As a volunteer first responder with the Norman, Michigan Fire Department, Larry Waligorski knows a thing or two about getting in and out of sticky situations. Located in the state's northeastern corner, Norman sits near the famed Pine River, which presents its own variety of unique, water-related rescue challenges for Larry and his team. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River by the U.S. Forest Service, the Pine River also holds the distinction of being the coldest and highest gradient river in Michigan's lower peninsula. When his department recognized a need to navigate the Pine and other area waterways, hovercraft easily became the rescue vehicle of choice, and Waligorski is first in line to attest to the importance of proper training.

"A boat may work on backwaters (which are plentiful in his area), but that same boat doesn't work on the Manistee because of shallow water possibilities," Waligorski explains. "We initially looked into buying a jet boat - but on the last trip of the demo, the guy hit a rock and clipped a big chunk out of the unit. The execution was not acceptable."

In addition to standard boats and jet skis, unacceptable execution also proved to be the case with airboats, further highlighting the department's need for something that could easily navigate a multitude of terrains - without losing "chunks" in the process. Enter hovercraft.

However, as Larry is quick to point out, with the acquisition of a new hovercraft comes the need for proper pilot and maintenance training.

"It's fun but it's also intimidating. When you sit in that seat even after you've been in there one time, it's intimidating," Waligorski explains. "You gain more respect for that piece of equipment - and I don't think you can understand it if you haven't been through [the training]. You can sit and talk to someone, but until you've actually been through it yourself."

Piloting a hovercraft is not the only activity for which training is necessary. As with all forms of machinery, proper maintenance and care is crucial to the longevity and overall effectiveness of the craft throughout its lifespan.

"The maintenance program is exceptionally necessary," the Norman responders agree. "You've got to know how to fix [your hovercraft], you've got to know how to work it, you've got to know its weak points." …

Until one has actually been through the training themselves, Larry asserts, it's difficult to fully comprehend what is required of a pilot. It isn't as easy as it looks, as Larry discovered for himself during his own training with Hovercraft Training Center. In fact, Waligorski was so enthused about the benefits of hovercraft pilot training that he finds himself wishing he could extend it and add to the invaluable education gained during a session with HTC.

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