Ekranoplan-plan in Orkney

[Egg Centric]

Interesting story here

A PIONEERING new flight technology could be trialled on Scotland’s islands following the announcement of a new partnership.


US firm Regent (which stands for “Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport”) have confirmed a working relationship with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans) with the aim of trialling their new craft in Orkney.
Regent’s 12-passenger Viceroy Seaglider is set to enter service between 2026 and 2027, and the possibility of using the all-electric craft to ferry people between Scottish islands is being explored.

Seaglider vehicles are designed for coastal regions. They can float like a boat, raise onto hydrofoils, or take off using the “flight in ground effect” – when an aircraft flying very close to a surface experiences extra lift and reduced drag because of the way air flows under its wings.

Regent’s website states: “Seaglider vessels are a new category of vehicle that combines the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat to deliver an affordable and efficient mode of transportation between coastal destinations.”

The firm said it had around $10 billion worth of orders for the vehicle lined up. A larger “Monarch” version of the Seaglider, which can carry 50-100 passengers, is expected to launch around 2030.

The first stage of the partnership with Hitrans involves a feasibility study, as well as looking to gain support from local authorities.

Adam Triolo, Regent’s vice-president of commercial business development, said: “Our work with Hitrans is an exciting opportunity to showcase to Scotland and the Highlands communities the potential human and environmental benefits Seaglider vessels could have on coastal transportation.

“Regent’s Seaglider technology is an all-electric sustainable solution that could transform the way people transit this area of natural beauty.

“The Hitrans team are leading an important and innovative mission in the region, and we look forward to growing this partnership together.”

David Holden, regional sustainable aviation manager at Hitrans, aid: “This is a hugely exciting prospect for transport in the Highlands and Islands.

“Regent are bringing much needed innovation to coastal transportation which has the potential to transform how people travel across the Highlands and Islands in the future.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate and help to realise the vision of Seaglider travel for the people of Scotland.”

Regent said that, at 55ft long with a 65ft wingspan, the Viceroy Seaglider vessel will be “the largest-ever all-electric flying machine”.

The vehicle is technically classed as a boat, the firm said.

Now for obvious reasons I'm pretty skeptical this will actually happen. But wouldn't it be absolutely fantastic if it does?

 

[AlastairFraser]

Interesting story here




Now for obvious reasons I'm pretty skeptical this will actually happen. But wouldn't it be absolutely fantastic if it does?

Well, apparently the Soviets managed to make one that worked for a bit, but yes, it would be great for trips around both Orkney and Shetland (the suggested range would even be able to replace Shetland to Fair Isle flights).
Let's hope they get a working prototype soon.

 

[edwin_m]

One challenge will be for a craft of that size to be able to "fly" high enough to stay above the wave crests when the sea is rough, while still staying within ground effect. I'd have though hitting one at full speed would be pretty serious.

 

[ainsworth74]

One challenge will be for a craft of that size to be able to "fly" high enough to stay above the wave crests when the sea is rough, while still staying within ground effect. I'd have though hitting one at full speed would be pretty serious.

Yes the Soviets ran into that problem with their "Caspian Sea Monsters" the only production type that actually went into service (the prototype was actually larger but crashed due to pilot error) was apparently restricted to operating only in very calm conditions. Now, in the Caspian Sea I suppose that there will be days that you have rough seas, but I reckon it has calmer waters than the North Sea has most of the time. That being said it was apparently in service for around a decade from the late 80s to the late 90s (and the prototype was in testing for around a decade or so before it crashed).

The concept certainly works and quite well by all accounts but the sea state is the clear problem to be overcome.

 

[edwin_m]

Yes the Soviets ran into that problem with their "Caspian Sea Monsters" the only production type that actually went into service (the prototype was actually larger but crashed due to pilot error) was apparently restricted to operating only in very calm conditions. Now, in the Caspian Sea I suppose that there will be days that you have rough seas, but I reckon it has calmer waters than the North Sea has most of the time. That being said it was apparently in service for around a decade from the late 80s to the late 90s (and the prototype was in testing for around a decade or so before it crashed).

The concept certainly works and quite well by all accounts but the sea state is the clear problem to be overcome.

I think the Soviet ones were much larger than a 12-seater would likely be, and I believe ground effect only works when the altitude is less than some ratio of the wingspan - don't remember the figure but it was probably around half.

 

[185]

I'm just wondering what form the Highlands & Islands version of the Caspian Sea Monster will take. And do we call it the Strom Ness Monster?

Looks a bit small to be commercially successful, they probably want to be looking at many more seats that 12. Judging by the size of the Russian thing, there is no limit to how big they can build them.