Hover Garage
Shay and Leonard Hoffman
The Hoffmans build a recreational hovercraft from a Neoteric
Hovercraft kit
We built the hovercraft inside our aircraft hangar, so we
had plenty of room and lots of tools.
Here, there are just about as many parts on the shelf as
have been installed. I wish we had taken photos when all
the parts were on the shelf and then again after construction
when the shelves were empty.
This is the wiring package under the hovercraft's instrument
panel. We used aircraft-style fuses on the instrument panel
so we could find them and replace them when needed.
This is a photo of the Hovertrek's finished instrument panel.
Here she sits on the ground by our lake just before her
first flight. We did a nice job building our hovercraft,
huh?
Here, Leonard takes the hovercraft into the water for the
first time. It worked well at first, but after it came off
cushion it was difficult to get back to shore. It seemed
to be tail-heavy or the drag flap is too long. I got in
with Leonard and we were able to play with it. My opinion
is that it needs weight in the nose.
Shay
Response from Neoteric Hovercraft:
Shay and Leonard, the trim challenge you are experiencing
is a matter of learning how to accelerate through hump drag.
You can correct this by carrying a sandbag (20-30 lbs.)
in the nose of your hovercraft until getting over hump becomes
second nature. Then you can dispense with the sandbag and
the difficulty will disappear.
- Chris Fitzgerald
Note:
Learning to master accelerating through hump drag is an
important part of the certified pilot training (land, water
and classroom) Neoteric offers its customers – free
with purchase at our Terre Haute location ($550 each additional
person.) We also offer pilot training without purchase for
$770, and will apply the fee to the purchase price should
you decide to buy a Neoteric hovercraft. For training at
your location or for more information, call 800-285-3761.
