV (now known as AWE - A Wealth of Entertainment) featured Neoteric Hovercraft on its popular show Boys Toys, hosted by Emmy-nominated Jenn Barlow. 

The episode was titled "Hoosier Daddy" and the show's promo was "Talk about a rush! This one-of-a-kind amphibious vehicle will have you re-evaluating your definition of the word 'cool'."

Watch the show and see Jenn Barlow learn hands-on how to "get over the hump and fly this bad boy!"

Neoteric Hovercraft transports Indiana Bicentennial Torch

The signature commemorative event of the state’s 200^th birthday is the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. Patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay, Indiana’s version will pass through all 92 of the state’s counties and cover 3,200 miles over a five week period, averaging 97 miles a day.

The torch is being carried by specially chosen people, and by modes of transport that are symbolic of the heritage and history of Indiana. These include an Indy race car, antique autos, a Batmobile, farm equipment, a horse & wagon … and, of course, a Neoteric Hovercraft ...

It’s only natural that Neoteric was selected to bring the Bicentennial Torch down the Wabash River to Terre Haute. As the media have often reported, Neoteric, with its international clientele and global reputation, has put Terre Haute, Indiana on the world map. 

And, of course, a Neoteric Hovercraft always serves as a media magnet …

As the crowd gathers, the Bicentennial Torch-bearing Neoteric Hovercraft arrives ...

... and makes a smooth transition from the river up the Fairbanks Park boat ramp ...

Piloted by Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, the hovercraft passengers were, from the left: Vigo Country Representative Elizabeth Scamihorn, Torch Manager/Guard Phil Baldwin, and Torchbearer NBC-2 Chief Meteorologist Jesse Walker ...

The Terre Haute Tribune Star interviewed Jesse Walker about his hovercraft experience: 

"It was such an honor to be nominated to do this," Walker said. "The 200-year celebration of Indiana is fantastic. And for me to get to go down the river ... I go on TV every night and talk about the weather, talk about the river. This was the first time I've been on the river to any extent."

"We traveled about five or six miles. Perfect conditions. The river was fine and Chris Fitzgerald did a great job with the hovercraft. I did get splashed a little bit. But it's been hot today, so I'm OK with that."

At Fairbanks Park, Jesse Walker passed the torch on to Blake Griffin, who carried it on his bike around the park in honor of his brother, Sgt. Dale Griffin. Dale gave his life in 2009, while serving in Operating Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan ...

The night ended with a magnificent fireworks display over the Wabash River. And now the Bicentennial Torch continues its journey through Indiana, to cover 260 cities and towns; 17 State and National Parks; 9 lakes and rivers; 27 national, state and local sites of historic significance; and 22 colleges and universities.

When the Relay concludes on October 15, the torch will be used to illuminate an everlasting light at the statehouse in Indianapolis. It will serve as an homage to Indiana's first 200 years and an inspiration for generations of Hoosiers to come.

Neoteric Hovercraft is greatly honored to have served a role in this historic event. Back in 1975, we made the decision to move our company from Australia to the USA. More than four decades later, we still feel privileged to call Terre Haute, Indiana our home.

Learn more about Neoteric Hovercraft ...

See the photo gallery ...

Neoteric Hovercraft helps Poland celebrate National Rescuers Day

June 29 is National Rescuers Day in Poland. What perfect timing that WOPR christened and launched their new Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft in Szczecin, Poland right before National Rescuers Day. Their hovercraft was purchased from Neoteric’s dealer in Poland, Tecnotek Polska, and has been named "Lifeguard 200." It is the first rescue hovercraft in Szczecin and in the region.

WOPR is an acronym for Wodne Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe, which translates to “water rescue teams and lifeguards” in English. An important nationwide organization that specializes in water rescue operations, WOPR is a member of the International Lifesaving Federation.

As always, any Neoteric Hovercraft is a media magnet, and the WOPR hovercraft is no exception - its launch attracted heavy media coverage. Here’s just one example ...

The gathering of rescuers told the media, “This Neoteric hovercraft is one of the modern rescue vehicles on the Polish market. It rises to 30 cm from the surface and is able to move on both land and water. This machine can save people under the most difficult weather conditions that prevent the use of a helicopter.”

WOPR's Jason Kleczaj said, "Regardless of the weather, our new 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."

Miroslaw Gosieniecki, Vice President of Szczecin WOPR, added, "It will allow us to save people even in winter, when water reservoirs are on ice or floe. Until now, our rescuers did not have equipment that would enable them to act in such circumstances."

A mock rescue was performed at the event in order to exhibit
the exceptional amphibious maneuverability of the Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft.

"This is the first unit of this class in Szczecin," said Mayor Piotr Krzystek. "It will be used not only in summer but mainly in winter, when access to water in traditional ways is impossible, and accidents happen even so."

In closing, he added, "We have to take care of safety on the water, because it is after all, a big part of our city. I wish you well use of your equipment and that your help always arrives in time."

Learn more about Neoteric Rescue Hovercraft ...

VIDEO: Hovercraft ride on an icy river

From ice fishing to ice rescues to winter recreation, the Neoteric hovercraft is a one-of-a-kind ice vehicle. Ride along with Neoteric president Chris Fitzgerald on the icy Wabash River and see why ice is no obstacle for a HoverTrek™ ...

Watch more videos of hovercraft on ice ...

Hovercraft: The essential vehicle for ice rescue operations

Video: Neoteric hovercraft practice ice rescue operations

Fire department's Neoteric hovercraft has saved more than 255 people

Neoteric hovercraft rescues three helpless deer stranded on ice

Hovercraft: new flexibility for Wilderness Place Lodge

Wilderness Place Lodge in Lake Creek, Alaska has the honor of being one of the top five salmon and trout fishing lodges in the state. But in their quest to be the best, co-owners Cory Wendt of Madison Wisconsin and Jason Rockvam of Clancy, Montana found a way to make it even better. That’s what led them to Neoteric and Hovercraft Training Centers.

The Lodge, located on Lake Creek River, offers some of the finest spin and fly fishing in Alaska. But the river and its surrounding streams have gravel bars, pinched-off oxbow backwaters, shallow areas and midstream islands – areas that boats and other vehicles can’t reach. And, as Cory says, “If one point is an impasse for our guests, it spoils the trip.”

To overcome these limitations, Cory and Jason explored their options and decided to add hovercraft to their fleet of 18-foot boats. But why hovercraft rather than other vehicles, such as airboats? “I don’t think airboats are that great. We wouldn’t use one. Our guests wouldn’t come; it would be too loud. They come up to get away from everything and airboats are just deafeningly loud,” Cory explains. “A hovercraft is the practical tool to get us from point A to point B.”

To determine whether 4-passenger or 6-passenger hovercraft would work best for them, Cory took advantage of our Fly Before You Buy opportunity and came to us for Test Flights on Neoteric craft at Hovercraft Training Centers.

After his Test Flight on a 6-passenger craft, Cory (center) and his father Bob Wendt (right) board a 4-passenger Neoteric HoverTrek for their flight on the Wabash River with HTC instructor Steve Stafford (left) …

And they’re off – joining a 6-passenger HoverTrek giving a Test Flight to a different group …

Before landing onto the boat ramp, Steve gives a final demo of how the Neoteric reverse thrust gives our hovercraft their extreme maneuverability. (And no, he didn't lose a passenger on the river! The two Test Flights in progress switched passengers downstream.) …

After touring the Neoteric factory and taking two Test Flights, during which Cory had the opportunity to take the controls, he was impressed with the flexibility of the HoverTrek. “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.” And it was certainly quieter than an airboat!

And he quickly grasped the importance of training. “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.”

The season opens in June at Wilderness Place Lodge. And whether they’ll be flying with 4 passengers or 6 passengers, the guests will enjoy something new and exciting this year – a Neoteric hovercraft to easily take them wherever they want to go.

And the staff will enjoy the added convenience and safety. Currently they have to run boats to a village 25 miles away just to pick up their mail. And since they also operate as rescuers if there's an incident, a hovercraft will serve them well. He and his guests will feel much more secure with a Neoteric hovercraft - used by first responders throughout the world - on hand for safe and rapid rescue operations.

Visit Wilderness Place Lodge

Learn more about Hovercraft Test Flights

Hovercraft help Terre Haute soar “A Level Above”

A decade ago, the Chamber of Commerce began using the slogan “A Level Above” for the city of Terre Haute. As the Chamber readies for its 100^th anniversary annual meeting on August 28 in Hulman Center, what better way to promote it than soaring a level above … in a Neoteric hovercraft!

As B.J. Riley, Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board and Publisher of the Tribune-Star said before he literally took a spin in a hovercraft piloted by Neoteric president Chris Fitzgerald, “As we start down the road towards the next 100 years, I am confident our business community will work together. Of course, with the innovative spirit we have in Terre Haute, perhaps we won’t need roads … where we’re going!”

Hovercraft are definitely attention-getters. Watching B.J. spin, his wife Mary, the Chamber's Membership Coordinator said, "You're like a kid, just watching it!"

A recent Tribune-Star editorial credits Neoteric's innovative spirit for bringing world attention to Terre Haute: "[Neoteric] deserves the community's congratulations. It joins DADC, Bemis, the old Columbia Records, Larry Bird, Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and others in bringing worldwide distinction to Terre Haute. But the difference with Neoteric is it truly is riding on air."

But why is this hovercraft burnt orange? That's another story of innovation. The craft belongs to Neoteric customer Bob Vanderheiden, who was in town that day to pick up his new craft. He was pleased to offer its use before undergoing training later that day at Hovercraft Training Centers. Stay tuned - a post is coming up that tells the story of Bob's hovercraft. In the meantime, enjoy a few photos of the Hulman Center action ...

Bob Vanderheiden (second from left) meets the Chamber of Commerce staff ...

B.J. Riley is all smiles after his literal spin in a Neoteric Hovercraft ... 

 Chris Fitzgerald takes a moment to relax in his creation and enjoy the fun - before the hard work
of an afternoon of pilot training begins ...

Congressman Larry Bucshon visits Neoteric Hovercraft

On July  26, NeotericHovercraft and Hovercraft Training Centers were honored to welcome Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, who visited to discuss his advice and advocacy on a proposal for HTC to provide hovercraft flight training to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.

Hovercraft Training Centers is proposing that the U.S. Government provide initial military hovercraft crew training at its Terre Haute headquarters. Not only would this expedite the process and lower costs, it would also improve recruiting and lower the current trainee dropout rate because light hovercraft could be used to attract and prequalify suitable candidates.

The Congressman’s tour began at the Wabash River, with media interviews followed by a hovercraft flight on the river …

“I am acting as an advocate," Bucshon told the media. “We have a sagging economy, high unemployment rate – although that’s getting better. Any company that wants to expand in Terre Haute or in the 8^th District and create some jobs is a good thing.” ...

“We’re already training firefighters and police officers from all over the world, along with personnel from the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Air Force. That’s been going on for decades,” said Chris Fitzgerald, founder of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. and Hovercraft Training Centers ...

“I’m gonna get a hovercraft ride today!” Rep. Bucshon says with a smile as he boards an HTC Neoteric training hovercraft with his Deputy District Director, Matt Huckleby in the rear seat and Chris Fitzgerald at the controls ...

In their launch onto the Wabash River, Rep. Bucshon and Matt Huckleby experience the Neoteric hovercraft’s one-of-a-kind maneuverability due to its patented reverse thrust system ...

Via wireless headsets, Chris Fitzgerald explains hovercraft operation to Congressman Buschon and Matt Huckleby as they fly down the Wabash River ...

After the hovercraft flight on the river, Chris Fitzgerald (left) welcomes Rep. Bucshon (right) to the Neoteric Hovercraft factory. Here, they tour Neoteric’s fiberglassing facility ...

In deep discussion, Fitzgerald and Rep. Bucshon walk to Neoteric’s hovercraft assembly facility ...

Fitzgerald gives Rep. Bucshon a thorough overview of the final manufacturing processes for all Neoteric hovercraft. In the background, the rescue hovercraft owned by New Jersey’s Scullville Volunteer Fire Company awaits upgrades. Neoteric rescue hovercraft are used by first responders in more than 50 nations ... 

Rep. Bucshon has an opportunity to check out a Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Cart, to be delivered to the Superior Golf Club in Ukraine – the first non-U.S. golf course to own a replica of the BW1 hovercraft golf cart Neoteric manufactured for Bubba Watson ...

Deputy District Director Matt Huckleby (right) and Connor Lentz (left) learn how Neoteric hovercraft are custom manufactured. Lentz represents Congressman Bucshon's constituent affairs in Indiana's 8th Congressional District for the Department of Defense and Veteran's Affairs ...

The media take great interest in the factory tour ...

At the end of the factory tour, Rep. Bucshon and his representatives meet with Chris Fitzgerald to discuss how Hovercraft Training Centers’ proposal to train military LCAC and Ship-to-Shore Connector crews, as well as Homeland Security personnel, would benefit the U.S. Government as well as the Congressman’s district and state ...

See news coverage / videos of Rep. Bucshon’s hovercraft flight at:

Bucshon tours hovercraft company

Congressman in town to help local hovercraft company expand

Rep. Bucshon sees how military, first responders learn to use skill

Boys Toys' Jenn Barlow flies a Neoteric Hovercraft

Wealth TV’s Boys Toys, hosted by Emmy-nominated Jenn Barlow, is all about showing you some mind blowing toys for big boys. Earlier this year, Jenn came to Neoteric to film “Hoosier Daddy”, an episode of Boys Toys featuring Neoteric recreational hovercraft. As the show’s promo describes, “Talk about a rush! This one-of-a-kind amphibious vehicle will have you re-evaluating your definition of the word ‘cool’.”

After spending time with Neoteric founder Chris Fitzgerald, Jenn said, “When it comes to hovercraft, this man knows it all!” Watch the episode below and see her learn hands-on how to “get over the hump and fly this bad boy.”

See photos of the Boys Toys filming at Neoteric ...

Michigan first responders complete pilot training in their new rescue Hovertrek™

The Norman Township Fire Department’s Assistant Chief Dennis Jolicoeur and Medical First Responder Larry Waligorski traveled to Neoteric’s headquarters on the day before Easter to take delivery of their new craft and complete their hands-on flight training and maintenance certification. The funding for the department’s rescue hovercraft was provided by a grant.

From the left: Instructor Chris Fitzgerald, Medical First Responder Larry Waligorski, Assistant Chief Dennis Jolicoeur and Instructor Steve Stafford prepare to launch two craft on the Wabash River for the first training session.

A volunteer on call department, the Norman Township Fire Department in Wellston, MI provides fire protection and ambulance service to an 80 sq. mile area in Michigan’s Manistee County.

Waligorski explains the department’s need for a hovercraft: “We perform water and ice rescues on the rapidly running, narrow, difficult to access Pine River, with rocks, downed trees and steep banks.”

The Pine River is considered the premier paddle sports venue in the Midwest; it attracts canoers, kayakers, rafters and fishermen from across the nation year-round. The first responders say that one asset of the hovercraft will be to replace, “ice rescues done the old fashioned way: with rope and ice rescue suits.”

Instructor Chris Fitzgerald briefs Jolicoeur and Waligorski and walks them through a preflight inspection of their new hovercraft.

The department had considered purchasing a jet boat, but the problems with that rescue vehicle were quickly made apparent when, during a company demo, rocks in the river caused the jet boat to break down.

After discovering Neoteric Hovercraft online, Norman Township Fire Department personnel visited the Muskegon, Michigan Fire Department, “who had great things to say about their Neoteric craft,” says Jolicoeur.

Steve League, Fire Chief of the North Muskegon Fire Department recently told Neoteric, “Both the North Muskegon and Muskegon Fire Departments use hovercraft for their ice rescue operations. The hovercraft have saved more lives than our engines have. Since 1985, 255 people have been rescued or removed from Muskegon area lakes using hovercraft. 50% would have drowned not having the hovercraft as a safe rescue tool.”

Larry Waligorski (left) begins his hands-on pilot training as instructor Steve Stafford (right) demonstrates the operation of the hovercraft's controls and how to achieve the proper trim.

Photo gallery of the Norman Township Fire Department's pilot training.

Meet the Norman Township Fire Department

 

White River - Hazleton Fire Department Hovercraft Pilot Training

Firefighters from the White River-Hazleton Volunteer Fire Department, Hazleton, Indiana USA have completed their Class III Hovercraft Pilot Training at Neoteric's headquarters.

Shown here prior to their initial launch on the Wabash River in the department's six-passenger Neoteric Rescue Hovertrek are, clockwise from left: Mark Ellis, Secretary/Treasurer; Mike Ellis, Fire Chief; Capt. Stan Capobianco, Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security, Ret. Terre Haute Fire Department; and Chris Fitzgerald, President of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. ...

The department operates a dive boat, but needed the capabilities of a hovercraft to better serve the Hazleton area. Below, Chris Fitzgerald demonstrates the patented reverse thrust buckets that give Neoteric hovercraft their exceptional maneuverability - a critical asset in rescue operations ...

A day of flight training begins as Mark Ellis and Chris Fitzgerald launch the craft while Chief Ellis and Capt. Capobianco listen to the first session via headsets ...



The White River-Hazleton Volunteer Fire Department protects the main fork of the White River in southern Indiana, which drains approximately 70% of the state. The department also provides mutual aid into the state of Illinois. 

Read news coverage of the White River-Hazleton hovercraft

Neoteric trains Freeway Technologies Co. Ltd., China

Engineers, mechanics and marketing personnel from Freeway Technologies Co. Ltd., Xiamen, China, have completed a week of intensive flight training and maintenance instruction at Neoteric's USA headquarters.

Freeway Technologies specializes in the design, manufacture and international trade of aviation and rescue products, and is recognized as the developer of a distinctive microlight aircraft. As Neoteric's dealer in China, Freeway is now the distributor of the distinctive Neoteric Hovertrek™. 

The Freeway Technologies graduates, from left: 
Yu Xie, Chuan He, Zhiqiang Wang, Wenming Qiu,
Chris Fitzgerald (Neoteric President), Shixian Liu and Arno Mohr

See Indiana news coverage of the Freeway Technologies visit to the USA:

Neoteric Hovercraft appeal to global market

Students from Seoul National University of Technology, South Korea, tour Neoteric Hovercraft

In 1983, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald was named the very first Entrepreneur in Residence at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the leading undergraduate engineering college in the United States. A solid relationship has flourished between the company and the school since then, with many Rose-Hulman students finding employment, internships and involvement in special engineering projects at Neoteric.

This summer, 15 engineering students from Seoul National University of Technology, South Korea, were hosted by Neoteric for an introduction to hovercraft and a tour of our manufacturing facilities. The students were attending a month-long educational experience in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) at Rose-Hulman.

In this video, Fitzgerald discusses the concept of 'ground effect' and explains to the students why helicopters are 33 times more expensive than hovercraft ...

Here, Fitzgerald treats Seoul student Somi Shin to a  ride on a hovering chair ...

Dr. Michael McInerney, professor of physics at Rose-Hulman, explains that he arranged the tour because, "I wanted the students to see an American factory. I also wanted them to see Neoteric's hovercraft, which are a unique vehicle." The students were particularly intrigued by Neoteric's unique reverse thrust buckets that give the Hovertrek the ability to brake and back up ...

Coincidentally, on the day the Seoul students toured Neoteric, we were shipping a newly-manufactured 4-passenger rescue hovercraft by air freight to a fire department in South Korea ...

See a photo gallery of the Neoteric Hovercraft factory tour ...

Hovercraft Pilot Training: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Hammond, Louisiana

Chief Deputy Dennis Pevey along with Captains Stuart Murphy and Robert Bel, emergency responders from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office in Hammond, Louisiana, spent two days at Neoteric Hovercraft to complete Neoteric's Class III Hovercraft Pilot Training Course. The Parish purchased a Neoteric partially-assembled rescue hovercraft kit with a Homeland Security grant and the Sheriff's Office has nearly completed final assembly of the craft.

Upon arrival at the Wabash River training site, instructor Chris Fitzgerald (third from left) assists Captain Murphy (second from left) in rolling the hovercraft from its trailer, while Captain Bel (left) and Chief Pevey (right) observe:

Fitzgerald and Bel fuel the hovercraft in preparation for launching on the Wabash River ... while a gaggle of unsuspecting Canada geese feed on the river bank:

Fitzgerald reviews the Hovertrek's operational systems before turning the controls over to Chief Pevey for his practice session on the river:

And now, with Pevey at the controls in this video, the hovercraft glides gracefully through practice maneuvers ... while the Canada geese peacefully observe, which testifies to the fact that the Neoteric craft is the quietest light hovercraft on the market!

There are numerous bodies of water in Tangipahoa Parish, including the heavy-current Tangipahoa and Tickfaw Rivers as well as Lakes Ponchartrain and Maurepas, requiring the Sheriff's Office to be well-equipped for rescue operations and towing stranded boaters and fishermen. The Office has at least 8 water rescue vehicles, among them flatboats and an airboat, but the unusual maneuverability of their Neoteric hovercraft will open areas to the first responders that other vehicles can't reach and will save valuable time in reaching victims.

Neoteric Hovercraft in 2010 IPL Cricket Final, Mumbai, India

As posted earlier, eight Neoteric Hovercraft participated today in the closing spectacular of the Indian Premier League final match - cricket's grandest extravaganza and one of the six largest sporting events in the world.

The sold-out event, choreographed by the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rehman, took place before 55,000 spectators and more than a billion worldwide television viewers at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium, a state-of-the-art cricket facility in Navi Mumbai, India. Within a couple of hours, the IPL's YouTube Channel had more than 50 million views.

The closing ceremony was splashed with glitz and glamour, featuring laser light shows, fireworks, a bevy of Bollywood stars ... and Neoteric Hovercraft. Even though performances by Indian superstars were featured, during the event Twitter teemed with praise for the hovercraft ... such as "The hovercraft are the best thing about the IPL closing ceremony!"