Regent Craft Says Its Monarch Seaglider Will Handle Harsh Hawaiian Conditions

Jonathan Welsh

Thursday, June 09, 2022 at 01:36 PM ET

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An early rendering of Regent's Monarch, a 100-passenger electric-powered seaglider.

Key Takeaways:

Regent Craft is developing electric seagliders, including the larger Monarch model, which is being designed in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines to address Hawaii's challenging wind and water conditions.
The company's initial 12-passenger Viceroy seaglider is projected to begin sea trials in 2024 and enter service in 2025, with the larger 50-100 passenger Monarch concept expected by 2028.
Seagliders are wing-in-ground effect vehicles that achieve greater efficiency and payload capacity by flying low over water, leveraging an air cushion.
Regent is relocating its headquarters and establishing new manufacturing and testing facilities in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, due to strategic ocean access and state tax incentives.

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Regent Craft, the Boston-based developer of electric-powered wing-in-ground effect vehicles called seagliders, said the challenge of difficult wind and water conditions around Hawaii is part of its design and development program for the Monarch, a planned next-generation seaglider expected to operate from the islands.

“Regent is taking into consideration all manner of wind, weather, and climate into the design, testing, and safety of our 12-passenger seaglider, Viceroy, and our next generation seaglider, the 50- to 100-passenger Monarch,” the company said.