World's First
VTOL Seaplane
The Seahorse H5 (SH5) is a revolutionary wingless multi-rotor VTOL passenger craft, boasting an unprecedented combination of performance specifications: a 450 km range, 3-hour flight time at a speed of 150 km/h. These capabilities open up a world of new possibilities for transportation, setting the SH5 apart as a true game-changer.
Developed by Seahorse Air Limited (SAL), a joint venture between Flowcopter, UK and Evdron, Singapore, the SH5 is an advanced amphibious Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) craft. It is designed to transform transportation in coastal, island, water-inundated, and challenging terrains such as snow-covered regions. SAL plans to develop and operate the SH5 as a global "micro-airline" service with regional partners/operators. Its applications extend far beyond passenger transport, including air ambulance, air cargo delivery, search & rescue operations, and even joy rides.
As a triphibian mobility solution, the SH5 seamlessly operates across land, air, and water. Its VTOL capabilities allow for take-offs and landings with almost zero infrastructure—just a small deck, patch of land, or body of water is required. Powered by three sets of patented hydraulic propulsion systems, each powered by a Rotax engine, the SH5 ensures redundancy, reliability, and peak performance. For enhanced safety, SAL aims to operate the services exclusively over water while in airborne mode, flying at a low altitude of just 15 meters (50 feet) above sea level.
The SH5 is not just an aircraft, but a pioneer in Maritime Air Mobility (MAM), ushering in a new era where air, land, and water mobility converge effortlessly.
SH5 overview video
SeaHorse H5
A VTOL Seaplane
Sea . Air . Land
Specifications: -Range: 3 hours, 450 km -Speed: 150 km/h -Max Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 1950 Kg -Payload Capacity: 650 Kg -Take-off/Landing: Capable from both water and land -Rotors: 6 sets of co-axial rotors (total 12 rotors). -Propulsion System: Patented “digital displacement hydraulic transmission technology” developed by Flowcopter. The SH5 uses 3 sets of this system in parallel, where each pump is connected to 4 of the 12 hydraulic motors. Each pump is powered by a Rotax engine. -Redundancy: The craft can survive failure of any one of the three complete systems. -Partial “thrust vectoring” without tilting the cabin by our patent pending system of tilting the entire rotor cluster as one singular unit, providing a much simpler and lighter solution for thrust vectoring compared to tilting individual rotors. -Patent pending for a unique feature in the design that makes the SH5 “future ready” by moving the propulsion system out of the fuselage and into the floats. This removes any engine related issues in the cabin as well as, if the propulsion system changes, only the floats may need to be redesigned. -Uses propeller thrust to move on land or water Additional thrusters for moving on water Features: -Capacity: Pilot plus 4 passengers -Interior: Luxurious, air-conditioned, with a standing aisle -Safety: Airbags, seat-belts, and life vests -Luggage: 4 “check-in” bags and 4 “cabin” bags Amenities: Onboard toilet and pantry for beverages and snacks
SH5 Scale Model Trial Video
Seahorse H5:
Passenger/Ambulance/Cargo
Sustainability
The only reason SH5 is not electric is because the power density of batteries is too low as yet. However, we arguably have a much smaller operational carbon footprint than electric and here's how.
The argument of electric vs IC engines wins hands-down with automobiles on roads since in IC engines most of the fuel is burning to keep the engine on and not necessarily to move the car efficiently. But in the air there's no wastage of energy. The added considerations are:
Net Zero
The Rotax engine powering our system is compatible to be used with ethanol which is a fuel that can achieve Net Zero emissions.
Our design is such that when the power density in a battery increases to mitigate the 2 issues highlighted next, we'll simply swap our IC engine with an electric system to power the same hydraulics.
Charging
Electric cars give a range of 400-1000km per charge which could take a week to a month to use up, depending on how you drive it.
eVTOLs give a range of 20mins to 1-2 hours max. So the amount of charging required daily makes it fairly power intensive. This power required for charging has its own carbon footprint.
Discarding Batteries
The batteries in electric cars need to be replaced after 5 years or so. Ever thought how many sets batteries need to be discarded by a single eVTOL annually? These need to be charged after every 20mins to 1-2hrs and batteries have a limited life of 1500-3000 cycles after which, they need to be replaced with a new set. Now considering the eWaste and the carbon footprint of producing new batteries. So, "e" is just not a holistic solution yet for this industry.
SAL @ Air Service World Congress
July 2024, Maldives
Video of SH5 at ASWC 2024, Maldives
Founders
SAL has an experienced founding team that manages their respective work teams in the joint venture.
Seahorse Air Limited
3.3, Edgefield Industrial Estate, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH20 9TB United Kingdom