This is the Seaglider, an aircraft specially designed to cover short distances and establish connections between islands. Its manufacturing is unique: fast like a plane and efficient like a boat.
The decarbonization of aviation does not only concern large aircraft; indeed, inter-island transport is also part of this overall objective. In many archipelagos around the world, connections are still mainly made using traditional boats or propeller planes. Modes of transport whose reliability no longer needs to be proven, but which remain polluting and are sometimes limited by weather conditions. It is in this niche that Regent, the company manufacturing the Seaglider, would like to place itself. Not really a plane, nor a boat, it is a hybrid machine between a ground effect aircraft and a hydrofoil.
He glides on the waves and flies through the air
The Seaglider concept is really well thought out. It is first of all a hydrofoil, using foils located under its hull which allow it to rise out of the water from a certain speed. Thanks to this elevation, the drag caused by contact between the hull and the water is reduced.
Once launched, ground effect takes over. It is an aerodynamic phenomenon that occurs when an aircraft flies at a very low altitude above a flat surface. The air between the water surface is compressed, which forms an air cushion on which the device can be carried. Thanks to these two characteristics, the Seaglider is able to take off from the water using less energy. Once in flight, it folds its wings and flies as close as possible to the water to maximize ground effect.
The Viceroy Seaglider model will be able to reach 300 km/h at cruising speed and fly at an altitude of between 9 and 18 meters above the water. It will be able to transport 12 passengers, accompanied by two crew members (or 1,600 kg of cargo) over 300 km. Entirely electric, it will have the advantage of being less impacted by swell than a boat and it is less noisy and less expensive than a conventional plane.
The deployment and future of the Seaglider
To get started, the Regent company launched The Hawai’i Seaglide Initiative, a collaboration with local stakeholders in the American archipelago to prepare the ground for deploying a network of Seagliders. The Hawaiian archipelago has a total of 137 islands, but eight are considered inhabited, an ideal playground for the Seaglider. We must believe that the project has already convinced, since the regional company Mokulele Airlines has already placed an order for several Viceroy Seagliders. Deliveries are expected to arrive within the decade.
Mokulele Airlines is an essential company in Hawaii, for inter-island transport of locals or tourists. It is highly appreciated for the frequency of its flights and its ability to serve inaccessible destinations, which large companies tend to neglect. Its positioning is therefore ideal for adopting initiatives like the Seaglider.
If Regent’s project comes to fruition, the Seaglide could completely change the game in terms of transportation in the archipelago. The company already aims to offer larger models, with a capacity of 150 passengers. Wait and see !
Source : Futura Sciences
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