As the original light hovercraft manufacturer, Neoteric moves into its sixth decade as one of a very few hovercraft manufacturers in history with 50 years of experience and expertise. In addition to its manufacturing and engineering experience, Neoteric has trained and certified rescue, recreational, commercial and military hovercraft pilots during that time. Neoteric’s exclusive Hovercraft Pilot Training program is the most comprehensive light hovercraft pilot training course available.
As an ambiguous testament to the one-of-a-kind engineering and design of the HoverTrek™, Neoteric has in recent years been exploited by individuals/companies intent upon committing industrial espionage and theft of trade secrets in order to counterfeit Neoteric’s patented and trademarked designs. Of great concern is the fact that hovercraft are increasingly utilized in rescue operations; counterfeit rescue hovercraft pose a threat to the lives of first responders and to the lives of those they are tasked to save. With assistance from Federal and international agencies, Neoteric and the World Hovercraft Organization continue to prosecute and attempt to put a halt to such unlawful offenses.
Neoteric Hovercraft are not mass-produced; each craft is custom manufactured by hand. As factory production increases, Neoteric must strive to maintain this hands-on attention and, at the same time, increase manufacturing efficiency. Much of Neoteric’s engineering effort over the past several years has been devoted to this challenge. The NeoTechnology section of the Neoteric website describes this process in greater detail, with photos.
Also on the technology front, Neoteric engineering team Rob Wilson and David Atkins, both founding members of the company, continue their work in Australia on the new high speed two-person performance hovercraft with the goal of establishing the World Speed Record for light hovercraft. This goal will be accomplished by reintroducing Neoteric technology that was actually conceived during the early 1970s.
Jan. – Dec., 2010 |
In its research and development of alternative hovercraft power plants, Neoteric canceled its 3-year evaluation of the Rotamax Rotary engine. Research and development continues on 3-cylinder, 4-cycle powered machinery module. |
18 February, 2010 |
Chris Fitzgerald conducts rescue hovercraft pilot training for the Crosslake Fire & Rescue Department, Crosslake, Minnesota USA. The department purchased their Neoteric Rescue HoverTrek™ after receiving an anonymous $23,000 donation. |
March, 2010 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald travels to Sweden to conduct a week-long training course for a team of hovercraft pilot instructors from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, Svenska Sjöräddnings Sällskapet. The organization utilizes two Neoteric HoverTrek™ Rescue hovercraft. Read more … |
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8 March, 2010 |
Neoteric learns that Keltic Marine Group, Nova Scotia, and Hi Tech International S.r.l. in Italy, operating as“HTI America”, have joined forces to market in North America the hovercraft that HTI counterfeited from the patented Neoteric HoverTrek™ through economic/industrial espionage. Neoteric continues its legal actions in coordination with national and international agencies to halt HTI’s unlawful activities. |
April, 2010 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald traveled to Australia to visit Ross McLeod of Airlift Hovercraft, and Gary Ashton of Mariah Hovercraft, two manufacturers who are building hovercraft for the South Korean Coast Guard. Airlift Hovercraft is located in Surface Paradise, Queensland AU; Mariah Hovercraft is located in Hastings, Victoria AU. |
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In April 2010, Neoteric developed a new gull wing cabin door. |
25 April, 2010 |
Eight Neoteric hovercraft performed the closing spectacular of the Indian Premier League (IPL3) 2010 Cricket Championship in Mumbai, India - one of the six largest sporting events in the world. Neoteric was chosen because of the stylish design and maneuverability of the HoverTrek™, the only hovercraft on the market able to pirouette, travel sideways and in reverse, and hover in place to perform a choreographed routine – and hovercraft are the only vehicle that will not damage a fragile cricket field. |
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See IPL3 hovercraft videos; read Hoverin’ Around the World and read the inside story From Indiana to India. |
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23 June, 2010 |
Chris Fitzgerald conducts hovercraft pilot training for the Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, home of the oldest duck hunting club in America. The Conservancy preserves a 5,500-acre marsh and maintains a wildlife habitat on the shores of Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay in Point Clinton, Ohio USA. Read more… |
6 July, 2010 |
Neoteric serves Hi Tech International S.r.l. with a Cease and Desist Order. The Order requires that a) HTI remove from its websites the material it plagiarized from the Neoteric website; b) HTI remove Neoteric’s trademarked business name from the meta tags on their websites; and c) HTI cease the manufacture and sale of hovercraft illegally pirated from Neoteric through economic/industrial espionage and theft of trade secrets by Matteo Passoni/HTI. |
7 July, 2010 |
Neoteric serves Keltic Marine Group with a Cease and Desist Order. The Order requires that a) Keltic Marine remove from its website the technical diagrams HTI plagiarized from the Neoteric website; b) Keltic remove all false and misleading statements from its website; and c) Keltic, operating as “HTI America”, cease the manufacture and sale of hovercraft illegally pirated from Neoteric through economic/industrial espionage and theft of trade secrets by Matteo Passoni/HTI |
16 July, 2010 |
After HTI ignores Neoteric’s Cease and Desist Order, Neoteric files a DMCA Complaint against HTI with all major global search engines for its repeated violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Google immediately finds that more than 700 URLs on the HTI website violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and unlawfully infringe upon copyrighted/trademarked material from the Neoteric website. Google immediately bans each of those pages from its search index. |
2 August, 2010
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Keltic Marine Group complies with Neoteric’s Cease & Desist Order by removing from its website the copyrighted illustrations plagiarized from Neoteric’s website, and removing the false statement that HTI has been manufacturing hovercraft since 1995. However, Keltic continues to operate as “HTI America”, manufacturing/marketing hovercraft that were illegally counterfeited from Neoteric through economic/industrial espionage and theft of trade secrets committed by Matteo Passoni/HTI.
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Neoteric continues to work with the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI and other national/international governmental and private agencies to protect its intellectual property and trademarked products from espionage committed by Hi Tech International S.r.l. |
7-10 August, 2010 |
Neoteric was honored by a visit from John Talmage, the company’s very first customer, and his wife Carol, who were instrumental in the launch of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. in the 1970s. Talmage, a pilot and farmer in Long Island, New York, built his own hovercraft in 1965. In 1976, he financed the first hovercraft produced by the newly-founded Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc.
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The Neova 2, the first hovercraft manufactured
by Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. |
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October, 2010 |
Neoteric completed an upgrade to its manufacturing facilities, including the addition of a flexible storage building as well as refinishing the loading dock and all outside storage containers. |
November, 2010 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald is invited to South Korea and China to demonstrate the Neoteric Rescue Hovertrek™ to military officials and rescue agencies. On November 23, as a demonstration to the South Korean Navy was about to begin, North Korea launched an attack upon South Korea 25-50 miles from the demonstration site. Navy officials were recalled to their bases and the demonstration was postponed. |
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Fitzgerald with South Korean military officials just Fitzgerald describes Neoteric's unique reverse thrust
prior to the attack by North Korea. system to the Xiamen, China Fire Department. |
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See the complete photo gallery: Neoteric Hovercraft in China and South Korea |
December, 2010 |
Keltic Marine Group (see 8 March 2010 above) informs Neoteric that Keltic has severed all business relations with Hi Tech International S.r.l. and Matteo Passoni “due to very questionable business activities including evidence of counterfeiting and forgery in his business dealings”, including but not limited to:
- “behavior unbecoming an Officer and Director of the Company”
- “refusal to meet financial obligations and ethical responsibilities”
- “continuing inflow of evidence of inappropriate business activities”
- “most distasteful business dealings”
- “Trying to open false E-bay accounts in the company name … is certainly not indicative of someone who is legitimate.”
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| Jan. – Dec. 2011 |
The popularity of the Hovertrek™ continued in 2011, during which Neoteric custom manufactured rescue, recreational, commercial and military hovercraft for clients in the following nations:
- Canada
- China
- Finland
- Kuwait
- Russia
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- USA
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| Jan. – Dec. 2011 |
For more than five decades, Neoteric has been globally recognized for innovation in technology and artistry in design; the Hovertrek™ is the most thoroughly tested light hovercraft on the market. This meticulous evaluation was amplified during 2011 and included classified Wind Tunnel testing in Australia at the prestigious Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SAMME). The RMIT Wind Tunnel is used to advance the development of new vehicles for such manufacturers as Audi, Bentley, BMW and Rolls-Royce. This wind tunnel aerodynamics modeling is paving the way for a technological leap forward: a futuristic limited edition Neoteric hovercraft, Model 6153, that will break world speed records and capture global headlines. |
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Rob Wilson, President, Neoteric Engineering Affiliates, Ptd. Ltd. (left rear) and David Atkins, Design Engineer, Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. (right rear), appear with School of Aerospace research personnel and a 1/3 scale model of the Neoteric High Speed Hovercraft inside the RMIT industrial wind tunnel.
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In 2011, the company's dedication to constant improvement applied not only to Neoteric products and designs but to procedures, systems, marketing materials and vendor products as well:
- Chad Steimel, Vice President, Engineering, refined AutoCAD drawings, organized manufacturing data, and upgraded the company’s hovercraft operations instruction manuals.
- Ryan Dagey, Information Technology Director, advanced Neoteric’s web-based manufacturing system and developed programming for both existing and future web sites, including a new site for the Neoteric Hovercraft Pilot Training program.
- In 2011 Neoteric neared completion of a major project: the digitizing of an extensive collection of hovercraft histroy, which includes documents, films, videos and slides. During 2012, the collection will be added to the Neoteric web site's comprehensive History of the Hovercraft.
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| Jan. – Dec. 2011 |
International, national, regional and local media covered the activities of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. as well as the accomplishments of its clients, particularly those involving rescue operations: Neoteric Hovercraft in the News |
| February, 2011 |
Neoteric contracted with an Indianapolis agency to produce a new logo and web site for the company's Hovercraft Pilot Training program. The finished products, however, did not meet the company's high standards. Similar difficulties were previously experienced with another Indianapolis agency who was commissioned to upgrade the current Neoteric web site; the agency's design was deemed to pose a risk to Neoteric's excellent search engine rankings. |
| March, 2011 |
Emergency responders from Fire District 19 and the Stillagaumish Water Rescue Team in Silvana, Washington USA complete rescue hovercraft pilot training at Neoteric. |
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| April, 2011 |
Neoteric Military HoverTrek™ LCAC Trainer was introduced was introduced to U.S. and South Korean Generals during a joint military exercise in South Korea. See video and photos of this military hovercraft which is engineered as a training apparatus for LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) pilots and navigators. |
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| May, 2011 |
Filip Przybysz, Vice President, Marketing, joined the company to develop new marketing directions and to oversee the expansion of the Neoteric Hovercraft Pilot Training program and web site |
| June, 2011 |
Rescue personnel from the Utah Test and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base completed a week of specialized military hovercraft pilot training at Neoteric, including night rescue operations. Prior to the Air Force purchase of two Neoteric hovercraft, emergency response times could take more than three hours, but their hovercraft now allow them to reach victims in minutes.
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The Roswell Fire Department, Roswell, Georgia USA completes pilot training in their new Neoteric 6-passenger rescue hovercraft, which was purchased with a Homeland Security Grant. Fire Chief Ricky Spencer states, "There are 13 miles of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, with lots of shallow areas. Rescue boats just didn't meet our needs." Full story with hovercraft video and photos … |
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| July, 2011 |
Engineers, mechanics and marketing personnel from Freeway Technologies Co. Ltd., Xiamen, China, completed a week of hovercraft flight training and maintenance instruction at Neoteric's USA headquarters. Freeway, Neoteric's distributor in China, specializes in the design, manufacture and international trade of aviation and rescue equipment. |
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See a photo gallery of Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald's previous visit to Xiamen, China to train Freeway Technologies' hovercraft mechanics. |
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| August, 2011 |
Officials from the Government of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, and China Pacific Marine, Ltd. visited Neoteric to conduct stringent performance testing on the Fire Department's newly manufactured 6-passenger rescue hovercraft prior to its shipment to China. Neoteric met and surpassed all the specific governmental standards. China Pacific Marine, Neoteric's Hong Kong agent, has been a provider of marine products to both government and the private sector for more than four decades. |
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Firefighters from the White River-Hazleton Volunteer Fire Department, Hazleton, Indiana USA complete rescue hovercraft pilot training at Neoteric's headquarters in their new 6-passenger rescue hovercraft. Read the full story with rescue hovercraft videos and photos … |
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The U.S. Department of the Interior credits a Neoteric hovercraft for 17 different water rescue operations in one week on Wisconsin's St. Croix River that brought 98 people to safety. The hovercraft is owned and operated by the St. Croix Tribal Police. Full story with hovercraft photos and news coverage … |
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| October, 2011 |
WealthTV, the exclusive cable television network, selected the Neoteric Hovertrek to be featured on its popular program Boys Toys. The show's host, TV host/actress/model Jenn Barlow, brought a crew to Neoteric's headquarters to film the Boys Toys episode, which will air in early 2012. |
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Also in October, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald traveled to the Dominican Republic to consult with a client on the establishment of a tourism business and to conduct on-site specialized commercial hovercraft pilot training on the Atlantic Ocean. The client subsequently launched a new venture offering hovercraft passenger tours along the shoreline of Punta Cana in his new 100 hp 6-passenger Hovertrek. |
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Sebastian and Ghislaine van Berkom of Montreal, Canada complete recreational hovercraft pilot training in their new Neoteric Hovertrek. Their craft will be used for transport to an island in Canada when ice prevents the use of any other vehicle. Full story with photos of their hovercraft … |
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First responders from the Perry-Clear Creek Fire Department, Bloomington, Indiana USA complete rescue hovercraft pilot training and maintenance instruction in their new 6-passenger Rescue Hovertrek. See a photo gallery of their pilot training … |
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Dirk Lohry, a private airplane pilot from McCook Lake, South Dakota USA, completes recreational hovercraft pilot training at Neoteric. Lohry lives on a lake, and the hovercraft he is building from a Neoteric partially-assembled kit will let him navigate the lake over thin and broken ice for the first time. Read Lohry’s advice on piloting a hovercraft … |
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| November, 2011 |
Francesco Musorrafiti, Chairman and CEO of EPS Corporation, accompanied by the company's Chief Counsel, its Senior Vice President for Business Development and its Corporate Aircraft Pilot, visited Neoteric to discuss a joint business venture. EPS Corporation's global operations provide services and products to governments, civilian agencies and commercial entities. The company manufactures the EPS M10 100- passenger hovercraft as well as the Slingsby 20-passenger composite diesel powered hovercraft, and is interested in adding Neoteric's light hovercraft range to their product lines. Also in November, President Chris Fitzgerald, accompanied by Neoteric Flight Instructor Steve Stafford, traveled to Hong Kong to conduct six days of challenging hovercraft pilot training and maintenance instruction for the Hong Kong Fire Services Department in their 6-passenger rescue Hovertrek. The hovercraft is an essential vehicle, particularly for water rescue operations, in Hong Kong, where rivers, canals, channels, drainage ditches, estuaries and fish farms proliferate. |
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Leaving Hong Kong, Chris Fitzgerald then traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to conduct pilot training at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple and the Dhammakaya Foundation in their two 6-passenger Neoteric rescue hovercraft. The Temple monks are using the hovercraft for water rescue operations in the current flood crisis – the worst flooding in Thailand in more than 50 years. The training took place on the flooded roadways surrounding the Temple. |
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| March, 2012 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald traveled to Bubiyan Island, Kuwait to conduct five days of pilot and maintenance training for Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. personnel. Hyundai E&C is using a Neoteric six-passenger Hovertrek™ in the construction of the controversial Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on the Khor Abdullah waterway, a project that has raised tensions with Iraq. Full story/photo gallery … |
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| April, 2012 |
First responders from the Norman Township Fire Department, Wellston, Michigan USA complete rescue hovercraft pilot training in their new Neoteric rescue hovercraft, which was funded by a government grant. One asset of the hovercraft will be to replace “ice rescues done the old fashioned way: with rope and ice rescue suits,” the officers state. Full story with photos of their rescue hovercraft … |
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| May, 2012 |
In preparation for the flood season in Bengbu, China, two Neoteric hovercraft demonstrate rescue operations on the Huaihe River. The craft, built from Neoteric Kits before the year 2000 by the now defunct Feida Hovercraft Co. in Bengbu, China, are operated by former Feida personnel. Several hovercraft assembled by Feida from Neoteric kits are still operating in Xuzhou City in Jiangsu Province, China, where former Feida employees still support their products through maintenance and continued pilot training. |
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| August 2012 |
Neoteric Hovercraft is featured in an episode of Boys Toys on Wealth TV, hosted by Emmy-nominated Jenn Barlow. The show’s promo says, “Talk about a rush! This one-of-a-kind amphibious vehicle will have you re-evaluating your definition of the word ‘cool’!”Watch the video here ... |
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| October, 2012 |
A Neoteric hovercraft is used in a major environment restoration project on Pelican Island, a key Barrier Island off the coast of Louisiana, by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. (GLDD), the USA’s largest provider of dredging services. The island is crucial in protecting Louisiana citizens from storm surges and is one of the USA’s richest fisheries. |
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Christy Hovercraft, Neoteric’s agent in Russia, participates in an international conference held by EMERCON, the Chief Department of the Russian Emergency Services Ministry. Christy Hovercraft reports, “The Hovertrek attracted great interest from senior governmental officials. It was noted that Neoteric hovercraft are extremely mobile, amphibious, have a low-profile design, good ergonomics and low maintenance ... all beneficial attributes for emergency work.” |
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| Jan 2013 |
Oakley, Bubba Watson’s sponsor, selected Neoteric to build the world’s first hovercraft golf cart for Bubba, the BW1, then hired the famous video agency, Thinkmodo, to create the video Bubba’s Hover. The filming, done in stealth mode to keep the project top secret until the video was released three months later, took place at the Raven Gold Club in Phoenix, Arizona. |
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Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald instructs Bubba Watson at the filming of Bubba’s Hover.
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| Apr 2013 |
Bubba’s Hover, featuring Bubba Watson and Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, was released on YouTube. It immediately became a global sensation, achieving 4 ½ million views in just a few days. Watch the video … |
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Immediately, Bubba’s Hover and Neoteric are featured in numerous national and international media, including Fortune Magazine, Kingdom Magazine, Hammacher Schlemmer and all the national TV networks. NBC’s Today show featured co-hosts Matt Lauer and Al Roker flying Bubba’s Hover. |
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| May, 2013 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald is invited to Assault Craft Unit 4 in Virginia Beach to review the U.S. Navy’s training protocol for LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) crews. He is working with officials to develop a proposal for the Navy to consider using the Neoteric HoverTrek for initial LCAC crew training. His visit included a chance to pilot an LCAC on the Atlantic Ocean. |
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| June, 2013 |
Chris Fitzgerald visits Hirth Engines (Göbler-Hirthmotoren KG) in Germany, Neoteric’s largest supplier. The visit resulted in Hirth’s agreement to modify their engines to Neoteric’s specifications. Read the full story … |
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Hirth owner Siegfried Göbler (left) and Chief Engineer Dietrich Kehe (right) meet with Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald (center).
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| July, 2013 |
From July through September, The Neoteric HoverGolf™ cart, the official limited edition replica of Bubba Watson’s BW1, is featured on the cover of the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog and their web site. |
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In July, film crews from New York City and Los Angeles filmed a company profile about Neoteric Hovercraft - which will be seen by more than 6 million monthly viewers as part of the Yahoo! Finance Breakout Profiles series. See videos of the filming … |
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And in July, Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio became the first of the world’s 35,000+ golf courses to own two Neoteric HoverGolf™carts, the official limited edition replica of Bubba Watson’s BW1. Like Bubba’s Hover, this brought about another global media tsunami. Read the full story … |
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Also in July, On July 26, Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon visits Neoteric and Hovercraft Training Centers 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. See videos and photos … |
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| August, 2013 |
Superior Golf & Spa Resort is the first golf course in Ukraine to own a Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Cart, the official limited edition replica of Bubba Watson’s BW1. |
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And in August, Neoteric customizes a hovercraft for customer Bob Vanderheiden in burnt orange, the color of his other recreational vehicles, including his three Jeeps. |
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Also in August, Neoteric was featured on TrailBlazerGirl.com, a website that showcases “the most interesting gear and amazing getaways for adventurous women who love the outdoors.” |
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| September, 2013 |
The Embassy of Pakiston in Washington D.C. purchases two Neoteric hovercraft for the Pakistan Air Force to use in rescue operations. |
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Also In September, action is taken against two Russian companies who are committing industrial and economic espionage; theft of technology and trade secrets by counterfeiting the Neoteric HoverTrek: Air Wing (aka Production Company MSK and 000 Airoslava) and MosHovercraft Group (aka Globatek Group JSC). These counterfeit hovercraft may pose a serious threat to consumers, as well as risk the lives of first responders and those they are tasked to save. |
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In September, Paul Biggerstaff of Woosung, Illinois purchased a Neoteric HoverTrek with a unique hand-painted camouflage color scheme, and learned to fly it at Hovercraft Training Centers. |
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In September, the Prairieton, Indiana Fire Department takes ownership of the Neoteric rescue hovercraft formerly used by the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency in Terre Haute, Indiana. As Dick Setleff, former Emergency Management director said, “It’s about the price of a good motorcycle, and that’s nothing if you can use it to save just one life.” |
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And in September, Walt Sitz builds his hovercraft from a Neoteric Partially-Assembled Hovercraft Kit, which he will use for recreational activities, but also to help others. Sitz owns Eagle Wings, Inc. in Oregon and belongs to Crisis Response International, a non-profit organization that provides rescue and relief support to humanitarian missions worldwide. |
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| November, 2013 |
The Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Cart is a huge hit at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, as a showcased product at the 2013 Great Gift Wrap Up. See attendees’ reactions in this video … |
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Also in November, the leading aquaculture and marine science institutions in China purchase a Neoteric HoverTrek™ to use in research operations. These include Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Shanghai Ocean University, the Ministry of Agriculture Ocean Fisheries Training Center, the China Fisheries Network, and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. |
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| December, 2013 |
John and Maureen Wright live on an island in Canada. No other vehicle would get them to and from the mainland when the water is not frozen enough to walk on or too frozen for a boat. They solved the problem by purchasing a Neoteric hovercraft. |
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And in December, a video of a Neoteric hovercraft performing a deer rescue goes viral. James and Doug Kenison, owners of MedCity Hovercraft in Rochester, Minnesota use their Neoteric Hovertrek to rescue three exhausted deer, stranded on the ice for days on Albert Lea Lake. Watch the video … |
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| January, 2014 |
Discovery Channel’s Tech Toys 360 airs an episode about Neoteric Hovercraft. The show features Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, shows our Hovercraft Golf Cart in action and tours the Neoteric factory to see how Bubba’s Hover was manufactured. Watch the preview … |
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And in January, a Neoteric HoverTrek and a HoverGolf Cart are invited to give rides at “the ultimate adventure in Capitalism”: Noble Financial Capital Markets’ 10th Annual Equity Conference (“Noble 10”), an exclusive event for Wall Street executives and investors at Club Med in Port St. Lucie, Florida. |
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Also in January, Barry Eison of Tennessee purchased a Neoteric HoverTrek for hunting and fishing – but he also has plans to become a Neoteric dealer. Eison says, “I’ve looked at just about every hovercraft out there. If you go online and look at reviews, Neoteric is the only one that doesn’t have a single negative review.” |
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| February, 2014 |
Neoteric supplies to Puerto Rico its first Hovercraft Golf Cart. It was purchased by the owner of the Serralles Distillery, the largest rum producer in Puerto Rico, who also owns hotels with golf courses. |
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Also in February, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald travels to Hanoi, Viet Nam to conduct flight training to first responders from Viet Nam’s National Department of Rescue and Relief on their two new Neoteric rescue hovercraft. Watch the video … |
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| March, 2014 |
Snohomish County Fire District’s two Neoteric hovercraft enable first responders to navigate the dismal search conditions after the Oso, Washington mudslide. Even rescuers are having to be rescued after becoming stuck up to their armpits in mud. But the hovercraft are able to fly across the mud and debris – keeping first responders above the danger rather than mired within it. Full story with photos … |
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In March, Dan Brown, an optometrist from Olney, IL, trades the Hovertechnics hovercraft he’s owned for 15 years, but rarely used, on a new Neoteric HoverTrek. After his flight training, he says, “Compared to my old one, the difference was like night and day! The reverse thrust is definitely a big difference. And this is just a much lighter craft.” Full story with video … |
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And in March, Technotek Polska, Neoteric’s hovercraft dealer in Poland, is actively engaged in demonstrating the hovercraft’s value in rescue operations to fire departments and other rescue agencies throughout Poland – and their response has been extremely positive. Photo gallery … |
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| April, 2014 |
Four Major Generals from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior visit Neoteric to take a test flight and explore the use of Neoteric hovercraft for swiftwater flood rescue operations in Saudi Arabia. Full story with photos … |
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And in April, Wylie Fire Department’s Neoteric hovercraft is the only vehicle able to rescue a Texas man stuck in mud after being thrown from a bridge. |
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Also in April, Larry Borland, a retired farmer from North Dakota, undergoes flight training at Hovercraft Training Centers in his new Neoteric HoverTrek. |
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| May, 2014 |
Indiana Outdoor Adventures, a TV program broadcast to more than 44 million households across the U.S., airs an episode devoted exclusively to Neoteric Hovercraft. Watch the full episode … |
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And in May, Neoteric customer Gary Meyers and his hovercraft (named "Neo") are filmed to star in an upcoming episode of NatGeo TV's None of the Above with the popular British host Tim Shaw - to be aired in 170 countries in 45 languages. Watch a video from the filming in at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada … |
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| June, 2014 |
Neoteric designs a customized hovercraft for Tetra Tech, a global consulting and engineering firm with 330 offices worldwide. The hovercraft’s first project will be surveying over fragile coral reefs in the Caribbean in search of military MEC/UXO (Munitions & Explosives of Concern/Unexploded Ordnance). Tetra Tech’s Senior Geophysicist says, “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. We try to push it to the next level so we can go places other people can’t go, and where sensitive habitat is only inches below the water surface.” |
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| August, 2014 |
ESPN comes to Neoteric to film a special feature of NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse participating in a hovercraft race on Lazy L Lake, sponsored by Coca-Cola’s Nos Energy Drink. Other hovercraft pilots included Danica Patrick’s father T.J. Patrick, the Terre Haute Coca-Cola distributor and two Nos fans who won the chance to participate. Watch the video … |
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| September, 2014 |
The Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society’s publication, FastTIMES publishes an article about the use of Neoteric hovercraft in the detection of unexploded ordnance over shallow coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. Read the article … |
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| October, 2014 |
D&T Landscaping purchases two customized Neoteric hovercraft to use for dust suppression at a major taconite mining region on the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota. Owner David Olson says, “We needed something different. We use tractors and piston bullies, but they don’t work well in a soft environment. The surface here is like quicksand – you can’t stand or walk on it.” See videos and photos … |
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Also in October, NBC-2 TV airs a feature titled “Neoteric Hovercraft: A Hidden Treasure.” Watch the video … |
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| November, 2014 |
Retired airline pilot builds his own hovercraft from a Neoteric Partially-Assembled Hovercraft Kit. Bill Holzgrove says, “Originally I was considering an airboat, but it’s too tall for the bridges on the river where I live, but a will go under them with no problem. And I live in Minnesota, so there are lakes everywhere. In the spring and fall, when the water’s going through the transition, I’ll be the only guy out there!” |
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| December, 2014 |
Two Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Carts star in the Cleveland Browns-Cincinnati Bengals halftime show at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Wall Street Journal reports, “At halftime, people in pink bunny costumes raced hovercraft on the field. This was the highlight of the afternoon.” Full story with photos … |
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Also in December, Shaw Couevas opens a tourism business, Southern Hovercraft, in New Orleans with his 6-passenger Neoteric HoverTrek. He says, “I think hovercraft are a new and exciting way to get customers out there and experience the wildlife. I called Neoteric because it seems to be the best on the market and because the Hoverclub of America recommended Neoteric,” |
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| January, 2015 |
Hydro International, the global magazine for hydrography, publishes an article featuring Neoteric and the custom hovercraft produced for Tetra Tech. This is an “environmentally sensitive survey platform” that allows data collection in shallow water with protected species where “previously only more expensive, less sensitive aircraft-based systems were able to perform.” Read the full article … |
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Also in January, NBC-2 News airs a video of an ice rescue practice for the Perry Clear Creek, White River and Hazleton Fire Departments and their Neoteric rescue hovercraft. Watch the video … |
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| February, 2015 |
The Napoleon, Ohio Fire Department’s Neoteric hovercraft rescues not only a family stuck in a boat on the Maumee River – they also rescue the first responders whose boats became stuck or damaged in the shallow water. Watch the ABC News video … |
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And in February, Michigan’s North Muskegon Fire Department, which has utilized Neoteric rescue hovercraft for three decades, hosted an inaugural statewide Ice Rescue Conference and Education Day, attended by numerous fire and rescue departments and the U.S. Coast Guard. North Muskegon’s newest Neoteric HoverTrek performed ice rescue demonstrations and their original craft from 1985 was on display. Watch the news video … |
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Also in February, WOTV 4 Women, an ABC-affiliated TV station in Battle Creek, Michigan, broadcasts a program about Neoteric Hovercraft. Amanda, the host of the daily program Where You Live, learns to pilot a Neoteric HoverTrek on ice and films it for her show. Watch the full episode … |
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In February, in order to offer even more direct, personal service to our customers across the world, Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. made the decision to suspend Neoteric dealerships until further notice. This will further enhance our service by allowing all customers to work directly with top personnel at Neoteric’s headquarters. |
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| March, 2015 |
Global News broadcasts a feature about Moncton Fire Department’s preparation to rescue snowmobiles in Canada with their Neoteric hovercraft. Watch the video … |
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Also in February, the Onset Fire Department in Wareham, Massachusetts uses their Neoteric Hovercraft Workhouse to rescue 10 deer after they fell through the ice into the Atlantic Ocean.
Built in 1990, their hovercraft illustrates the longevity of Neoteric products. Watch the video … |
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| April, 2015 |
Fox 13 TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, broadcasts a feature about the Neoteric rescue hovercraft operated by the Davis County Sheriff’s Department. For three years their hovercraft has saved lives in an area covered by the Great Salt Lake, and when the water is low it leaves miles of mudflats boats can't reach. Watch the video … |
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In April, Neoteric recreational hovercraft are well-represented at the Lake Havasu, Arizona HoverFest, a part of the Lake Havasu Boat Show, one of the premiere boat shows in the Southwest USA. Watch the hovercraft in action … |
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And in April, North Muskegon Fire Department’s Neoteric rescue hovercraft rescues five fishermen from an ice-covered lake in Michigan. Fire Chief Steve Lague reports, “Our hovercraft have saved more lives than 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.” |
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Also in April, the Viet Nam People’s Army purchased two additional 6-passenger Neoteric military hovercraft. Flight Instructor Steve Stafford conducted pilot conducted pilot training
for additional Army personnel on Suoi Lake at the Emergency Response Training Facility near Hanoi. Videos and photos … |
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| May 2015 |
The Mansfield Fire Department’s Neoteric hovercraft rescues numerous victims from floodwaters after tornadoes and thunderstorms battered much of Texas. Mansfield’s Captain William Franks reports, “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.” |
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Later in May, much of Texas is still a flood disaster zone, and the death toll includes first responders and victims lost to failed rescue attempts by vehicles that can’t perform as well as hovercraft in flood rescue operations. Fortunately, several Texas fire departments operate Neoteric rescue hovercraft. Watch a CBS news report showing Wylie Fire-Rescue saving a woman trapped on her submerged car … |
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| July, 2015 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald participates in Hover for Hunger, a unique 500 mile journey up the Wabash River to raise funds for charities that combat childhood hunger in Indiana. The downriver trip has been done by boat, but never by hovercraft and never upriver.
Participants come from all over the United States, and even from as far as Australia. |
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In July, Iowa’s Council Bluffs Fire Department purchases a new 6-passenger Neoteric rescue hovercraft. Appropriately, their first responders complete flight training and learn flood rescue techniques on the Wabash River at 22.8 ft. flood stage. Full story with photos … |
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| August, 2015 |
When rescue boats were unable to reach kayakers trapped in mud, the West Islip Fire Department on Long Island, New York saved them in minutes with their Neoteric hovercraft – the only vehicle that could reach them. Read the full story … |
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| September, 2015 |
Rob Wilson, President of the Neoteric Engineering Affiliates, the Australian branch of Neoteric Hovercraft, and Technical Director for Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. travels to the U.S. to confer with Chris Fitzgerald. Their tasks include developing a skirt testing rig, to further Yamaha engine testing and to develop an enhanced thrust and lift duct system. |
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| October, 2015 |
The Neoteric Hovercraft Golf Cart is chosen to star in the premiere of an upcoming MTV program hosted by brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy Brown of the popular hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd. The pilot episode was filmed at a golf course in Pasadena, California near the Rose Bowl. Full story & photo gallery … |
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And in October, General Motors’ GMC Certified Service features a Neoteric hovercraft in their latest TV commercial. Watch the commercial … |
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| February, 2016 |
President Chris Fitzgerald conducted a week of flight training at Barrick Gold Corporation’s Pueblo Viejo gold, silver and copper mine in the Dominican Republic, one of the largest gold mines in the world. Their Neoteric hovercraft is the only vehicle able to travel over the hazardous sections of the mine’s five tailings ponds. It will be used for the mine’s biodiversity and environmental projects, as well as for surveying and safety & security. Full story & photo gallery … |
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| April, 2016 |
Neoteric was honored to be the only rescue hovercraft exhibitor at the 2016 FDIC (Fire Department Instructor Conference), the world’s largest fire training-based conference and exhibition, held April 18-23 at the Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Read the full story … |
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| June, 2016 |
WOPR, a national water rescue agency in Poland, launched its new Neoteric hovercraft in Szczecin. Purchased from Neoteric’s dealer in Poland, Tecnotek Polska, it is the first rescue hovercraft in Szezecin and the region. “This machine can save people under the most difficult weather conditions that prevent the use of a helicopter. 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," said WOPR's Jason Kleczaj. Full story & photo gallery … |
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September, 2016 |
President Chris Fitzgerald conducted a week of flight training and maintenance instruction for the Pakistan Air Force at the PAF Sea Survival School in Karachi, Pakistan. The two 4-passenger Neoteric hovercraft owned by the PAF are used for security patrol along the Korangi Creek Air Force Base shoreline, which contains mudflats and mangroves that make it inaccessible to all other vehicles. Full story & photos … |
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Also in September, piloted by President Chris Fitzgerald, a Neoteric hovercraft was selected to carry the torch in the signature event of Indiana’s 200th birthday: the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. Modes of transport were selected that were symbolic of the heritage and history of Indiana. As the media often report, Neoteric, with its international clientele and global reputation, has put Terre Haute, Indiana on the world map. Full story, photos, video … |
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| October, 2016 |
Neoteric’s business in China continued to expand. In October, Neoteric’s agent, China Hai Pai Hovercraft, Ltd. – the leading hovercraft company in China – arranged for the YiWu Emergency Rescue Team to demonstrate their Neoteric hovercraft for the Vice-Minister of China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, Mr. Gu ChaoXi, and Major General WenPing Feng, Commander of the ZheJiang Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Full story & photo gallery … |
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Also in October, Yellow River Tourist Attractions in LuLiang City, Shanxi Province, China added two 6-passenger Neoteric hovercraft to the one 4-passenger Neoteric craft they already own. Two engineers from Neoteric’s agent, China Pai Hovercraft, Ltd., conducted additional training on the Yellow River, where the three hovercraft are operated for tourism. Full story with photos … |
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And in October, Lockheed Martin’s new P-791 Hybrid Airship was revealed – in which Neoteric Hovercraft played an important role. In 2005, during the Airship’s development, Lockheed Martin’s test pilots came to Neoteric for flight training on a Neoteric hovercraft and to familiarize themselves with the hovercraft technology to be used in the Airship. Full story with photos … |
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November, 2016 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald and Vice President/Asia Peijun (Peggy) Sun traveled to China November 10-21 to visit current and future customers and to help coordinate the 2018 World Hovercraft Championship, which will take place in Taiyuan. The tour was organized by Mr. Huang of Hai Pai Hovercraft in Shanghai, Neoteric’s agent in China. Locations visited included:
Qikou, Shanxi Provence: Chris Fitzgerald took three hovercraft pilots from Yellow River Tourist Attractions on an exploratory flight in one of their two new 6-passenger Neoteric hovercraft … |
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Taiyuan: President Fitzgerald and Vice President Sun met with the Taiyuan Hovercraft Association, the Shanxi Chinese Arts International Exchange Co. Ltd. and the Ministry of Culture of the Peoples Republic of China to discuss the 2018 World Hovercraft Championship to be held in Taiyuan … |
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Hancheng, Shaanxi Province: A meeting was held with officials who are building the 1000+ acre Shaanxi Development Park, which will feature hovercraft rides … |
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Xian, Shanxi Provence: President Fitzgerald and Vice President Sun, both engineers, inspected two Hovertechnics hovercraft owned by Chan Ba National Park. Xian is the city where one of the greatest archeological discoveries in the world is located: the Terra Cotta Army, thousands of clay soldiers buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di. |
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Shanghai: Fitzgerald and Sun met with Hai Pai Hovercraft, Neoteric’s agent in China, and also visited the owner of China Hovercraft (Feilang Hovercraft), Mr. Yang. |
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 From left: Neoteric VP/Asia Peggy Sun, Neoteric Agent Mr. Huang, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, Interpreter Ms. Eliza, and Hai Pai Chief Engineer Mr. Lu. |
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| From left: Feilang Hovercraft Senior Engineer Mr. Liu, Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald, and Feilang President Terry Yang. |
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Yi Wu: A meeting took place with officials from the Yi Wu Volunteer Fire Rescue Organization, which operates a Neoteric rescue hovercraft. The government has deemed the organization an example for other cities in the province to emulate. |
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Chris Fitzgerald reviews pre-flight inspection procedures with Yi Wu Fire Rescue team members prior to launching their Neoteric hovercraft.
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Yi Wu Chief of Police Mr. Fung and Chris Fitzgerald shake hands after a productive day with the Yi Wu Fire Rescue Organization. |
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Beijing: Chris Fitzgerald and Peggy Sun had a productive meeting with Globeez Fire Technology Co. Ltd., a rescue equipment distributor who is interested in representing Neoteric Hovercraft throughout China. |
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Chris Fitzgerald meets with Patty Wong from Globeez Fire Technology Co. Ltd. |
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| February, 2017 |
Neoteric hovercraft were the star attraction at Canada’s Voyageur Winter Carnival at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of the largest living history attractions in North America, bringing visitors from all over the world. Full story with photos … |
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| April, 2017 |
For the second year in a row, Neoteric and Hovercraft Training Centers were featured as the only rescue hovercraft exhibitor at FDIC (Fire Department Instructor’s Conference), the world’s largest fire training-based conference and exhibition. FDIC 2017 had a record-breaking turnout of 33,979 attendees from 58 nations – the largest FDIC in history. Full story with photos & video … |
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| May, 2017 |
Neoteric President Chris Fitzgerald and Steve Stafford traveled to Guanajuato, Mexico to conduct a week of flight training and maintenance instruction for 20 officers and cadets from Seguridad de Guanajuato, the state security force. The force’s two new Neoteric hovercraft will be used to patrol Lake Yuriria, even when the lake is covered with water lily growth that prevents access by any other watercraft. Full story with photos … |
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