Flight Meets Water: REGENT Craft Unveils World’s First Full-Scale, Passenger-Carrying Seaglider
North Kingstown, RI –Last month, REGENT Craft, a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art seagliders, launched the world’s first full-scale, all-electric seaglider on its first on-water tests. This debut marks a historic and groundbreaking milestone for both the aviation and maritime industries, as REGENT officially begins sea trials that will conclude in the world’s first human flight on a seaglider later this year.
Here’s a few facts about this special vessel:
Fusing Aviation and Maritime Innovation
“Stepping off the dock and onto the Paladin seaglider for the first time was surreal,” said Mike Klinker, REGENT Co-founder and CTO. “This was the first voyage of a vessel that is destined to transform mobility. The era of seagliders has begun.”
Unlike traditional aircraft or boats, the Paladin operates exclusively over water by riding on hydrofoils before lifting off to fly approximately one wingspan above the sea. This allows the seaglider to achieve aircraft-like speeds, while still maintaining a “maritime classification” with the U.S. Coast Guard and other global maritime regulators. This combination could provide an incredibly efficient, convenient, and safe option for coastal transportation.
“Sea trials are just the beginning,” said REGENT CEO Billy Thalheimer. “We’re one step closer to delivering Viceroy seagliders around the world. This milestone validates what we now know to be massive global demand for this new mode of transportation.”
A Seaglider Revolution
Since its founding in 2020, REGENT has worked to rapidly advance the project concept to reality. Backed by global investors such as Lockheed Martin, Founders Fund, and Japan Airlines, REGENT has accumulated over $9 billion in preorders across six continents, intended for many diverse uses such as commercial travel, cargo transport, humanitarian aid, and military defense.
REGENT has worked extensively with the U.S. Marine Corps to develop defense, logistics, and search-and-rescue applications for the seaglider. REGENT also recently entered a joint venture with the UAE’s Strategic Development Fund to bring seaglider production, crew training, and maintenance services to the Middle East.
What’s Next?
As Paladin slices through the waters of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, REGENT is already looking forward to the next big milestone: the world’s first crewed seaglider flight, expected mid-2025. If they succeed, this company could someday help redefine how we travel our coasts.
We at the Herd Law Firm are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help these maritime workers, passengers, and their families when they are injured or mistreated.
4/30/2025
Image Source: REGENT Craft
