Tidal Flight
Tidal Flight is an early-stage aerospace startup developing the Polaris, a hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane for 9-12 passengers, selling directly to commercial seaplane operators and defense customers for coastal regional mobility applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersChesapeake, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Tidal Flight does
Tidal Flight, Inc. is an early-stage aerospace company founded in 2023 in Hampton Roads, Virginia, developing the Polaris, a hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane designed to carry 9-12 passengers on coastal regional routes of 100-500 miles. The aircraft uses a clean-sheet composite monohull hull validated through 3D-printed scale model towing tank tests at Stevens Institute's Davidson Laboratory, paired with a hybrid-electric powertrain that combines electric motors with a DeltaHawk FAA-certified DHK jet-fuel piston engine as a range extender. Stated performance targets versus legacy seaplanes include an 85% reduction in fuel burn, 40% reduction in direct operating costs, approximately 20 dB noise reduction, and near-elimination of corrosion-related maintenance. The product is currently at subscale prototype stage; the 1/6th-scale demonstrator first flew in July 2024, a full-scale iron bird is under construction, first full-scale prototype flight is targeted for 2028, and FAA certification is targeted for 2030.
The business model is direct B2B sale of aircraft at an approximate list price of $6 million per unit to commercial seaplane operators, charter companies, and government/defense customers. The company has accumulated 11 Letters of Intent across 8 countries representing 140+ aircraft and $900M+ in stated potential order value, anchored by Tropic Ocean Airways, WingTips, MEHAIR, Seaplane Safaris, and Coastal Seaplanes. MEHAIR's 5 firm orders plus 5 options is the only disclosed conversion of an LOI into a firm commitment. Defense revenue is anchored by a $1.25 million AFWERX SBIR Direct to Phase II contract for Department of the Air Force Pacific operations. Capital raised to date totals roughly $5.3 million in seed and non-dilutive funding ($4M seed, $1.25M AFWERX, $75K VIPC CCF grant), supplemented by a $538,000 Virginia state investment announced in April 2026 to fund a 13,000 sq ft hangar expansion at Chesapeake Regional Airport and a tripling of headcount from 3 co-founders to 9 employees. The company has three co-founders — Jude Augustine (CEO), Pranav Krishnamurthy (CTO), and Mark Lau (Chief Engineer) — drawn from Georgia Institute of Technology and BETA Technologies.
Tidal Flight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tidal Flight
- Legal name
- Tidal Flight, Inc.
- Website
- https://tidalflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tidal Flight is an early-stage aerospace startup developing the Polaris, a hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane for 9-12 passengers, selling directly to commercial seaplane operators and defense customers for coastal regional mobility applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tidal Flight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Air Mobility / Electric Amphibious Aircraft Manufacturing
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Amphibious & Seaplane Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems (IMAJAHAC)
Keywords
Where Tidal Flight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chesapeake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tidal Flight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Sales: Direct sales of Polaris hybrid-electric seaplanes to commercial operators and charter companies. LOIs represent over $900 million in potential orders across 140+ aircraft at approximately $6 million per aircraft list price.
- Defense Contracts: SBIR Direct to Phase II contract with AFWERX ($1.25M) for iron bird development supporting Department of the Air Force requirements for runway-independent Pacific operations.
- Government Grants: Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) grant of $75,000 for subscale prototype fabrication and testing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Polaris aircraft - 9-12 passenger hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Tidal Flight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tidal Flight is developing Polaris, a clean-sheet, composite, hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane designed to carry 9-12 passengers on coastal regional routes of 100-500 miles. The aircraft pairs an electric propulsion system with a DeltaHawk FAA-certified jet-fuel piston engine as a range extender, replacing 1950s-era floatplane technology with modern composite monohull hydrodynamics. It is sold directly to commercial seaplane operators, charter companies, and defense customers through Letters of Intent and multi-year fleet contracts at a list price of approximately $6 million per aircraft.
Product overview
Tidal Flight offers a single unified product: the Polaris hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane. Polaris is a commuter-class aircraft designed for coastal regional mobility, capable of carrying 9-12 passengers on 100-500 mile routes. Built with modern composite materials and a hybrid-electric propulsion system, it reduces fuel consumption by 85%, lowers operating costs by 40%, and significantly reduces noise and corrosion compared to traditional seaplanes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Polaris Hybrid-Electric Amphibious Seaplane Polaris is a clean-sheet, composite, hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane for 9-12 passengers on coastal routes of 100-500 miles. It combines electric propulsion with a DeltaHawk FAA-certified jet-fuel piston engine as a range extender, delivering an 85% reduction in fuel burn, 40% reduction in direct operating costs, approximately 20 dB noise reduction, and near-elimination of corrosion-related maintenance compared to traditional seaplanes. It is sold to commercial seaplane operators, charter companies, and defense customers at an approximate list price of $6 million per aircraft.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% reduction in fuel burn compared to traditional seaplanes
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Tidal Flight
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tidal Flight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Tidal Flight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- MEHAIR (Maritime Energy Heli Air Services)coreIndia's pioneering seaplane operator since 2011, awarded 92 seaplane routes under India's UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. Signed LOI for 5 firm + 5 optional Polaris aircraft at Singapore Airshow 2026, with deliveries targeted from 2030. MEHAIR intends to deploy Polaris for regional air services to remote coastal communities, islands, and inland waterways across India.
- Seaplane Safaris (Bahamas)coreThe Bahamas' only 100% Bahamian-owned and operated seaplane company. LOI for 5 Polaris Amphibian aircraft valued at over $30 million USD. Strategic collaboration includes joint demonstrations, community engagement with Bahamian officials, and shared vision for expanding seaplane infrastructure and services across the Out Islands.
- WingTipscoreModern air mobility company delivering charter aviation at affordable prices, currently operating across Texas with plans for national expansion. LOI for 20 Polaris Amphibian aircraft valued at over $100 million. Partnership involves detailed market studies, operational modeling, and route planning using WingTips' proprietary AI-powered demand prediction software.
- Coastal SeaplanescoreHampton Roads-based seaplane airline operating across Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Bay, and Outer Banks. LOI for Polaris aircraft with locally-informed operational insights and feedback for Tidal's development. Partnership supports planning for entry-into-service and joint community engagement in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- AFWERX / US Air Force Research LaboratorycoreAFWERX awarded Tidal Flight a SBIR Direct to Phase II (D2P2) contract of $1.25M focused on developing the iron bird for Polaris hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft. Supports Department of the Air Force Pacific operations requiring runway-independent, low-signature, small logistics footprint capability.
- DeltaHawk EnginescoreBuilders of revolutionary FAA-certified DHK jet-fueled piston engines based in Racine, Wisconsin. MOU signed for co-development of hybrid jet-fuel powerplant for Polaris aircraft. DeltaHawk's engine technology enables higher fuel efficiency, lower acquisition cost, and lower maintenance costs than turbogenerator alternatives.
- Tropic Ocean AirwayscoreMajor seaplane airline based in Ft. Lauderdale founded in 2009, operating largest fleet of passenger amphibious aircraft in North America. LOI for 20 Polaris Amphibian aircraft valued at over $100 million announced at FOSAA25 conference in Miami. Tropic Ocean will deploy Polaris for sustainable regional mobility in Florida, the Bahamas, and beyond.
- Stevens Institute of Technology / Davidson LaboratorysupportingConducted towing tank testing of 1/6th scale Polaris prototype in Davidson Laboratory's High-Speed Towing Tank (313 feet long, built 1944 for US Navy seaplane testing). First fully 3D-printed model tested at the facility, validating computational methods for hull design and planing regime analysis.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tidal Flight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- VoltAero: VoltAero is developing the Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft family for regional air mobility and business aviation. It is a comparable hybrid-electric regional platform with a similar operator-targeting business model.
- Regent Craft: Regent is developing the Viceroy, an electric seaglider for coastal regional mobility serving similar 100–500 mile routes. Like Tidal, it targets the same underserved coastal passenger market with a new airframe architecture, making it the closest direct peer in mission and customer.
- Heart Aerospace: Heart is developing the ES-30, a hybrid-electric 30-seat regional airliner. It competes for the same hybrid-electric regional aviation narrative and airline operator mindshare as Polaris, though for larger conventional-takeoff aircraft.
- Eviation: Eviation is developing the Alice, an all-electric commuter aircraft targeting regional airline operators. It overlaps with Polaris on electric regional mobility customer base and certification pathway, though it is land-based and battery-only.
- Ampaire: Ampaire retrofits regional aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion and is targeting similar commuter-class operators to Polaris. Its hybrid-electric architecture and operator-focused GTM mirror Tidal's approach.
Broad incumbents
- BETA Technologies: Founded by Tidal Flight co-founders' alma mater BETA Technologies, BETA is developing electric conventional-takeoff aircraft and charging infrastructure for regional mobility. It is the closest direct comparable on electric aviation powertrain and regional air mobility, though it focuses on land-based aircraft rather than amphibious.
- Harbour Air: Harbour Air is North America's largest seaplane operator and has flown a prototype electric DHC-2 Beaver. While primarily an operator rather than OEM, its eBeaver program is the most credible existing effort to electrify seaplane operations and overlaps directly with Tidal's target customer base.
- De Havilland Canada: De Havilland Canada manufactures the Twin Otter, the dominant utility amphibious aircraft globally. It is the legacy OEM whose aging fleet Tidal's Polaris is positioned to replace, and represents the established competitor Tidal must displace at operators.
- magniX: magniX is a leading developer of electric propulsion systems for aircraft, supplying motors to Harbour Air, Eviation, and others. It is comparable as a critical enabling technology provider in the same hybrid/electric aviation ecosystem Tidal operates in.
Others
- Tropic Ocean Airways: Tropic Ocean Airways is one of Tidal Flight's largest LOI partners and operates the largest fleet of passenger amphibious aircraft in North America. While not a peer in the OEM sense, it is the most strategically aligned customer/launch operator and the clearest read on commercial demand for Polaris.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tidal Flight social profiles
Digital presenceTidal Flight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tidal Flight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Tidal Flight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tidal Flight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tidal Flight
What does Tidal Flight do?
Tidal Flight is developing Polaris, a clean-sheet, composite, hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane designed to carry 9-12 passengers on coastal regional routes of 100-500 miles. The aircraft pairs an electric propulsion system with a DeltaHawk FAA-certified jet-fuel piston engine as a range extender, replacing 1950s-era floatplane technology with modern composite monohull hydrodynamics. It is sold directly to commercial seaplane operators, charter companies, and defense customers through Letters of Intent and multi-year fleet contracts at a list price of approximately $6 million per aircraft.
Is Tidal Flight a public or private company?
Tidal Flight is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Tidal Flight founded?
Tidal Flight was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tidal Flight based?
Tidal Flight is headquartered in Chesapeake, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tidal Flight make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Sales are the primary driver. The others are defense Contracts and government Grants.
Who are Tidal Flight's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are VoltAero, Regent Craft, Heart Aerospace, Eviation and Ampaire. Broad incumbents are BETA Technologies, Harbour Air, De Havilland Canada and magniX. Tropic Ocean Airways is listed as an others.
Does Tidal Flight have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tidal Flight.
What industry is Tidal Flight in?
Tidal Flight's product category is Regional Air Mobility / Electric Amphibious Aircraft Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAF, Amphibious & Seaplane Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMAJAHAC, Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems. Its SIC code is 3721.