Seaglider developer REGENT announced on September 2, 2026, that it has successfully completed the first human-crewed flight test of its Viceroy wing-in-ground effect craft. According to reporting by AeroTime, the inaugural flight test was conducted over Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, where REGENT is headquartered, representing a significant technical operational step for the electric passenger craft program.
During the milestone flight test on Narragansett Bay, the Viceroy seaglider operated with a crew of two individuals on board. The craft sustained flight above the water for 30 seconds, traversing a total distance of 1,956 feet (596 meters) while maintaining an elevation of 33 feet (10 meters) above the sea surface. Prior to achieving this human-crewed flight, REGENT had engaged in preliminary testing, evaluating the vehicle with its hull directly on the water as well as on hydrofoil fins designed to provide stability in choppy sea conditions and support the transition to full aerodynamic ground-effect flight as the vehicle accelerates.
The Viceroy is designed as an all-electric craft capable of accommodating up to 12 passengers while skimming over the ocean surface at speed up to 180 mph (289 km/h). The craft utilizes an aerodynamic principle known as ground effect to operate close to the water. With the successful completion of this test, the Viceroy becomes the largest all-electric wing-in-ground-effect vehicle to fly with human occupants on board. Larger historical crewed wing-in-ground craft, such as Soviet ekranoplans from the 1970s, relied on conventional military propulsion rather than electric power.
The successful test flight follows additional corporate and program milestones for REGENT. Just two days prior to completing the crewed flight, the company announced the successful closing of a $240 million Series B funding round dedicated to accelerating the development of its broader wing-in-ground seaglider program. In addition to the Viceroy development, REGENT has also conducted flight tests in 2026 for Squire, a smaller uncrewed wing-in-ground effect vehicle designed for potential military applications.
