Question #1 - Where can hovercraft be used?  Oceans, lakes, rivers, rapids, flood plains, wetlands, swamps, whitewater, shallows, dry riverbeds, deserts, beaches, mud flats, rice fields, snow, ice, grass, pavement, gravel, or any combination.  Almost any surface, not necessarily flat.  This is true of pretty much any size or shape of hovercraft.  Of course various laws and regulations will determine where you are actually allowed to use one.

      Question #2 - How fast can they go?  Hovercraft have a broad range of speeds depending on the purpose of the craft.  Racing hovercraft can go upwards of 160km/h (100mph) and in most cases seat just the driver.  Leisure craft can usually reach 60 to 70km/h (40mph +) and will carry 2 to 4 people.  Utility craft are normally built for carrying heavy loads rather than for speed, so you won’t be racing with one.  Top speed is usually directly related to the engine(s) and the overall design of the craft.

      Question #3 - How big are they?  Recreational hovercraft are roughly 3m to 4m (10’ to 13’) long and 1.8m to 2.1m (6’ to 7’) wide.  They weigh between 150kg (330lbs) and 300kg (660lbs).

      Question #4 - How many passengers can they carry?  Recreational models generally seat 1 to 4 people.  Some claim to seat 5 or 6, but photos of these craft tell a different story.  It is usually pretty obvious the craft is straining under the weight and/or the passengers are getting to know each other very intimately!  Realistically, the only models that can comfortably seat 5 or more people are expensive mid-sized vessels falling outside the category of small leisure hovercraft.

      Question #5 - Are they safe?  Hovercraft are inherently safe vehicles, but some models have more additional safety features than others.  Some have options like engine-kill lanyards, impact bumpers, and landing skids.  Some have passed fire, buoyancy, flooding, and other tests.  Because they’re so safe, hovercraft are preferred for thin ice and rapids rescue all over the world.  One insurance industry report stated that not a single hovercraft injury or damage claim has been filed in 40 years in the U.S.  That’s pretty safe.

      Question #6 - How far off the ground do they fly?  Recreational and racing hovercraft fly between 8 and 10 inches off the ground.  More powerful engines, and/or seperate lift engines, will produce maximum lift.

      Question #7 - Are they easy to operate?  There are a variety of controls used to fly hovercraft, and some models are simpler than others.  High speed racing models require you to lean forcefully into turns and separately control lift and thrust, whereas leisure models are made to eliminate these problems.  Most single-engine craft are easy to learn, whereas two-engine designs will take more practice to master.  Old models had levers, control sticks, and even bicycle handlebars for steering.  Modern designs have twist-grip controls like a motorbike or jet-ski, which makes driving very easy.  New hovercraft hulls are also better balanced, with the majority of weight in the bottom of the craft, fixing a very common tipping problem with most older hovercraft.

      Question #8 - How much do they cost?  Recreational hovercraft go from about $10,000 to $45,000 (Canadian dollars) brand new, with a corresponding range of noise, safety, quality, size, and other features.  Used models could be anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on model, year, and what shape it’s in.  You might build yourself something that is technically a hovercraft (it really would fly but would never pass Coast Guard certification, and you'd only be able to use it on your own property) with the cheapest possible materials for less than $1,000.

      Question #9 - What kind of license do I need?  Drivers are often called pilots because hovercraft actually fly, but you don’t need a pilot’s license.  And since hovercraft aren’t street legal, you don’t need an automobile driver’s license either.  The only thing you’ll need is a Pleasure Craft Operator Card when traveling over water, when hovercraft are considered boats.  And of course you need proper operating insurance on the craft, not just property/theft insurance as some people seem to think.

      Question #10 - What rules apply to operating hovercraft in Canada?  If you plan on traveling over both land and water (that’s the fun of a hovercraft, isn’t it?) the craft must have a hull number like a jet-ski or boat.  And when you’re on water you need to follow boating regulations.  You’ll need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card and insurance.  You’ll need PFDs (personal floatation devices - life jackets) for each passenger, a signaling device (whistle), and other things required of small marine craft.  When traveling on land you can do without these things, but you may want a helmet and other similar dirtbike or snowmobile safety gear if driving a fast craft.