Business Aviation
REGENT Secures 30 Viceroy Seaglider Order from XXV for US East Coast
REGENT’s 30-unit Viceroy seaglider order from XXV aims to launch a zero-emission, high-speed transport network along the U.S. East Coast by 2027.
This article is based on an official press release from REGENT.
Stealth Private Club ‘XXV’ Orders 30 REGENT Seagliders for East Coast Service
Rhode Island-based manufacturers REGENT has announced a significant fleet order from XXV, a private membership club headquartered in Southern Connecticut. The agreement includes a firm order for 30 “Viceroy” seagliders, the all-electric wing-in-ground effect vehicles designed to operate exclusively over water.
According to the company’s announcement, the partnership aims to establish a high-speed, zero-emission transportation network connecting key luxury destinations along the U.S. East Coast. Deliveries are scheduled to begin as early as 2027, potentially positioning the service ahead of many electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi competitors.
While the financial terms were not disclosed in the official release, market analysis of comparable orders, such as previous deals with Southern Airways Express and Ocean Flyer, suggests the total value of the 30-unit fleet could range between $300 million and $500 million.
Connecting the “Golden Routes”
XXV plans to deploy the Viceroy seagliders on some of the most congested and lucrative travel corridors in the United States. The press release confirms that the planned route network will service:
- New York City to The Hamptons
- Boston to Nantucket
- Palm Beach to Miami
- Miami to The Bahamas
The service targets the same demographic currently served by helicopter operators like Blade and seaplane operators like Tailwind Air, but with a promise of reduced noise and zero operating emissions. XXV stated that it intends to appoint a “high-profile U.S. operator” to manage the daily logistics and piloting of the fleet, rather than operating the vessels directly.
“We designed Seaglider vessels to remove friction from coastal travel, and XXV is applying that capability to create a member experience centered on our shared goals of convenience, comfort, and connection.”
, Billy Thalheimer, CEO of REGENT
The Buyer: Who is XXV?
The purchaser, XXV (pronounced “Twenty-Five”), is described as a private members club founded by Neill Etheridge and Jamie Petty. Despite the scale of the order, the organization maintains a low public profile, with no active public-facing membership portal currently available. The club positions itself as a provider of “innovative experiences centered around premier coastal destinations.”
In a statement regarding the acquisition, co-founder Neill Etheridge emphasized the transformative potential of the technology.
“REGENT’s Seaglider vessels transform travel from a constraint into an opportunity.”
, Neill Etheridge, Co-founder of XXV
Technology and Regulatory Strategy
The Viceroy is a 12-passenger, all-electric craft capable of speeds up to 180 mph (156 knots). It operates using the “wing-in-ground” (WIG) effect, flying on a cushion of air within one wingspan of the water’s surface. Because the vehicle never flies at high altitudes, it is classified as a maritime vessel by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rather than an aircraft by the FAA.
This classification is critical to the project’s timeline. By adhering to maritime regulations, REGENT aims to bypass the lengthy and expensive certification backlog currently facing electric aviation startups. The Viceroy operates in three modes: floating on its hull near docks, hydrofoiling in harbors, and flying at low altitude over open water.
AirPro News Analysis
The order from XXV highlights a growing trend of private capital seeking to disrupt regional mobility through “regulatory arbitrage.” By utilizing the USCG maritime classification, operators like XXV can potentially launch high-speed regional services years before FAA-certified electric air taxis enter the market.
However, challenges remain. While the “boat” classification simplifies certification, the operational reality of flying a vehicle at 180 mph near crowded waterways like New York Harbor will likely invite scrutiny. Furthermore, the viability of the network depends on the installation of high-voltage maritime charging infrastructure at destinations like Nantucket and the Hamptons, which is currently virtually non-existent.
If successful, this model poses a direct threat to existing helicopter services. The Viceroy promises a smoother ride than traditional boats and a significantly quieter acoustic profile than helicopters, potentially unlocking access to noise-sensitive ports that have previously banned air traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Viceroy a plane or a boat?
Legally, it is a boat. The U.S. Coast Guard classifies it as a maritime vessel because it operates exclusively in ground effect, just a few feet above the water.
When will the service launch?
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027, though the exact launch date for passenger services will depend on operator readiness and infrastructure development.
How fast can it go?
The Viceroy has a top speed of 180 mph, making it approximately six times faster than a traditional ferry.
Sources
Photo Credit: REGENT
Business Aviation
Thrive Aviation Launches Fractional Program with Honda Aircraft Backing
Thrive Aviation enters fractional ownership with HondaJet HA-420 and Challenger 3500 aircraft, backed by Honda Aircraft subsidiary Arulean Air.
Thrive Aviation has officially entered the fractional ownership market, unveiling the first HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500 aircraft in its new custom livery ahead of their public debut at the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition.
The Las Vegas-based operator announced the milestone in an October 15, 2026, press release. The unveiling marks the operational launch of a program backed by a strategic partnership and minority investment from Arulean Air, a newly formed subsidiary of Honda Aircraft Company.
Public debut at Henderson Executive Airport
The newly liveried aircraft will be on static display at Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas from October 20 to October 22, 2026. Prospective clients will have the opportunity to tour the cabins and review the fractional program structure during the convention.
Thrive Aviation Chief Operating Officer Rickey Oswald stated that having both aircraft types on display provides an opportunity to showcase the company’s new operational direction and fleet capabilities.
“We look forward to introducing these aircraft to prospective clients and demonstrating the versatility and capabilities of our new fractional fleet,” Oswald said.
Fleet composition and growth targets
The fractional program is designed around a two-tier fleet strategy, pairing a light jet with a super-midsize platform to cover varying mission profiles. The HondaJet HA-420 will serve regional travel requirements, while the Bombardier Challenger 3500 is positioned for longer-range, higher-capacity flights.
Thrive Aviation has outlined specific growth targets for the new division. The company anticipates adding between four and six HondaJet HA-420s to the fractional fleet annually. The super-midsize category will grow at a rate of two to four Bombardier Challenger 3500s per year.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Curtis Edenfield noted that seeing the aircraft in the company’s livery represents a significant milestone for the team, culminating a long-term strategic planning process.
Transitioning from charter to fractional operations
Prior to launching the fractional ownership program, Thrive Aviation operated exclusively as an aircraft charter, management, and maintenance provider. The company currently manages a fleet of more than 30 aircraft on its Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 charter certificate.
The foundation for the fractional program was established over nearly a decade of charter operations in the Las Vegas market and nationwide.
“We have spent the last eight years building the operating platform, infrastructure and client relationships that make this next chapter possible,” Edenfield said.
The structural framework for the fractional expansion was formalized in September 2026, when Thrive Aviation secured a minority investment from Arulean Air. Under the terms of the partnership, the Honda Aircraft Company subsidiary is responsible for funding and acquiring the aircraft. Thrive Aviation retains responsibility for all flight operations, program management, and client relationships.
AirPro News analysis
The partnership between Thrive Aviation and Arulean Air highlights a growing structural shift in the business aviation sector. We are seeing charter and management operators increasingly expand into the fractional ownership market, but the capital requirements for fleet acquisition present a significant barrier to entry. By partnering with an original equipment manufacturer subsidiary, operators can secure the necessary aircraft without assuming the full capital risk of direct purchasing.
For manufacturers, these arrangements guarantee a steady delivery pipeline and ensure their products are placed in high-utilization fractional programs. The dual-fleet approach also allows the operator to capture clients who require both regional efficiency and transcontinental range, keeping them within a single operational ecosystem rather than losing them to competitors when their mission requirements change.
Photo Credit: Thrive Aviation
Business Aviation
Desert Jet Breaks Ground on Ramp Extension at KTRM
Desert Jet begins ramp expansion at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, with two new hangars planned to follow by end of 2026.
Desert Jet has commenced construction on a ramp extension at its Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facility at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (KTRM) in Thermal, California, marking the first phase of a broader infrastructure expansion.
Announced in an October 14 press release, the project is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2026 to accommodate increasing business aviation traffic in the Coachella Valley. The ramp extension will precede the planned construction of two additional hangars at the site.
Phased infrastructure development
The ramp extension is designed to provide additional operational space for aircraft maneuvering and parking at the Desert Jet Center. Once the ramp project concludes at the end of 2026, the company plans to begin construction on two new hangars to further increase its capacity.
Desert Jet Chief Executive Officer Jared Fox stated that the groundbreaking represents a milestone for both the company and the continued growth of the airport.
“We’ve made a significant commitment to this airport because we believe strongly in its future and its growing importance to business aviation and the Coachella Valley,” Fox said. “This expansion is another step in our long-term vision to develop world-class aviation facilities that support our customers, attract new business, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.”
Desert Jet footprint and regional context
The current expansion builds upon Desert Jet’s existing 32,500-square-foot FBO terminal and hangar facility at KTRM, which was completed in late 2019 after the company transitioned from temporary facilities. The FBO serves as a primary gateway for general aviation traffic entering the Coachella Valley, including the cities of Palm Springs, La Quinta, and Indio.
Desert Jet operates three core divisions from its California headquarters: Desert Jet Charter, the Desert Jet Center FBO, and Desert Jet Maintenance, which operates as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 145 Repair Station. The company is the Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) and Citation Jet Pilots (CJP) Preferred FBO at the airport, where it competes for business aviation traffic alongside other providers, including Atlantic Aviation and Thermal Self-Serve.
Beyond its California operations, Desert Jet manages two 28,800-square-foot hangars at Yampa Valley Regional Airport (KHDN) in Hayden, Colorado. The company was founded in 2007 and subsequently acquired by James McCool in 2020.
Photo Credit: Desert Jet
Business Aviation
EASA Validates HondaJet APMG-S Upgrade Package for Europe
EASA approved the HondaJet APMG-S retrofit package on Oct 15, 2026, adding 300 lbs MTOW and new avionics to legacy aircraft.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted type validation for the HondaJet APMG-S upgrade package, clearing the way for European owners of legacy HondaJet Classic and APMG aircraft to retrofit their airframes with modern performance and avionics enhancements.
Announced by Honda Aircraft Company in a press release on October 15, 2026, the regulatory approval expands the addressable market for the manufacturer’s retrofit program. The validation establishes a standardized upgrade path for the European preowned market, allowing operators to bring older airframes closer to the specifications of current production models.
Performance and avionics enhancements
The APMG-S (Advanced Performance Modification Group – S) package was developed to integrate features from later variants, such as the HondaJet Elite S, into the existing fleet. A primary component of the upgrade is a 300-pound (136-kilogram) increase in Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW), which provides operators with greater payload capacity or extended range flexibility.
The retrofit also introduces the Advanced Steering Augmentation System (ASAS). This system is designed to improve crosswind capability and overall ground handling during the takeoff and landing phases. On the flight deck, the package includes faster avionics processing hardware and software, alongside new Graphical Weight and Balance functionality to streamline preflight calculations for flight crews.
“At Honda Aircraft Company, we are deeply committed to continuously enhancing value by bringing meaningful innovation to customers throughout their ownership journey,” said Amod Kelkar, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Honda Aircraft Company. “We are pleased to make these enhancements available to more customers across Europe and to continue supporting the success of the global HondaJet community.”
Expanding the global retrofit market
The EASA validation marks the third major regulatory approval for the APMG-S program. Honda Aircraft Company initially introduced the package in December 2025 alongside its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for United States-registered aircraft. Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) followed with its own certification in May 2026.
For European operators, physical installations of the APMG-S package will be conducted by Rheinland Air Service, an authorized HondaJet dealer based in Germany. North American customers continue to be served by the Honda Aircraft Company Service Center at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The certification directly impacts the preowned aircraft market by allowing buyers to purchase older airframes and retrofit them to near-current specifications, or to purchase pre-modified aircraft directly. The company noted that additional international validation applications for the APMG-S package are currently under review by other regional regulators and will be announced as they are achieved.
Two decades of HondaJet development
The European expansion of the APMG-S program arrives during a milestone year for Honda Aircraft Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, the manufacturer celebrated its 20th anniversary of aviation operations in August 2026. During those commemorative events, the company highlighted that the global HondaJet fleet had surpassed 250 total deliveries in 2024.
While supporting the legacy fleet through retrofit programs, the manufacturer is simultaneously advancing its next-generation aircraft. On September 15, 2026, Honda Aircraft Company announced the completion of the first wing structure for the HondaJet Echelon test unit. The Echelon, a new light jet program designed to offer transcontinental range, is currently progressing toward mainline final assembly in Greensboro.
AirPro News analysis
We view the APMG-S program as a strategic lever for Honda Aircraft Company to stabilize residual values and maintain brand loyalty within the preowned market. By offering a certified pathway to retrofit legacy airframes with Elite S-class capabilities, the manufacturer prevents its earliest models from becoming technologically obsolete. This EASA validation is particularly critical for the European market, where airspace density and operational constraints often demand the latest avionics and handling capabilities. Standardizing the global fleet also simplifies long-term MRO and parts support for the Greensboro-based manufacturer.
Photo Credit: HondaJet
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