By Superinnovators, 03/1/2023
In September last year, Ocean Flyer’s first seaglider took its maiden flight.
The event was highly anticipated, as it marked the beginning of a new era of zero-emission travel in New Zealand.
The seaglider performed flawlessly during the flight, reaching speeds of up to 300kph and demonstrating its impressive range and efficiency.
The passengers on board were highly impressed by the smooth and quiet ride, as well as the breathtaking views from the spacious cabin.
Ocean Flyer is a company that plans to operate fully electric seagliders in New Zealand from 2025.
These seagliders are a type of wing-in-ground-effect craft, which fly just a few meters above the water’s surface and combine the speed of an airplane with the low operating cost of a boat.
The seagliders will make use of existing port infrastructure and will be able to transport passengers and cargo over distances of up to 300km at nearly 300kph in the 12-seater Viceroys and up to 800km at nearly 540kph in the 100-seater Monarchs.
Ocean Flyer has recently signed a $700 million agreement to bring 25 all-electric seagliders to New Zealand.
The efficiency of these seagliders means that operational costs are greatly reduced compared to other modes of transportation, and the company plans to pass these savings on to customers by offering fares that are up to 70% cheaper than existing options.
In addition to being affordable, the seagliders will also be sustainable and contribute significantly towards New Zealand’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
The cabins of the seagliders are spacious and allow for exceptional views from every seat, and the all-electric engines are 1000x quieter than traditional aircraft engines.
After the successful maiden flight, Ocean Flyer’s team of engineers and executives were thrilled and relieved.
They had worked tirelessly for years to bring this revolutionary mode of transportation to life, and their hard work had finally paid off.
The company is now looking forward to beginning regular operations and bringing the benefits of seaglider travel to people all over New Zealand.
With its combination of speed, sustainability, affordability, and comfort, Ocean Flyer’s seagliders are poised to revolutionize the way people travel around the country.
Safety is a top priority for Ocean Flyer, and the seagliders are equipped with avionics and automated systems to ensure the highest level of safety.
The seagliders are also designed to be resistant to capsizing and have redundant systems in place to ensure that they can continue to operate even if one system fails.
Overall, Ocean Flyer’s electric seagliders represent a new and innovative approach to travel in New Zealand that is sustainable, fast, comfortable, and affordable.
