{"id":76326,"date":"2024-08-29T17:14:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T21:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=76326"},"modified":"2024-08-29T17:14:56","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T21:14:56","slug":"all-electric-seagliders-about-to-take-flight-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=76326","title":{"rendered":"All-electric Seagliders are about to take flight in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\"All-electric-Seagliders-US\"<\/figure>\n

REGENT received approval from the US Coast Guard to begin testing its all-electric Seaglider. The Seaglider<\/a> combines the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat for faster, more affordable travel. Testing will begin later this year, with the first planned flights in early 2025.<\/p>\n

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With backing from Shark Tank\u2019s Mark Cuban, Lockheed Martin, and several airline companies, REGENT wants to make coastal travel between cities easier and more affordable.<\/p>\n

REGENT\u2019s team consists of MIT-trained, ex-Boeing engineers. Billy Thalheimer, REGENT\u2019s CEO, held positions at Jeff Bezos\u2019 founded Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.<\/p>\n

Its vehicle, the Seaglider, is a new category of vehicle that uses hydrofoils and a distributed propulsion system. <\/p>\n

The vessel operates just a few meters off the water\u2019s surface. Since it flies at an ultra-low altitude, REGENT\u2019s all-electric Seagliders are considered maritime vessels and regulated by the US Coast Guard.<\/p>\n

The US Coast Guard approved Regent\u2019s Navigational Safety Risk Assessment on Thursday. With the approval<\/a>, REGENT can now test full-scale Seaglider prototypes in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.<\/p>\n

REGENT consulted with over 20 local stakeholders, including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the US Navy, the FAA, environmental groups, sailing organizations, and more to relieve concerns.<\/p>\n

\"All-electric-Seagliders-US\"
REGENT\u2019s 1\/4 scale Seaglider taking off (Source: REGENT)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

REGENT will test its all-electric Seagliders in the US<\/h2>\n

The safety assessment will include third-party risk analysis and a review of environmental concerns and potential economic impacts.<\/p>\n

According to REGENT, the testing will act as a model for future commercial seaglider approvals in the US.<\/p>\n

\"All-electric-Seagliders-US\"
REGENT\u2019s 1\/4 scale Seaglider (Source: REGENT)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The review is part of a broader collaboration between REGENT and the US Coast Guard to advance seagliders in the US.<\/p>\n

REGENT is working with the US Coast Guard to advance certification of its 12-passenger \u201cViceroy\u201d all-electric Seaglider. The company claims it can travel 180 mph with up to 180 miles range. REGENT\u2019s vessels will use existing dock infrastructure, so no significant investments are needed.<\/p>\n

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