REGENT Viceroy

The REGENT Viceroy "seaglider" is a proposed electric-powered wing-in-ground-effect vehicle under development by REGENT Craft Inc. of Rhode Island, (REGENT is capitalized because it is an acronym, standing for "Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport"). 12 passengers will be carried on flights of up to 180 mi over coastal waters, with retractable hydrofoils used during the take-off run. It is intended to conduct flight trials in 2024 with customer deliveries commencing in 2025. A 1/4 scale model was successfully demonstrated in 2022 in Narragansett Bay.

Announced customers include New Zealand's Ocean Flyer, Brittany Ferries in Europe and US carriers Mesa Airlines, Mokulele Airlines and Southern Airways Express.

Regulation question
It is unclear whether regulation in United States waters will fall entirely to the US Coast Guard, or whether the Federal Aviation Administration would also be involved – which would require more arduous and expensive certification.