New Electric Sea Gliders Heading to NZ

[Ollie Onion]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/128397643/transport-revolution-touted-electric-seagliders-to-connect-nz-cities-by-2025

Certainly an interesting concept and for the cost will be very competitive.

[c52]

Their claim "No airport security" presumably means there will be an equal security theatre that is located at a seaport rather than an airport.

[Less Hair]

I would call it e-kranoplan. Just an idea.

[First_Principal]

So 'Ocean Flyer' (NZBN 9429050484614, reg 11th April with one shareholder who is also the sole director) say they've put up 'the best part of' ~0.14% of the projected cost for several items of which there is only a 1/4 scale model?

Regent's shiny website says that 'Full-scale prototypes [of a 12 passenger vehicle] will begin sea trials by 2023'.

It's good that inventive people dream of things, then attempt to put these dreams into reality - if they didn't the world would likely be a more boring and less advanced place. However I hope that any money put forward for this hasn't come from the general public.

To my mind the proposal seems quite tenuous at this point, and has all the hallmarks of vapourware, that said I'd be genuinely pleased if it should all come to fruition 3 years from now - and the service ran without issue for the next 50 years or so...

[TWT]

You'd want to hope that they they'll have the ability to avoid shipping at night and in fog :)

[Doors Off]

Smells like a scam to get investors money for the “Board” members, then state “due to government approval issues and permits, we have had to abandon this wonderful planet saving, economic boost for local jobs”. Thanks for your money.

[The Banjo]

And not to mention the MARTIN JETPACK that fleeced (pardon the pun...) investors for tens of millions before going the way of the dodo.

[Wizofoz]

Like all these concepts, it comes crashing into one simple reality- current battery technology does not have the energy density to make them viable.

[tartare]

Glenn Martin's Jetpack was going to start a revolution.
Just they other day they sold one of the few remaining examples - for NZ$1.

[Chris2303]

It's going to be interesting to see how they handle a 50 knot Cook Strait "zephyr"

[jolihokistix]

Excellent stuff! The article calls for objections, so keep ‘’em coming folks.

My suggestion is designated water strips for take-off and landing, free of whales, dolphins, logs, semi-submerged containers, sunken warships, etc.

[muppetdodger]

Looks identical to the video Brittany Ferries posted last year - same video different livery.

https://youtu.be/qTNZ9e4Sd-I

[First_Principal]

Glenn Martin's Jetpack was going to start a revolution.
Just they other day they sold one of the few remaining examples - for NZ$1.

Last most complete one that went on the open market sold for $158,000 NZD, with some others going to Oz in a separate deal I believe.

You've still got a chance to get most of one if you'd like, price is a bit more than $1 though:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/antiques-collectables/automotive-transport/aviation/listing/3555179186
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/aircraft/aircraft/listing/3554693913

[aroa]

The Russians,( who are NOT popular at the moment for obvious reasons) have been into this wigi thing for yonks.
There is a video clip about of an 8 ? Seater used to traverse remote lakes in Siberia.
Above the water in summer and the ice in winter. It ripped down the lake like a Cessna 208 without wheels and still on the ground. Very impressive and speedy way for travelling the Siberian Gafa.

[common toad]

Surely a powered glider…

[Andy_G]

Looks like version 2 of the old Airfish. Google that