REGENT’s Viceroy Seaglider prototype rises out of the water for the first time, successfully completing her first series of tests in low-speed foil mode. The Seaglider vessel operates exclusively over the water in three modes: floating on the hull, foiling on hydrofoils, and flying in ground effect, within one wingspan from the surface of the water.
source.image: REGENT Craft
REGENT’s latest sea trial campaign tests the vessel’s hydrofoiling capability on water ahead of the first flight later this year. Made with a simple design, it is described as an affordable option needing less operating and maintenance costs compared to traditional maritime platforms.
source.image: REGENT Craft
This electric aircraft is designed to travel only over water in three ways: floating on its hull, gliding above the surface on hydrofoils, and flying just above the water using ground effect, staying within one wingspan of the surface.
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As we’ve looked at in the past, the 16.8-m Viceroy is a unique craft designed to navigate coastal waters in three modes: float, foil and fly.
It can float on its robust fuselage-hull at low speeds around harbors before speeding up on the open water and lifting onto its hydrofoils for speeds up to 58 mph 12 passengers will be carried on flights of up to 180 miles (290 km) over coastal waters, with retractable hydrofoils used during the take-off run.
