Seaplane Hong Kong Group SeaplaneX (concept design)

(Image credit: Seaplane Hong Kong Group)

SeaplaneX (concept design)
Seaplane Hong Kong Group
Hong Kong, China
www.seaplanehk.com/dragonflyx

Please remember, it is known that information originating from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or inaccurate. The information we provide here is either from company news reports or online articles. We do know that China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" (in the US, it's known as advanced air mobility or AAM). China's low-altitude economy includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft.

Founded in 2021, Seaplane Hong Kong Group is in the business of private jet charters, helicopter charters, yacht charters and supercar rentals. The company is also in the business of designing and manufacturing autonomous passenger hydrogen-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM).

SeaplaneX scalable autonomous long-range high-speed passenger hydrogen-electric VTOL concept design aircraft
The SeaplaneX is a scalable autonomous long-range high-speed passenger hydrogen-electric VTOL concept design aircraft. The aircraft can carry as many as eight passengers and their luggage. The aircraft has a sleek modern design helping to reduce travel time for point-to-point air taxi service in dense urban areas. We believe the old name of the aircraft was called DragonX but the new name of the aircraft according to the company's website is now called SeaplaneX.

The aircraft has an estimated maximum cruise speed of possibly up to 260 km/h (162 mph) or possibly faster. The aircraft can fly a much lower cruise speeds according to the company's website. The anticipated maximum range of the aircraft is 400 km (249 m) and has a calculated maximum payload weight of 1,000 kg (2,205 lb). For propulsion, the aircraft uses four tilt-propellers, four electric motors and is powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for its power source. The aircraft has one high main wing, one rear V-tail and has retractable tricycle dual-wheeled landing gear. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. There is also a whole aircraft emergency ballistic parachute in case of an unexpected inflight emergency.

The company has stated their aircraft will be six times less expensive per mile than a helicopter, will greater decrease maintenance costs when compared to a helicopter and will have a 40% reduction in operations costs compared to a helicopter.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Scalable passenger hydrogen-electric VTOL concept design aircraft
• Piloting: Autonomous
• Capacity: 8 passengers
• Cruise speed: ~80-260 km/h  (~50-162 mph), or possibly faster
• Maximum range: 400 km (249 m)
• Maximum payload weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
• Propellers: 4 propellers
• Electric motors: 4 electric motors
• Power source: Hydrogen fuel cells and battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views with a solid roof above the passenger compartment
• Wings: 1 main high wing
• Tail: 1 V-tail
• Landing gear: Retractable tricycle dual-wheeled landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. There is also a whole aircraft emergency ballistic parachute in case of an unexpected inflight emergency.

Resources:

• Seaplane Hong Kong Group website
• Seaplane Hong Kong Group LinkedIn
• Article: Exclusive: Seaplane Hong Kong will manufacture Hydrogen Fueled Aircraft in Hong Kong, Travel Radar, Aug. 19, 2021
• Article: A review of 100 Chinese low-altitude economy companies and 35 domestic eVTOL companies!, ChatPlas, Feb. 20, 2025