REGENT Craft Inc. has announced the launch of its new all-electric vehicle called a seaglider, the first form of zero-emissions, high-speed transportation that flies along coastal routes operated by airlines, ferry companies, and governments. The flying machine (the model has not been given a name) combines the speed, comfort, and navigation systems of an aircraft with the convenience, maneuverability, and affordability of a boat.
The startup’s first vehicle will carry 12 passengers and its next will carry at least 50 passengers. The vehicles will be as safe as aircraft and have better wave and wind tolerance than existing seaplanes and WIG (wing-in-ground-effect) vehicles. They will be able to transport commercial passengers and critical cargo with a range of 180 mi (290 km) at a speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and leverage existing battery technology and dock infrastructure.
In the first quarter of 2021, REGENT (Regional Electric Ground Effect Naval Transport) received $465 million in provisional orders from some of the world’s largest airlines and ferry companies. Launch partners are Goombay Air, Fly The Whale, and SplitExpress.com. Aircraft operators are excited because seagliders are half the operating cost of aircraft, and ferry operators are excited because the seagliders are six times faster. For all customers, REGENT enables faster door-to-door times and complete elimination of emissions.
The company’s most recent $9 million seed financing round was led by Founders Fund, with participation from Dallas Mavericks owner and technology investor Mark Cuban, Y Combinator, Caffeinated Capital (lead investor in Boom Supersonic), Thiel Capital, Relativity Space founder Jordan Noone, and Fitbit founder James Park.
“The efficiency of coastal transportation will be 100x greater with REGENT,” said Cuban, who was the first investor in billion-dollar rocket manufacturer Relativity Space. “There is no other way to describe it. The idea of having to get between two coastal points is always stress-inducing. REGENT changes all that and makes it fast and easy. REGENT will give people a step-change improvement in transportation. Passengers will spend less time in transit and more time with their families.”
The company says it is well-funded, with significant runway, and is continuing to grow its team from across the aviation and maritime industries.
Founders Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker worked together while both studying aerospace engineering at MIT as well as during their time at Aurora Flight Sciences and Boeing. Thalheimer brings his experience leading strategy and execution across future-mobility verticals including test flight, future product design, and component development to REGENT as its CEO. Mike has built and written control software for over a dozen aircraft and brings his advanced flight controls and abundant flight test experience to REGENT as its CTO. They lead a team that includes Bryan Baker, Lead Designer; Dan Cottrell, Director of Engineering; and Ted Lester, Director of Systems, Safety, Certification.
The seaglider operates in a variety of modes, enabling safe operations across a diverse set of environments. After departing a dock, the vehicle initially operates at low speeds—20-45 mph (32-72 km/h)—on a hydrofoil offering comfortable, wave-tolerant sailing as it leaves crowded city harbors. Upon reaching open water, the vehicle takes off and accelerates to high speeds—45-180 mph (72-290 km/h)—staying within one wingspan of the water’s surface. Flight safety at these low altitudes is achieved using a multiply-redundant, state-of-the-art navigation and control system.
Similar to a hovercraft, seagliders fly on a dynamic air cushion created by the pressurized air between the wings and water. The aerodynamic advantage of this so-called “ground effect,” combined with operational efficiencies of always being a few feet away from a safe landing, give seagliders double the range of an electric aircraft.
The company views itself as part of the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) ecosystem aimed at making UAM (Urban Air Mobility) a reality. It envisions a future where seagliders and eVTOLs work in tandem to create an all-electric, multi-modal transportation system. Seagliders will provide regional coastal connectivity, eVTOLs will provide terminal urban connectivity, and all will share charging infrastructure at transportation hubs.
The company’s first vehicle is projected to operate under Coast Guard jurisdiction. Its design basis agreement with the Coast Guard is in process, and it is maintaining a close line of communication with both the Coast Guard (Office of Engineering Standards) and FAA (Emerging Concepts & Innovation group). Over time, the company says that a collaborative approach between aviation and maritime authorities is key to deploy seagliders at scale.
REGENT has been flight-testing its maritime detect-and-avoid solution and is on pace for the first flight of a quarter-scale prototype by Q4 of this year.
