New Travel Flying Boat - REGENT
REGENT's Seaglider
Combo Plane & Boat for Coastal Commutes
It's being called the next generation of coastal transportation. A flying electric boat or ferry, capable of carrying 12 passengers, is currently being tested in the waters of Tampa Bay Florida. It is the invention of Boston aerospace startup REGENT, founded by two MIT aerospace engineers. This vehicle is six times faster than a water ferry and is one-half the cost of a regular plane. The Mayor of nearby St. Peterburg calls it "more energy efficient, more climate friendly and less stressful" than current forms of travel.
WIGs
The Seaglider is potentially disruptive technology. The vehicle is categorized as a WIG or Wing in Ground Effect craft. WIGs glide over the water using ground effect, which is the aerodynamic interaction between the moving wing and the surface below. It achieves higher speeds and uses less energy than traditional aircraft. WIGs are regulated by the Coast Guard not by the FAA. Seaglider has a range of 180 miles between charges. It will become operational in 2025. The company is targeting coastal routes like Boston to New York, Tampa to Key West, New York City to the Hamptons and Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Big Investors
This new travel technology has the potential to revolutionize travel. Big investors like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Peter Thiel's Founder's Fund and Caffeinated Capital that invested early in supersonic jet startup Boom are providing capital funding to REGENT. The flying ferry motors out of the harbor on its hydrofoil, uses the water as a runway to takeoff and then flies a few feet above the waves. It has 8 electric motor and is a brand-new form of green travel.
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