Coastal electric hover taxi travels at a speed of 290 km / h

Boston-based Regent has received $465 million in pre-orders for its ultra-fast

electric Seaglider (English: “sea glider”).Using the air cushion effect, this ekranoplan moves at a speed of 290 km/h and will fly twice as far as conventional electric planes. According to the authors of the development, it will revolutionize coastal transport.

“The speed, comfort and navigation systems of an aircraft are combined with the convenience, maneuverability and accessibility of a boat,” Regent said in a press release.

The new electric plane operates on the principleekranoplan or a dynamic hovercraft. The seaglider moves above the surface, supported in the atmosphere by interacting with air reflected from the surface of the earth or water - the screen effect. An aerodynamic screen is formed when the wing moves at a relatively low (up to several meters) height from the surface of water, ground, snow or ice. With equal mass and speed, the wing elongation of an ekranoplan is much less than that of an airplane.

According to the international classification (IMO) ekranoplansclassified as seagoing vessels. Seaglider, for example, can operate on routes that are inaccessible to conventional ships. Along with higher hydro-aerodynamic quality and seaworthiness than other high-speed vessels, all ekranoplanes almost always have amphibious properties. In addition to the water surface, they are able to move over a solid surface (earth, snow, ice) and base themselves on it. The Seaglider thus combines the best qualities of a ship and an aircraft. In addition, he moves at high speed and over long distances. 

Also the Seaglider is fully electric andZero emissions. Its high efficiency and no need for an aircraft's reserve power level gives it the ability to extract twice the range from a battery of a given size than a conventional electric aircraft. While its use will be limited to movement between coastal areas, it will connect points that are not accessible by conventional electric aircraft.

Regent says it has “received$465 million in advance orders from some of the world's largest airlines and ferry companies. Airplane operators are excited that sea hang gliders account for half the operating costs of aircraft, and ferry operators are excited that they are six times faster.” 

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