$700m deal: NZ investors order 25 foiling electric gliders for high-speed

Sustainable Future

The first photos are released of a revolutionary wave-skimming craft, which is to travel between NZ ports at more than 300kph. Their developer rejects scepticism: ‘We’re real, we have hardware in the water, the physics are behind us.’

A prototype sea-to-air passenger craft has clocked more than 35 knots (70kph) in sea trials off Tampa, Florida this month – and a New Zealand company is today announcing the $700m purchase of some of the first commercial production models.

Ocean Flyer owner Shah Aslam, the owner of the small charter airline Air Napier, is fronting a group of investors who are putting down $50m in deposits to buy the electric sea gliders, initially to carry up to 12 passengers between New Zealand ports. Their commitment takes the capital raised by US-based Regent Craft to US$6.75 billion (NZ$9b), with other early adopters including the French company Brittany Ferries, Croatia’s Splitexpress, and US airlines Mesa and Southern.

That highlights the hybrid character of the battery-powered craft, part boat and part plane. It’s intended to sail from maritime ports, rise onto its foils as it exits the harbour, and then as it gets to open seas, take to the air to skim up to 10 metres above the water. 

Regent says many of its systems are from aviation, like the high-tech avionics control and navigation system, but it has gained approval from US regulators to operate under less stringent maritime regulations – which the company’s co-founder Billy Thalheimer acknowledges may somewhat alarm boaties out fishing.

Thalheimer has been out on the Florida waters watching the remote-piloted trials. “Certainly some people have looked apprehensive, some jet skiers and boat owners,” he told Newsroom, ahead of today’s big reveal at the CoMotion conference in Miami. “They’ve quite often taken pictures, so we’re attracting a bit of attention. But I’d say in general, we’ve had a very high cadence of test operations and there haven’t been too many prying eyes.”

“Agencies and regulators will continue to work closely with Ocean Flyer to ensure the safety of any future operation.”
– Michael Wood, Transport Minister

As well as revealing the first images of the prototype today, Thalheimer and Aslam are announcing the New Zealand order of 25 craft: first up, 15 of the smaller Viceroy craft, and ultimately 10 of the 100-seater Monarch craft when it is launched. They say it is a big step to zero emissions travel between NZ ports – and Thalheimer has a message for the sceptics.

“We’re real, we have hardware in the water, and the physics are behind us,” he said. “We’re developing the first new mode of transportation in many decades. The last one was maybe the helicopter, right?

“So we’ve had this electrification revolution, we have new technology in motors and batteries, new technology in flight controls and sensors, new technology in structures have with Advanced Composites – they unlock all these new opportunities that people weren’t familiar with before.

“There’s always scepticism with new technologies and new modes of transportation. There was scepticism that people would use a computer in their pocket with the iPhone, and now you’re inseparable from it. We’re really expecting sea gliders to be the same.”

Shah Aslam and his small team have briefed the operators of New Zealand’s seven biggest ports, who had responded positively, he said. And the New Zealand Government is welcoming today’s announcement.

“This is a game changer for Kiwi travellers. Electric sea gliders emit no carbon and are just as fast and comfortable as current aviation options.”
– Shah Aslam, Ocean Flyer

Transport Minister Michael Wood told Newsroom that regulators were working closely with the craft’s developers to ensure the safety of its operation, and would continue to do so. “Their investment is another example of businesses having confidence in NZ’s economic direction and our reputation as early adopters of innovative technologies,” he said.

Maritime NZ acting director Kenny Crawford said the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization had agreed that wing-in-ground craft, such as the sea gliders, would be covered by the maritime regulatory regime. Existing regulation included maritime rules covering collision prevention  and novel ships. 

“We will be working closely with the…