Welcome To The

Frequently Asked Questions Page

Here's a listing of the most common questions that we receive and their answers

1. Q. Are hovercraft difficult to operate?

    A. Not at all. It's similar to learning how to ride a motorcycle. If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, it

         will take some time to get the feel of it.

2. Q. How long will it take for me to get the hang of it?

    A. Everyone is different, but on average it takes about 5 hours of practice to become proficient.

3. Q. Are hovercraft expensive?

    A. That's a relative question. What's inexpensive to you might be expensive to someone else. The only way to

         answer this question is to compare hovercraft costs to other types of recreational vehicles. Please see the

         chart below:

Brand/Model (MSRP - base pricing)	Price
2008 Ranger Z19 Comanche w/trailer	$48,500.00
2008 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail (Base)	$17,945.00
2008 Hovertechnics, Inc. Hoverjet 447	$10,795.00
2007 Honda AquaTrax F-12X	$10,999.00
2009 Suzuki KingQuad 750 AXi Camo	$7,899.00
2008 Mastercraft X-1 w/trailer	$45,295.00

4. Q. What surfaces can hovercraft fly over?

    A. A hovercraft can travel over most any surface as long as it has a fairly regular contour. Sharp, large jagged rocks

        would be one example of a surface that would not be hovercraft friendly. Surfaces such as ice, snow, short grass,

        water, asphalt, sand, concrete and gravel are all within a hovercraft's capabilities.

5. Q. Can hovercraft climb hills?

    A. It is possible for a hovercraft to climb a slight hill as long as the hill is not long or too steep.

6. Q. Can hovercraft be operated on hilly terrain?

    A. It's possible, but not advisable. A characteristic of hovercraft performance is its nature to follow the contour of the

         terrain over which it is traveling. In short, a hovercraft will slide down a hill once on its air cushion. Only

         experienced pilots should try to operate on hilly terrain. Hovercraft can handle some short hills like banked turns or

         uneven terrain. Order our video to see what we mean.

7. Q. How much weight can a hovercraft carry?

    A. It depends on the model you own. Some can carry 400 lbs. others 1,500 lbs. of payload. The larger the dimensions

        of the craft, the greater the carrying capacity.

8. Q. Will a larger engine help carry more weight?

    A. Not really. A craft's payload capacity is really a function of its overall footprint. The more surface area a craft's hull

         can cover, the more weight it is able to carry. Adding more horsepower will only make the payload easier to move.

9. Q. How long does it take to get a craft once it's ordered and the deposit has been paid?

    A. It all depends on the manufacturer's order load when the order is placed. Some orders can take up to 12 weeks,

         others may only take 6 weeks. Time of production also depends on the model being ordered. Larger craft take

         longer to build.

10. Q. I don't know anyone who owns a hovercraft. Who will show me how to operate it?

      A. We offer all of our customers basic training for hovercraft operation. The manufacturer also provides training.

           Additionally, a thorough training video is provided with each purchase.

11. Q. Do I have to get a special license to operate a hovercraft?

      A. No. Hovercraft are considered boats by the U.S. Coast Guard and governed as such. They are registered as

           boats and licensed as boats. Check with your state regarding their boating laws and rules.

12. Q. Can a hovercraft be financed?

      A. Yes. We can try to help you arrange financing or you may want to contact your local bank and look at what they

           offer. When they ask what you're wanting to finance, tell them it's a hovercraft, but it is classified as a boat.

13. Q. Is there a deposit that must be paid when I place the order for my craft?

      A. Yes. It varies by craft model, but generally 40% of the total order balance must be paid when the order is placed.

           The remaining balance is to be paid prior to the delivery of the unit.  The deposit in non-refundable.

14. Q. How fast will a hovercraft go?

      A. It really depends on the model. In general, most hovercraft can travel up to 45 m.p.h. on water, 70 m.p.h. on ice

           and up to 40 m.p.h. on short grass. Some are faster, some slower.

15. Q. How long will the skirting last?

      A. It depends on the surfaces over which the hovercraft is operated. If the craft is used over water the majority of the time,

           the skirts will last for an indefinite period. However, if the craft is constantly used over rough terrain such as gravel

           or the craft is used for racing, the skirt's life will be cut dramatically. It is generally said that a skirt made out of

           Hypalon will last at least 300 hours in mixed situations (water/land) before it needs to be replaced.

16. Q. Is a hovercraft hard to maintain?

      A. No. Since a hovercraft has very few moving parts, it requires less maintenance than what may be thought.

           Primary maintenance usually includes washing the air filter when it gets dirty, washing the craft when it gets

           dirty, greasing the fan shaft bearings every 10 hours, checking nuts and bolts for tightness and checking the

           skirting for damage and replacing when/if necessary. That's it!

17. Q. Will a hovercraft sink if the engine is off while it's on the water?

      A. No. All hovertechnics, Inc. hovercraft are constructed with a foam inner core that provides more than enough

           floatation for the craft and its occupants. That's the great thing about hovercraft, you get the best of both worlds.

           If you want to shut the engine off and float like a boat, you can. Find your favorite fishing spot and spend hours

           there floating on the water.

18. Q. Are hovercraft loud?

      A. Most Hovertechnics hovercraft produce noise levels of 80 - 92 db. These sound levels are measured at 25 feet.

           The lower number represents the hovercraft running at cruise speed. The higher number is measured when the

           hovercraft is operated at full power. To give you some comparison, please refer to the chart below:

Environmental Noise

Normal Conversation	65 db
Telephone Dial Tone	80 db
Train Whistle At 500'	90 db
Power Mower	107 db
Power Saw	110 db
Jet Engine At 100'	140 db

OSHA Daily Permissible Noise Level Exposure

Hours Per Day	Sound Level
8	90 db
6	92 db
4	95 db
3	97 db
2	100 db
1.5	102 db
1	105 db
.5	110 db
.25	115 db

19. Q. Should I wear hearing protection when I operate my hovercraft?

      A. Yes, always. There are several options for hearing protection. Foam, inner ear plugs are very good.

           If you have the means, noise cancelling, two-way communication head-sets are superb. Check with each

           hearing protection manufacturer to determine how effective their devices are in reducing noise.

20. Q. Is insurance coverage available for my hovercraft?

      A. Yes. There are a couple of sources for coverage. Please contact us for insurance company information.

21. Q. Are hovercraft street legal?

      A. No. They are designed for off-road use only.

22. Q. Do you keep hovercraft in-stock at your dealership or is this order only?

      A. We do have hovercraft for sale at our dealership. Unless we are bought out of stock, we always try to keep

           an inventory of at least two units. The reasons for this is to help customers avoid production wait periods

           when they want a craft and also for display purposes.

23. Q. How much does it cost to replace the skirting?

       A. In most cases, only individual segments will need to be replaced. It is rare that an entire skirt system will need

            to be replaced at the same time. As of 7/1/2006, depending on the model, prices for skirt segments range from

            $13.50 - $17.00 a piece.

24. Q. How do I find others that are interested in hovercraft or people who own hovercraft in my area?

       A. The internet is a great tool for finding information regarding your interests. There are groups and organizations that

            are specifically geared toward the sport of hovercraft. One example would be the Hoverclub Of America, Inc.

            They are located at www.hoverclubofamerica.org. You'll be able to find other people in your area that will be

            happy to welcome you into their group.

25. Q. Are there any special events around the country that I can attend to see hovercraft in action?

      A. Yes. Every year, on the last full weekend in June, in Chillicothe, OH, an event with the largest gathering

           of hovercraft in North America takes place. Featured events during the weekend are hovercraft racing,

           hovercraft cruising and a hovercraft model competition.

26. Q. Are there any restricted areas where hovercraft cannot be operated?

      A. Most public waterways allow hovercraft operation. In the state of Ohio, some state lakes prohibit the use

           of hovercraft. However, the state DNR leaves those decisions to the local authorities having jurisdiction.

          Check with your state to find out if any restrictions apply. If they do, talk to the local authority to see if you

          can get a waiver. Private bodies of water or waterways are the jurisdiction of the property owner. Permission

          must be received from them before operating on their territory. Written permission is always the best.

27. Q. What does "Getting over the hump" mean?

      A. In hovercraft terms, it means climbing over a wave (or hump) on the water created by the hovercraft's air

          cushion. It's similar to the definition of a boat getting "on plane". As a hovercraft passes over the water, the

          craft's air cushion pushes down against the water's surface, displacing it. If a hovercraft starts forward from a

          dead stop over water, the air cushion forces the water down and creates a bowl effect in the water's surface.

          The hovercraft must then climb out of the bowl. With the water displaced, a small wave is created in front of the

          craft's forward (bow) skirting. The craft must climb over this "bow" wave (hump) before it can reach

          operating speed.  In most cases, Hovertechnics' hovercraft can climb over the hump in 3-5 seconds.

28. Q. What is meant by a hovercraft "plowing-in"?

      A. All hovercraft are suscecptible to this phenomenon. In basic terms, it's when a hovercraft's under hull

           makes contact with the surface over which it is traveling. Since air is what lubricates the craft's underside, it is

           also what separates the craft's bottom hull from the surface. When a craft's under hull makes contact with the

           surface, depending on the plow's intensity, it can either cause the operator to feel a slight bump or cause them to

           be ejected from the craft.

29. Q. What causes a hovercraft to plow-in?

      A. A plow-in can be caused by several circumstances: skirt tuck, craft trim due to poor weight distribution, windy

           weather, surface conditions and shifting payload are the most common causes. It is recommended that when

           hovering in a straight line going bow forward, the pilot should maintain a "nose-up" attitude. This keeps the craft's

           front skirts from dragging the surface, which prevents them from tucking under, either by wave contact or contact

           with objects on land.

30. Q. Can a plow-in be avoided?

      A. Yes. An experienced operator knows when conditions are right for a hovercraft to plow. Since plow-ins are

           rarely instant, a hovercraft pilot can sense when it's about to happen and take steps to prevent it. In most cases,

           a plow can be avoided by the operator and/or passengers shifting their weight away from the craft's direction of

           travel. This action tilts the craft's leading edge up, which helps to keep the skirt from tucking under. When the

           skirting "tucks under" it cuts off the air supply to that part of the craft's air cushion. This reduction in air supply to

           the air cushion is what causes the craft's hull to drop and make contact with the surface. In concert with leaning

           away from the craft's direction of travel, the operator should increase the craft's throttle setting to force more air

           underneath of the craft. If both of these measures are employed at the same time, the plow should be avoided.

31. Q. Do plow-ins just happen on water?

      A.  No.  Plow-ins can happen on both land and water.  In fact, plow-ins that happen on land can be much more

            serious than those on water.  Caution should be observed at all times when hovering over uneven terrain,

            obstacles and wet mud.  Wet mud tends to grab the skirt and cause it to tuck.  If this happens at a high enough

            speed, this could cause a roll-over if the craft is moving in a sideways slide.  Side plows are much more dangerous

            than front plows.  The reason for this is because the craft is longer than it is wide, making the craft less stable if it

            were to make contact with the surface while traveling sideways.  It is easier to be ejected from a craft in a

            side plow.  If you are unsure of the terrain, stop before you turn.  Once stopped, proceed to bring the craft up on

            cushion while turning the rudders to the desired direction.  This simple step will eliminate the possibility of a side

            plow.

32.  Q.  Why does Hovertechnics, Inc. offer craft with "Front Air First" air distribution?

       A.  Hovertechnics offers this technology to help make operating a hovercraft as safe as possible.  Sending a portion

             of the lift air directly to the bow helps keep the craft's front skirting as ridgid as possible.  This maintains a solid air

             cushion under the bow, thereby making it very difficult to plow the craft.  All Hovertechnics, Inc. hovercraft are

             designed with the front air first technology.  Their hovercraft are very forgiving and very easy to fly.

33.  Q.  Are hovercraft titled vehicles?

       A.  In the state of Ohio, hovercraft are required to be titled.  The manufacturer supplies a manufacturer's statement of

             origin (MSO) that provides all of the information necessary to obtain a title.  In Ohio, a hovercraft must be titled

             before the state will issue the craft its registration.  Check with your state to determine their requirements.

34.  Q.  Is a warranty offered with a new Hovertechnics, Inc. hovercraft?

       A.  Only Commercial and Rescue Hovercraft from Hovertechnics, Inc. are covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

             Hovertechnics, Inc. warrants to the first purchaser of these new Hovertechnics' hovercraft that it will repair or

             replace free of charge any manufacturing defects resulting from faulty workmanship or defective materials (except

             fan blades, skirt segments and ties), found under normal use in the United States and Canada to be defective in

             factory materials or workmanship within 180 days of the ex-factory delivery to the first user.  All recreational

             hovercraft sold new to the first user are sold "As Is" with no warranty.

35.  Q.  Does Air Cushion Sports provide any warranty for the hovercraft that they sell?

       A.  No.  Air Cushion Sports is a dealer representative of Hovertechnics, Inc.  Air Cushion Sports only sells hovercraft 

             and is not involved, in any way, with the manufacturing process or manufacturer's warranty.  All warranty questions

             must be communicated directly to the manufacturer.

36.  Q.  Does Air Cushion Sports have a return policy?

       A.  No.  All sales are final.  Once your purchase is complete, you are the owner of the hovercraft.  If for any reason you

             change your mind regarding the hovercraft purchase, it is your responsibility to handle the sale of the hovercraft.

37.  Q.  Are 2-stroke engines reliable?

       A.  The short answer is YES!  A single cylinder, 2-stroke engine has very few moving parts, three to be exact.  These

             parts are the crank shaft, connecting rods and the pistons, whereas a simple 4-stroke engine has at least nine moving

             parts - crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshaft, 2 plungers, 2 levers, 2 valves and the necessary oil pump. 

             With fewer moving parts, the potential for failure is greatly reduced.  As with any engine, the owner must provide

             basic service so that the motor can continue to deliver reliable performance - this is true of 2-stroke or 4-stroke

             engines.  Since 2-stroke engines are very reliable the ultra-light airplane industry and the sport aviation industry use

             them in abundance.

38.   Q.  Are you saying that 2-stroke engines are better than their 4-stroke counterparts? 

        A.  For light hovercraft applications we think so and here's why, light hovercraft perform better when their overall

             weight is kept to a minimum.  Since the engine is a key component to all light hovercraft, it makes sense to keep

             the motor as light and powerful as possible.  No other engine type offers a better power to weight ratio than a

             2-stroke.  2-strokes really pack a punch for their weight.  Just to give you one comparison take the Rotax 503

             used by Hovertechnics, Inc., it can achieve 60 hp at a weight of 72 lbs.  Its 60 hp 4-stroke counterpart would

             weigh approximately 220 lbs to achieve the same performance.

39.   Q.  For what other reasons would you recommend a 2-stroke engine?

        A.  There's several.  No oil changes are necessary for a 2-stroke, which translates into less maintenance

              for its owner.  A 2-stroke always receives fresh oil on every stroke, which means the engine's internal

              parts are receiving the best lubrication possible at all times.  If a 4-stroke doesn't receive its regularly scheduled

              oil changes, its internal parts begin to suffer since the oil begins to break down and burn off during the combustion

              process.  Even if the oil change schedule is maintained, the 4-stroke engine is still operating with oil that is used and

              reused several times and doesn't offer the protection that new oil does.  2-strokes don't use oil pumps, which is also

              one less filter that needs to be changed and one less opportunity for failure and one less maintenance item for you.

40.   Q.  Aren't 2-stroke engines noisy? 

       A.  It depends on how they're muffled and how they're set-up.  Ask yourself this question, are all 4-strokes quiet?  If

             your answer to that is yes, maybe you haven't heard a modified Harley-Davidson or a sportbike pass you on the

             highway.  These motorcycles use 4-stroke engines and can be extremely loud.  To give you an imperical

             point-of-view, in 1992 the Hoverclub of America, Inc. held a competition for all hovercraft to see who had or could

             build the quietest hovercraft.  Everyone just knew that the hovercraft that would win would have to be powered with

             a 4-stroke engine.  2-stroke and 4-stroke powered hovercraft entered the competition and were tested by running    

             their engine or engines at full power while sound measurements were being taken by a club marshal.  Long story 

             short, a 50 hp 2-stroke powered craft won the competition.  There was such disbelief among the club that all

             craft were tested a second and third time.  The results came back the same each time.  This was also in the face

             of a long time hovercraft builder entering a hovercraft that was designed especially for the competition and was

             thought to be the quietest hovercraft ever built.  It came in second as it lost by being 1 decibel louder than the

             2-stroke craft.  If you doubt the validity of this story, our boss will be happy to show you the 1st place plaque

             he received at the competition.

41.   Q.  I've heard that 2-stroke engines are dirty and produce more pollution than 4-strokes, is that true?

        A.  This is a myth.  The EPA requires all engine manufacturers to follow specific guidelines relative to their engines'

              emissions whether 2 or 4 stroke.  To say that one engine type is cleaner than another would be incorrect. 

              It all depends on the engine's set-up.  I'm sure you've sat behind a car that was less than clean when referring to

              its engine's exhaust emissions.  When a 2-stroke engine is set-up properly, its emissions will be equivelant to a

              4-stroke engine that has been set-up properly.  Where the 2-stroke has the advantage over the 4-stroke is there's

              no oil to change.  If polluting the environment is a concern of yours ask yourself this question, where does all of the

              used oil from 4-stroke engines go?

42.   Q.  Why does Hovertechnics use belt reduction drive instead of gear reduction?

        A.  Hovertechnics, Inc. made this design decision for several reasons.  It is very important to Hovertechnics, Inc. that

              it produce a craft that handles well and is safe.  By using belt reduction drive, the engine can be installed in the

              lowest position possible within the craft.  Since the engine component represents a substantial amount of weight

             compared to other craft components, keeping it as low as possible keeps the craft's overall center of gravity low. 

             A low center of gravity translates into a better handling, better performing and safer hovercraft.  Some hovercraft

             manufacturers have elected to use gear reduction drive, which requires them to perch the engine at a higher

             position so that the gear drive is centered in the fan duct.  On average this position is approximately 24 inches

             higher than a belt reduction set-up.  Hovercraft with a gear reduction set-up tend to feel less stable when on

             cushion (easily tipping from side to side) and have a higher potential of roll-over under the right conditions.  If you're

             lucky enough to be able to test both designs, you'll immediately be able to feel the difference between the two.

             Another reason for belt reduction drive is weight savings.  Typical gear reduction components can add approximately

            10 lbs to the hovercraft's overall weight, further reducing the craft's performance.

43.  Q.  How long will the drive belt last?

       A.  It's difficult to say exactly because hovercraft are used in different conditions.  It's not unusual for a

             recreational and commercial hovercraft to see a belt life of several hundreds of operating hours.  In the case of

             Hovertechnics' large hovercraft (Hoverguard 800, 1000, 2000), those belts have an indefinite life due to the

             fact that they are made of Kevlar.  In most cases, belt wear will not be a concern for the hovercraft owner.  If a

             belt is to wear it's primarily because of debris such as sand that gets inbetween the belt and the pulley.  If you

             were to use your hovercraft on sand dunes its entire life, you would see belt wear.  If operation over sand is

             only a small percentage of the surface over which you are hovering, belt wear will be negligible.  Generally, the

             pulleys over which the belt is traveling will show signs of wear before the belt does.  Again, we're talking about

             several hundreds of operating hours before pulley replacement would be necessary.  Unlike a gearbox, belt

             reduction drives require little maintenance and no fluid changes.