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30 July 2013

Congressman Larry Bucshon visits Hovercraft Training Centers

Hovercraft Training Centers has captured the attention of Congress, which may lead to a significant expansion of HTC services. On July 26, Congressman Larry Bucshon visited HTC headquarters and announced his advocacy of a proposal for HTC to conduct hovercraft training for the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
Larry Bucshon visits Hovercraft Training Centers
There is surprising similarity between light hovercraft, such as the 6-passenger Neoteric Hovertrek™ (the exclusive HTC training craft) and the U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC),  a 100-ton, $22-million craft used to transport 180 fully-equipped Marines, weapons systems and heavy cargo. Both operate by the same principles, as evidenced by HTC President Chris Fitzgerald’s recent visit to U.S. NavyAssault Craft Unit 4 in Virginia.

HTC’s proposal outlines the benefits of providing initial training military hovercraft crews and Homeland Security personnel at Hovercraft Training Centers. Military aircraft pilots follow a protocol of preliminary training on light aircraft, then moving on to larger models; this same training sequence would greatly benefit the U.S. Navy. Not only would it expedite the training process, it would also amplify recruiting and lower the dropout rate because light hovercraft could be used to attract and prequalify suitable candidates.

Before an introductory hovercraft flight on the Wabash River in Terre Haute, Rep. Bucshon spoke of further benefits:

“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 8th District and create some jobs is a good thing.”
Rep. Bucshon at Hovercraft Training Centers

“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 HTC founder Chris Fitzgerald.
Chris Fitzgerald Neoteric Hovercraft

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

In their launch onto the Wabash River, Rep. Bucshon and Matt Huckleby experience the HTC Neoteric training hovercraft’s exceptional maneuverability due to its patented reverse thrust system.

After the hovercraft flight on the river, Chris Fitzgerald (left) welcomes Rep. Bucshon (right) to Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc., where all HTC training hovercraft are manufactured.
Congressman Bucshon tours Neoteric Hovercraft

Rep. Bucshon checks 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.
Larry Bucshon with Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Cart

At the end of the factory tour, Rep. Bucshon and his representatives met with Fitzgerald to discuss the details of Hovercraft Training Centers’ proposal to train military LCAC and Ship-to-Shore Connector crews, as well as Homeland Security personnel, and to review the plan’s benefits for the U.S. Government as well as for the Congressman’s district and the state of Indiana.
Rep. Bucshon discusses military hovercraft training


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





16 July 2013

Hammacher Schlemmer Adds Hovercraft Golf Carts to its Catalog of Eccentric Luxury Offerings

By now you've read plenty about Bubba's Hover -- the runaway viral video featuring Master's Champion Bubba Watson and the BW1, his custom designed hovercraft golf cart that is arguably the coolest vehicle ever to hit the links. Now Hammacher Schlemmer is making it easy to elevate your golf game – or just your swagger – to a whole new level by by adding a replica of the craft to its catalog. The purveyor of unique luxury goods is featuring the "Golf Cart Hovercraft" on the cover of its latest catalog and on the home page of its website.

The cart, designed by industry leader Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc.,
seats four and accommodates two bags. The craft is offered up at $58,000.
From tee-off to the pin, your foursome can cruise in unprecedented style, flying 9 inches above the rough, down the fairway, across water hazards and right through sand traps. Hit a hole in one? You can jump in your hovercraft and do a few spins to celebrate, or even fly in reverse. This is not your Daddy’s golf cart!

Every golfer knows the next hole could be that one perfect shot and your own personal hovercraft golf cart just might be the secret edge you’ve been looking for to put your game over the top. Even if not, remember what Mickey Mantle said: The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie.

But the guy with the coolest golf cart in the world? Well, that’s just a gimme.


15 July 2013

HTC-trained Pilots Respond to Flood Conditions in Leavittsburg, Ohio

With waters approaching "Major Flood Stage" on the Mahoning River in Trumball County, Ohio, two boaters got more than they bargained for when they headed out for a day on the water on July 12th. Luckily, HTC-trained hovercraft pilots with the Bazetta Fire Department were on hand to assist in rescue efforts in the fast-moving currents where a rescue boat wasn't able to gain access.


The Bazetta Fire Department congratulates its two certified
hovercraft pilots after their training in February 2013. 
Two men in a boat were got caught up in a flood strainer -- a powerful vortex caused by debris in fast-moving flood waters -- and were clinging to a tree fighting to stay above water when rescue workers arrived around 8:15 PM. Bazetta's hovercraft crew was called in for reinforcement after a rescue boat was unable to reach the tree. A medical helicopter was brought in to spotlight the scene as rescue efforts continued into the night. The two men were successfully rescued around 10:45 PM.

12 July 2013

Ohio Golf Course Becomes the First in the Country to Offer Hover Golf Carts

Inspired by the explosive popularity of Bubba’s Hover, Pete Duffey of Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio decided he wanted in on the action. “We wanted to be able to offer something no other course could. A way to further put Windy Knoll Golf Club on the map of public destination golf courses.” said Duffey. “It was an easy decision. When we saw them on YouTube, we said ‘We gotta have those!'"

Now the public course has become the first in the nation to purchase the craft, accepting delivery this week of two hover golf carts just like Bubba’s now-infamous BW1. The craft will make its debut at Windy Knoll’s
Hover Bash on June 27 — an all-day celebration featuring a golf clinic, party, fireworks, and appearances by Golf Channel Golf Insider Tim Rosaforte, Hall-of-Famer and LPGA golfer Nancy Lopez, and LPGA golfer Paige Mackenzie. 

Each Windy Knoll hovercraft (seen here) will feature a 65-horsepower engine
capable of reaching speeds up to 50 mph, side-by-side seating for up to
four passengers, a lift-up roof, room for two golf bags and sand bottles. 
Representatives from Windy Knoll will be traveling to HTC headquarters in Terre Haute, Indiana next week to complete our Standard Training course to become Certified Hovercraft Pilots before putting their craft into regular service in August. Soon Ohio golfers can travel in high style — over the water hazards and right through the sand traps — for a cool $230 for 18 holes.

02 July 2013

Meet an HTC Graduate: Gary Meyers

Gary Meyers enrolled in HTC’s Standard Training course to explore the idea of adding a hovercraft to his outdoor adventure hobbies around his Lake Havasu home. "I called Neoteric Hovercraft and it was strongly recommended that I not invest in anything in a hovercraft without this training," Meyers says. "On of the things that's definitely unique is that you have to have a feel for it. I wouldn't sell a hovercraft to somebody who didn't want to take the training. It cut down the learning curve to just 24 hours instead of 24 months!" “Understanding the physics of airflow, weight balance, lift and thrust – it’s all important,” he continues, “Look at it this way: would you just jump in an airplane and start flying?” Learn more about Myers' hovercraft adventures in "Arizona's Playground" at HovercraftTraining.com.


01 July 2013

HTC Craft Featured at INside INdiana Business Mixer


While Bubba's Hover tours the country like a rock star, a replica craft has been busy back in Indiana making friends in high places. Say, is that Mayor Greg Ballard with an HTC hovercraft?


[From left:] HTC's Filip Przybysz, Allison Hazel and Indianapolis
Mayor Greg Ballard at the INside INdiana Business mixer. 
HTC representatives were invited to celebrate the success of INside INdiana Business, a locally-produced television show which recently featured Hovercraft Training Centers as a homegrown Indiana success story. Since the spot aired, host Gerry Dick has been crazy about hovercraft and invited HTC to celebrate his own success at an IIB mixer on June 6th at One America Tower in Indianapolis. A replica of Bubba's Hover greeted attendees entering the venue.

Mayor Ballard autographs a promotional poster
for HTC's INside INdiana Business spot. 




Indiana business leaders and innovators from ExactTarget CEO Scott Dorsey to cupcake bakers and gourmet popcorn makers gather to celebrate the show, which has been on the air since 2000, and to recognize who's who in the burgeoning Indiana business scene. With the recent success of Bubba's Hover, HTC is taking its position as a player. Check out a full photo gallery of the event here.
[From left:] HTC's Filip Przybysz, INside INdiana host
Gerry Dick and HTC's Allison Hazel .