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 next-generation Monarch (50-100 passengers), and is actively designing them to operate in challenging Hawaiian wind and water conditions, supported by a partnership with Hawaiian Airlines.
These wing-in-ground effect vehicles fly at low altitudes for efficiency but will have weather-based operating limitations; the smaller Viceroy model is expected to enter service by 2025, with the Monarch by 2028.
The company is relocating its headquarters and establishing new manufacturing and testing facilities in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, driven by access to waterways 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.