Prototype passenger variant of electric ‘seaglider’ flies 33ft above water surface in Rhode Island bay.
US firm Regent Craft has carried out the first crewed flight of its prototype ground-effect Viceroy ‘seaglider’, which achieved a height of 33ft above water for 30s during the test.
The flight was conducted at Narragansett Bay off Rhode Island, with two captains on board.
Regent says the electric-powered seaglider lifted out of the water flew a distance of 596m (1,596ft).
The high-wing craft is fitted with 12 motors and rises initially on hydrofoils before becoming airborne and relying on ground effect for lift.
This effect occurs when an aircraft is flying close to, about a wingspan above, the surface – usually water because the undulation of terrain makes overland flight impractical.
At such low heights, the formation of wing-tip vortices is interrupted, downwash is weakened, and this results in a modified airflow field around the wing – reducing drag and increasing the lift coefficient.
“Completing this flight test validates years of rigorous engineering and operational work and gives us the confidence to move into full-rate production,” says Regent chief technology officer Mike Klinker.
The Viceroy flight follows simulations combined with trials over the summer in which the craft’s hydrofoil speed was gradually increased.
Regent disclosed in April that it had flown an uncrewed version of the seaglider, known as Squire, intended for defence customers.
Chief executive Billy Thalheimer says the flight of the Viceroy “marks the start of a new era in mobility”.
He says it will unlock opportunities in passenger travel and cargo transport, as well as defence.
Regent says the seaglider will combine “the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat”.
“A triple-redundant digital control system manages stability autonomously, so even in flight, the captain drives the seaglider like a boat – left, right, fast, and slow,” it adds.
Intended to seat 12 passengers and two crew members, the Viceroy will be able to travel at up to 156kt.
Regent completed construction of a manufacturing facility for the Viceroy at its Quonset headquarters in June, which will be inaugurated this year. Its initial domestic deliveries will be to luxury coastal travel operator The Twenty Five, which is taking up to 60 Viceroys.
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