In a remarkable stride toward sustainable transportation, the U.S.-based company Regent Craft has unveiled the inaugural prototype of its Viceroy seaglider, a groundbreaking vehicle poised to redefine coastal mobility. This innovative craft, capable of floating, foiling, or skimming just above the water’s surface, boasts a wingspan of nearly 20 meters, positioning it as one of the most expansive all-electric aerial vehicles ever constructed.

Crewed trials assessing its on-water performance commenced in March 2025, with plans for airborne evaluations slated for later this year. These efforts build on earlier tests conducted in 2022 with a quarter-scale model, signaling a steady march toward operational readiness.

The Viceroy seaglider is engineered to ferry 12 passengers swiftly across coastal routes, presenting a compelling alternative to conventional boats and airplanes. Measuring 16.75 meters in length and powered by a dozen electric propellers six mounted on each wing it promises a range of approximately 333 kilometers and a cruising speed approaching 300 kilometers per hour.

Controlled via a sophisticated fly-by-wire system, this vessel seamlessly transitions between floating on its hull, gliding over waves on hydrofoils, and flying within the ground effect zone a narrow band of airspace within one wingspan of the water’s surface. By leveraging existing dock infrastructure, it sidesteps the need for costly new landing facilities, enhancing its practicality.

A fusion of maritime and aeronautical innovation

Regent’s ambition with the Viceroy extends beyond mere transportation; it’s a bold reimagining of how we navigate coastal regions. Unlike traditional aircraft or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles that soar at higher altitudes, the seaglider hugs the water, capitalizing on aerodynamic efficiencies unique to ground effect flight.

This operational niche classifies it as a maritime vessel under international regulations, subjecting it to oversight by bodies like the U.S. Coast Guard rather than aviation authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In a pivotal move, Regent submitted its Design Basis Agreement (DBA) to the Coast Guard in March 2025, a critical step in the maritime certification process required for commercial passenger service.

This regulatory framework offers a distinct advantage. Maritime certification, while rigorous, often progresses more swiftly than the complex airworthiness approvals demanded by aviation bodies.

The Viceroy’s design aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) classification of wing-in-ground (WIG) craft as “Type A,” restricting its flight to the ground effect zone but simplifying its path to market. This strategic choice reflects Regent’s intent to accelerate deployment while adhering to stringent safety standards.

Understanding ground effect: A primer

• What is it? Ground effect occurs when a vehicle flies close to a surface here, water creating a cushion of high-pressure air beneath its wings. This phenomenon reduces drag and boosts lift, enhancing fuel efficiency and stability.
• Why it matters: For the Viceroy, this translates to lower energy consumption, enabling its all-electric propulsion to achieve impressive ranges without the weight of excessive batteries.
• Everyday analogy: Think of a pelican skimming the ocean waves it’s nature’s version of this principle, conserving energy while gliding effortlessly.

Leadership vision and market momentum

Billy Thalheimer, Regent’s co-founder and CEO, views these trials as a foundational milestone. “This marks our initial stride toward delivering Viceroy seagliders globally and satisfying our burgeoning order book,” he remarked in a recent statement.

Thalheimer, an aerospace engineer with a pedigree from MIT and prior stints at Aurora Flight Sciences, envisions the seaglider as a transformative force in regional travel. “We’re inching closer to meeting a validated, colossal global demand,” he added, pointing to preorders exceeding €8.3 billion (approximately $9 billion USD as of March 2025 exchange rates).

Among the early adopters is UrbanLink Air Mobility, a Florida-based operator that committed to purchasing 27 seagliders in September 2024 to service routes across South Florida and Puerto Rico.

The enthusiasm isn’t confined to the U.S. Regent’s order book reflects a diverse clientele, including ferry operators like Brittany Ferries and airlines such as Japan Airlines, which see the seaglider as a bridge between maritime and aerial transport.

A 2024 survey by Regent, polling over 4,000 coastal residents worldwide, found that 88% of Americans and 98% of UAE residents expressed interest in seaglider travel, underscoring a robust appetite for faster, greener options.

Scaling production and global reach

To meet this demand, Regent is laying substantial groundwork. In January 2025, the company broke ground on a 23,690-square-meter manufacturing facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island not New York, as earlier reports misstated within the Quonset Business Park. Slated to commence production in 2026, this plant will produce components, assemble vehicles, and conduct pre-delivery testing.

Rhode Island’s selection was no accident; its coastal testing environments, maritime expertise, and access to New England’s talent pool make it an ideal hub. Since relocating there in 2022, Regent has generated over 135 jobs and injected $22 million into the local economy, according to company figures.

Simultaneously, Regent is expanding its international footprint. In February 2025, it forged a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi-based Strategic Development Fund (SDF), part of the EDGE Group, to establish manufacturing, maintenance, and crew training capabilities in the UAE.

This partnership aims to supply the Middle East and Africa, with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport planning trials to connect its islands and emirates. The UAE’s interest aligns with its sustainability goals, as evidenced by a 2023 IRENA report highlighting the region’s push for zero-emission transport solutions.

Technical marvels and scientific backing

The Viceroy’s specs are impressive, but its scientific underpinnings are equally noteworthy. Its 1,600-kilogram payload capacity and 300-kilometer range stem from a synergy of electric propulsion and hydrodynamic design. The craft’s hydrofoils lift it above waves during takeoff, reducing drag, while its ground effect flight minimizes energy loss.

A 2023 study in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering noted that WIG vehicles can achieve up to 40% greater efficiency than traditional aircraft at low altitudes, a finding Regent leverages to maximize battery performance.

Safety is another cornerstone. Unlike planes or helicopters, the seaglider’s proximity to water ensures it can float if propulsion fails a feature Thalheimer emphasized in a 2023 Forbes interview. This resilience, coupled with Lloyd’s Register certification support announced in May 2024, bolsters its appeal for commercial and defense applications, including a $4.75 million contract with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab to explore logistics uses.

Decoding fly-by-wire: Simplified

• What is it? A fly-by-wire system replaces manual controls with electronic interfaces, where pilot inputs are processed by computers to adjust the vehicle’s movements.
• How it works here: In the Viceroy, it ensures precise handling across its three modes floating, foiling, and flyingc enhancing stability and responsiveness.
• Why it’s cool: It’s like a video game controller for a high-tech boat-plane hybrid, making complex maneuvers smoother and safer.

Broader implications and future horizons

The Viceroy’s journey transcends engineering it’s a case study in sustainable innovation. Coastal communities, often underserved by high-speed transport, stand to gain significantly. For instance, a trip from Boston to Nantucket, typically a two-hour ferry ride, could shrink to 45 minutes, per Regent’s estimates.

Yet, challenges loom. Scaling production, securing final certifications, and navigating diverse maritime regulations worldwide will test Regent’s mettle. Still, with over $90 million raised from investors like Founders Fund and Lockheed Martin, and a 600-unit order backlog, the company’s trajectory appears robust.

As aerial tests unfold in 2025, the Viceroy seaglider may well herald a new era of coastal connectivity one where efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility converge over the waves.

Source: regentcraft.com