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Don Abernathy had purchased a used Hovertrek and
found that there were missing patches of foam in
the hull. He took the craft to the Neoteric plant
and attended the classroom portion of a training
session while Neoteric technicians investigated and
repaired the damage to the craft.
“Just to let anyone know… I just returned
from Neoteric Factory where I got to meet Chris and his
staff…
After speaking to Chris on the phone, I left Wed. from
San Antonio,TX and arrived there (at factory) next day (1101
miles).
Without any delay, Chris and his staff got on researching
the problem and began repairs.
I was extremely impressed with the teamwork and
efficiency of these guys…! I do not think I could
have had better service or better quality workmanship
anywhere.
I had the opportunity to sit in on one of Chris’
training sessions and was truly impressed with the lesson
plan and information. His communication skills are great for
both technical and non technical students.
I am very glad that I had the opportunity to meet the
folks there and experience the professionalism at the
facility.
I actually believe they went way beyond what they needed
to do to get me back in motion. Thanks Guys…!!!
I plan on putting the “2nd Responder” in the
water Mon or Tues at Canyon Lk, TX for the final testing of
equipment.”
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Don Abernathy
Ultralights USA/Eagle Management Group
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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“It's cool!!!!
It arrived late last night and today we had our maiden flights on Caverhill
Lake. It does indeed have a magnetic attraction to trees!!
Larry and I will be practicing over the next few months and will call if we
have any questions. You are certainly welcome to give our name and number
to prospective clients on the west coast or in Canada. We are impressed
with your on time manufacturing and the quality of the craft. Handling it
will take some time to become proficent but our ice conditions are perfect
for learning.”
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Marlene Loney
The Caverhill Fishing Lodge
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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“The Neoteric Hovercraft is a “craft of the margins”. It's the missing link in river transportation, for surveying and water system research.”
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Matthew Coolidge
Program Manager
Center for Land Use Interpretation
Culver City, CA
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“The hydrologists are using the craft and the transponder is gathering lots
of data and working fine. I saw the hovercraft on a gravel beach the other day way
upstream below a dam, so I know it's being used and going where nothing else
could.”
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Lynn Ausland
Training Supervisor
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
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Discussing the merits of the six-passenger Hovertrek
“Were the pilot as flawless as the craft, we would have few worries.”
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Robert N Rossier
Atlantic Winds Inc.
Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
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| “[South Africa] Nature Conservation
... are very happy [with their new craft]. They are pleasantly
surprised at the “delayed” reaction by crocodiles
and hippos, and are prepared to support us with official
studies [concerning the use of hovercraft to stalk such
animals].” |
| “It’s amazing, but we can get
within five meters before these animals decide to move.
When they move, it is for only a short distance. Even
pelicans behave the same. In a boat, the closest we can
get is thirty meters, then they take off and leave the
area.” |
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Winstone Jordaan
Futurist
Extreme Fun
South Africa
http://www.extremefun.co.za/
Hovercraft used by KZN Wildlife
http://www.kznwildlife.com/
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21 November 2007
“On our last and final trip of the 2007 season the
hovercraft performed well. We surveyed the Rainy River
on the Canadian/Minnesota border. The river was running
9 feet above normal and the flow was 4 times the normal
volume. This made for some interesting rapids which the
HC seemed to enjoy.”
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Mike Wood
CEO, President
LakeMaster Lake Maps
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“I must tell you that even though I have had
several odd mechanical breakdowns I am very satisfied
with the performance of the craft especially for our
extreme work conditions and survey requirements.”
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Mike Wood
President
LakeMaster Lake Maps
Little Falls, Minnesota
http://www.lakemap.com
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| “The craft has about 65 hours on
it and has been working very well. We are able to survey
twice as much water as we would with traditional boats.
My water pilot abilities have improved and I am much more
confident. I am able to track as close as 5 feet from
obstacles at 15 to 20 miles per hour and of course go
over many hazards that would sink our other boats.” |
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Mike Wood
President
LakeMaster Lake Maps
Little Falls, Minnesota
http://www.lakemap.com
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[Explanation of application] The Racine, Wisconsin
Airport has a large quarry at the end of the runway
in which geese collect. These present a hazard to aircraft
operation. The hovercraft is utilized to annoy the geese
and drive them off -- This is a joint undertaking between
the airport authority and the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources.
"The hovercraft is running great, and I am getting
a lot better and feeling more comfortable with it every
day. I have been in the water, ice, and land with no
problems. I have given the local media rides, and they
were very impressed. By the way the geese don't like
your machine at all. I will keep in touch with you."
"Craft is running great, real happy with the machine.
The cab Neoteric fitted is working out great. To remove
ice and snow we are using RainX and a hand operated
squeege. The geese hate the thing, we have hardly any
geese left."
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Mike Loew
Airport Assistant Manager
John H Batten Airport
Racine, Wisconsin
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| “We have a Hoverguard 700 as well
as a Neoteric Hovertrek Rescue Hovercraft. Generally we
feel the Hovertrek is much lighter weight so that it needs
only one person to load and unload, can come up and down
dykes quickly and requires a small space for parking.
With reverse thrust system it can be controlled while
moving towards target, can pass through narrow and meandering
stream or river channel or even a water gate. On ice it
breaks speed. The Hovertrek body is more elastic than
Hoverguard and is better at absorbing impacts.” |
Mr. Ning
Chairman
Huaihe River Commission
China |
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| "It stopped raining here when we bought
your hovercraft, so you should be able to sell a lot to
mosquito control. Well, we really do get some use of our
hovercraft, even in the drought - and just take a look
at the paint job." |
Howard Emerson
Superintendent
Camden County Mosquito Commission
Lindenwood, New Jersey |
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| "We are getting better and better
at operating our hovercraft. It is ideal. We can get over
the grass and not damage it. The hovercraft is definitely
allowing us to access areas we couldn't normally." |
T. J. Savereno
National Marine Fisheries Lab
Charleston, South Carolina
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| "The hovercraft works beautifully
getting into shallows and running over ice and water.
We are using our Neova 6 in support of winter forestry
management projects along the Mississippi River." |
Operator Dan Oles
US Army Corps of Engineers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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| "Last year we operated our Workhorse
three days a week from dawn to 1:00 AM. It's a stable
work platform and safe up on hover. You feel secure in
it. On the Illinois River we got caught in barge-wake
and the boil behind the barge. The hovercraft got out
of it. Some of the old river boys said you wouldn't normally
get out of it in a boat. We have also been using our hovercraft
to break ice." |
Dr. Robert Sheehan
Fisheries Research Laboratory
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois
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| "Once again the hovercraft did a fine
job without any problems. Each time I operate the craft,
it seems to get easier and, therefore, makes my job easier." |
Darrell Wehde
Fox Farms
Foley, Missouri
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| "I have seen one of your hovercraft,
and it was the most amazing piece of equipment I have
ever seen!" |
John Roop
Anchorage, Alaska
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"Yesterday I dropped George off for
a 110 mile downstream trip through some very remote terrain.
He had to travel through a military training base with
deep canyons and without any access allowed up on a shore
due to live fire tank training that goes on. It was an
extremely hot day and the hovercraft worked flawlessly
with no overheating problems. The 100-mile trip took about
6 hours of running time on the engine and 9 hours altogether
with extra time for floating and breaks."
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"I just got back from 3 hours of hovering
tonight and the hovercraft performed remarkably well.
From prairie badlands to rivers flowing out of the mountains,
my area of Alberta has a diverse variety of rivers that
would make your mouth water. I took a passenger with me
and went up a narrow winding river filled with rocks,
boulders, fallen trees and some light rapids with fast
moving water."
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"I'm getting a little more confident
with more challenging river terrain and I am amazed at
the maneuverability and control you can have with my hovercraft.
It is a truly amazing piece of engineering design."
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"After a few hours of piloting my
hovercraft I think the reverse buckets are the greatest
asset of your design. The beauty of them is they do much
more than re-direct the airflow; it is my feeling that
best of all they act like parachutes on a dragster. The
drag they provide is superb for braking and maneuverability.
I cannot imagine operating a hovercraft without them.
It would seem insane for anyone to hovercrafts manufactured
without them."
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"Many thanks for all your advice from
our previous meetings/discussions. I often think back
to our discussions and think to myself that you sure know
what you are talking about! You have many years of hard-earned
experience."
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"Every time I am cruising down the
river in the hovercraft I think, 'What an incredible piece
of engineering.' Believe me, I am grateful to you for
producing and selling such a great machine. Exploring
these local rivers would take days by canoe and now it
only takes a matter of hours."
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| "I appreciate it for its ability to
take me places a jet boat or a canoe cannot navigate." |
Colin Weir
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre
Coaldale, Alberta, Canada
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| "In spite of our complete mismanagement
of this piece of equipment (hovercraft) it's still working.
It's paid for itself and it's done everything Neoteric
said it would. It carries the payload (bags of shrimp
eggs) off the shore line out to our waiting boats".
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Mark Ban
Manager
Salt Creek, Inc.
Great Salt Lake, Utah
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