Hybrid engines will breathe new life into amphibious aircraft – they will allow saving up to 85% of fuel

Investors have clearly been waiting for electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing for a long time, and have started showing interest in other aircraft. New technologies can breathe new life into amphibious aircraft, making flights much more environmentally friendly and convenient for passengers. One of such proposals from Tidal Flight has already been in demand by the American air carrier Tropic Ocean Airways, which specializes in water landings.

Renderings of the Polaris amphibious aircraft. Image source: Tidal Flight

Tidal Flight is developing the Polaris amphibious aircraft, which can carry one ton or 12 passengers. It is a flying boat with a wingspan of 18 m and a wedge-shaped tail on which two nacelles with electric engines and propellers are installed. The engines are powered by a diesel-electric generator running on environmentally friendly fuel made from plant materials. This scheme, according to the developer, makes the aircraft highly efficient, allowing for fuel savings of up to 85%.

The low runway requirements and high efficiency will allow these aircraft to be used anywhere there is water, and not just exotic islands. Tropic Ocean Airways was so inspired by the project that it signed a preliminary contract with Tidal Flight for $100 million to supply 20 Polaris aircraft.

The company is currently testing a 1:6 scale model of the seaplane. Ultimately, it should be an elegant, quiet and modern aircraft with a takeoff weight of about 5.6 tons and a cruising speed of 300 km/h. On one tank of fuel, the aircraft can fly 1915 km at an altitude of up to 2100 m. The developer plans to lift a full-scale Polaris into the air in 2027, and begin operation in 2030. As more advanced batteries or hydrogen power plants appear, Polaris can be converted to them, which will make it even more efficient.