Regent’s 12-Passenger Electric Viceroy Seaglider Set to Soar Over Water

Unlike traditional watercraft, Regent’s 12-passenger electric Viceroy seaglider can operate in three modes: floating on its hull, foiling above waves on hydrofoils, and flying in ground effect within one wingspan of the water’s surface.

Currently, the company has completed a full-scale prototype, named “Paladin,” which measures 55 feet long and boasts a 65-foot wingspan, which makes it the largest all-electric flying machine ever created. Regent began sea trials of this prototype in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. These initial on-water tests with humans aboard followed extensive subsystem testing (motors, batteries, electronics, etc.) and marked the first crewed operations of the vessel. The seaglider has successfully floated on its hull and begun its testing phase on the water.

While the prototype has not yet flown with humans aboard, Regent is working toward its first human flight, expected by mid-2025. The ongoing sea trials are a critical step, testing the transition from floating to foiling, and eventually to flying in ground effect.

Regent recently submitted its Design Basis Agreement for the Viceroy to the U.S. Coast Guard, which oversees its certification as a maritime vessel (rather than the FAA, due to its low-altitude operation over water). This submission, reported just last week, is a key milestone toward regulatory approval, with the company aiming for commercial service starting in 2025 or shortly thereafter. The production model should be able to safely transport 12 passengers and 2 crew members over coastal waters, with a range of approximately 180 miles at a cruising speed of 180 mph using existing battery technology.

Safety is paramount to everything we do at REGENT. The formal submission of the DBA is a result of a rigorous design process according to regulations and industry standards along with our commitment to attention to detail around regulatory compliance and ensuring the safety of seaglider passengers, crew, and vessels,” said Ted Lester, VP of Certification at REGENT.