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1990-1999 - 4th Decade
A hover platform was designed, developed and constructed for California Polytechnic State University, to be entered in a National Robotics Competition for Autonomous vehicles, and took second place.
A prototype model, then a full scale 5000-lb. Hoverlifter, was designed and developed for placing sand atop a cranberry bogs in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts. This machine introduced an entirely new construction concept for Hovercraft utilizing aluminum tubing and fabric. It's a Bolt together structure like Ultra Light Aircraft. This structure has the potential to reduce unit cost, improve unit transportation worldwide and being hardy with low maintenance. It exhibits many favorable characteristics that favor it for 3rd world use.
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| Hoverlifter developed by neoteric for cranberry spraying in 1992. Unit can carry 1 ton of sand and draws itself along in a controlled speed by using a guide chain that is placed across a bog or field. It is powered by a Subaru car engine and uses a hydraulic drive for thrust. | |||||
Neoteric performed several hovercraft water rescues in Terre Haute, Indiana during flooding.
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| Two navy blue hovercraft during testing on the Wabash River and prior to shipping to the Bahamas to be used for drug enforcement, December 1991. | Questrek rescue hovercraft for ST. Lawrence County, NY, 1990. Craft was delivered and the rescue team trained on the spot on its use. | A typical Neoteric Questrek rescue hovercraft model with stretcher mount. | |||
Neoteric founded and registered the North American Light Hovercraft Manufacturers Association, which it continues to support today.
Neoteric designed, developed, manufactured, tested and was awarded US Coast Guard Certification for the 8-passenger Neova 8 hovercraft. Several units were built by Neoteric and kits were shipped to Japan. Later kits were shipped to Harbin Shipbuilding in China for assembly and use. Neoteric provided all components and technical support and trained a team from Harbin in Terre Haute for 3 months.
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| US Coast Guard certified 8-passenger Neova 8 hovercraft | Neova 8 utilized for swamp navigation in Mississippi pipeline projects, November 1992 | ||||
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| Neova 8 with 380 V8 engine, Perry Sound, Ontario, Canada | Neova 8 Interior instrumentation and navigation equipment such as radar. | ||||
Neoteric infrastructure improvements were begun, including office modernization; new sidewalks; a break room; new roofs and windows; painting the factory inside and out; site beautification; landscaping; and the construction of a courtyard patio. Factory improvements always continue.
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| “Flying Boats from Terre Haute” Indiana Business Magazine, July 1993 |
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The development of a full relational web based database manufacturing software computer program was begun, in order to manage parts, vendors, customers, materials, costing, invoicing, etc.
Neoteric designed and produced a full color information pack with promotional photographs for marketing purposes.
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| Esso Colombia Questrek rescue hovercraft during on-site training near Cartagena, January 1994 | |||||
Neoteric designed diesel powered 12 and 24-passenger hovercraft for an India contract with SICO.
A 5-member team from Harbin Shipbuilding, China visited Neoteric for 3 months of training.
Neoteric produced the specifications, developed the prototyping, and tested and developed all tooling and manufacturing systems for the Hovertrek™ seat model. The first test was conducted in 1999. Three HHovertrek™ variants were developed -- recreational, commercial and rescue -- along with partially assembled kits and more than 70 options.
A hovercraft assembly operation was established in Bengbu, China. Neoteric employee Doug Ihrig visited China to conduct assembly training.
In-house development began for a Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. company web site.
In April, Chris Fitzgerald visited China Hovercraft Company in Bengbu, China and Harbin Shipbuilding in Harbin, China to negotiate contracts.
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| Chris Fitzgerald with the head of Harbin Shipbuilding. | Contract meeting with Harbin Shipbuilding officers. | ||||
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| Harbin Shipbuilding Neova 8 test drive, China, 2000. | Hovercraft demonstration, China, 2000. | ||||
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| Test drive of one of twelve Neova 8 craft built under license by Harbin Shipbuilding, China | Chris Fitzgerald demonstrates hovercraft operation to Bengbu, China city officials. | ||||
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| Bengbu city officials on board the hovercraft | Demonstrating hovercraft operation on a wheat field. | ||||
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| Demonstrating the hovercraft crossing a berm on a rice paddy. | Chris Fitzgerald conducts classroom instruction during hovercraft pilot training in Bengbu, China. | ||||
Neoteric produced a commercial quality, 3-hour Hovertrek™ kit assembly video to assist customers who purchased partially-assembled models.
A video library for product marketing was begun.
Chris Fitzgerald served as Judge in the London-produced Hovercraft segment of Junkyard Wars.
A new brochure, showing its different applications, was produced for the Hovertrek™.
An extensive marketing report was developed.
Various models of the Hovertrek™ were manufactured and marketed.
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