Recreational Hovercraft Training: Bob Vanderheiden

Determined to keep the seasons from limiting his recreational activities, Bob Vanderheiden, a retired health care equipment pro from Nebraska, decided a Neoteric hovercraft was a must-have: “I live on the Platte River, plus we have a lot of lakes and sand pits, so I figured it’s something I can use 12 months a year, since it will go just as well over ice and snow as rivers and lakes.”

Hovercraft Training Centers train exclusively on Neoteric Hovercraft, and when someone purchases a Neoteric craft, HTC conducts their training on the customer’s own hovercraft. Bob’s definitely stands out – it was custom manufactured to match all his other toys, including three Jeeps, which are painted the same 1973 Corvette burnt orange.

Bob threw himself wholeheartedly into his training, saying, “I don’t think I’d try getting in one without any training, but I’m looking forward to it. I don’t know if it’ll be easy, but the way I am, if somebody else can do it, I can do it!”

And Bob definitely did it! Check out a few photos and videos of his day at HTC:

At the Wabash River training site, instructor Chris Fitzgerald teaches Bob how to unload his craft from its custom trailer …

Before launching the craft on the river, Fitzgerald thoroughly briefs Bob on what he is about to learn …

And they’re off, with Fitzgerald at the controls …

Bob quickly takes the pilot’s seat while Fitzgerald guides him through every technique involved in piloting a hovercraft …

One of the first lessons in hovercraft pilot training is learning how to get over the hump, which Bob quickly masters … 

At the end of the day, Bob proudly accepts his HTC certification …

Why should Bob have all the fun? 

For only $250, you can take a hovercraft test flight ...