The first time I heard about the sea glider I thought it was yet another American thing, something absurdly complex to solve a problem that doesn't exist. A flying boat? A sailing plane? Pure madness. And yet, as I looked more closely at this strange hybrid being tested in Rhode Island, I realized that it may represent one of those rare moments when technology takes an unexpected leap forward. It’s not just a compromise; it’s a new category of vehicle that could checkmate both traditional ships and small coastal aircraft. And it’s from a long, long way back.
Seaglider: Bird, Fish, or Both?
What makes the seaglider so special is its ability to transform. It starts as a boat, becomes a hydrofoil (those boats that rise above the water thanks to submerged “fins”), and finally hovers just above the water like a very low-altitude airplane. He is not indecisive: he is versatile. La Regent Craft, the American company that developed it, understood that to make electric flight practical, it was necessary to think outside the box.
Electric airplanes are complicated for one main reason: Batteries are damn heavy. They add weight and reduce range. The seaglider brilliantly gets around this problem by using the ground effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon that creates a “cushion of air” between the wings and the surface of the water. This dramatically reduces aerodynamic drag and allows for more energy-efficient flight.
It amuses me to think that this isn't even a new technology: it dates back to the Cold War (I'm thinking of the Ekranoplan Soviets), but it has remained largely unused because it only works at low altitudes and on flat surfaces. Sea waves can be a problem, which is why Regent added hydrofoil capability for rougher waters.
Maximum speed, minimum impact
Il Viceroy Sea Glider (this is the name of the prototype being tested in Narragansett Bay) can carry 12 passengers and 2 crew members. It has aautonomy of 300 kilometers and can reach one cruising speed of 290 km/h. The beauty of this vehicle is that it doesn't try to be a traditional airplane. It's designed to move between coastal cities, which is where it could really excel. It's significantly faster than any ship, but it doesn't need the infrastructure of an airport. It's like having the best of both worlds.
Of course, there are those who might turn up their noses and say that it is more complicated to operate than a ship. But Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of Regent, he has a ready answer: they have automated much of the control systems. “The operator just has to steer it like a boat: left, right, fast and slow,” he says.
Are you sure? Okay. I am a skeptic by nature, but I admit that this time we could be looking at something truly innovative. The seaglider could be that rare case where a technology not only solves a problem, but also creates a better experience in the process. A way to travel that we have never experienced before. And, perhaps, a very small step towards a future of more sustainable transportation.
