New Kid on the Block: Class A WIG Craft
The two-seater leverages ground effect to achieve sustained flight over water.
Chinese mobility technology company NAVEE announced on June 5, that its consumer-grade crewed water aircraft, the WaveFly 5X, had successfully completed its first public flight on East Tai Lake in Suzhou, China.
The June 4 event also marked the formal launch of the company's "full-scenario smart outdoor mobility ecosystem," which spans land, water, and air mobility segments.
According to local media, NAVEE’s regional head for the Americas and Australia & New Zealand inked letter of intents with local partners in the Americas. No details were disclosed.
Ground effect is always cool. Video: NAVEE
The WaveFly 5X is a two-seat, pure-electric Class A wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) craft that leverages ground effect to achieve sustained flight at low altitude over water.
Class A is a formal safety classification for WIG craft under international maritime standards. It identifies a vessel engineered to operate exclusively within the aerodynamic influence of ground effect, as defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and various national maritime authorities.
For takeoff, the WaveFly 5X uses dual rotors to provide initial lift and acceleration. Once the craft reaches ground‑effect altitude, the rotors transition to a lower‑power mode while the wing‑in‑ground effect sustains efficient cruise flight.
Rather than climbing to higher altitudes, the WaveFly 5X is designed to cruise at heights of approximately 30 to 50 centimeters (11.8 to 19.7 inches) above the water surface.
At this height, air compression between the wing and water surface creates a high‑pressure cushion that lifts the 120‑kilogram (264.5‑lb) airframe.
The company claims the platform can carry a maximum payload of 140 kilograms (308.6 pounds) and achieve a top speed of 85 kilometers per hour (52.8 miles per hour).
Range is listed as 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) on a single charge, with maximum flight endurance of up to 70 minutes using quick-swap modular batteries, which can be replaced in several minutes.
According to NAVEE, the aircraft’s underside hydro‑step design helps the craft break free from water surface adhesion, allowing a smooth transition into ground‑effect flight.
It touts a reduction in water drag by 90% compared with conventional watercraft, translating to 40% greater efficiency. Energy consumption is claimed to be less than half that of a helicopter for comparable missions.
Unlike conventional aircraft, which operate at altitude, NAVEE said the WaveFly 5X is designed to descend back to the water surface in the event of power loss or emergency, mitigating risks associated with high-altitude falls.
The aircraft features a millisecond-response attitude control system that adjusts flight attitude in real time based on shifts in the user’s center of gravity.
Control inputs are managed via a single handheld joystick, and the instrument panel is significantly simplified compared with certified aircraft.
The company states the aircraft does not require a pilot’s license; rather, users can operate the vehicle after a brief familiarization session.
NAVEE (registered as Tantu Innovation Intelligent Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. [坦途创新智能科技（苏州）有限公司]) was founded in 2021 and initially built its business around high-performance electric scooters.
The company has established a presence in more than 60 countries; it holds over 400 patents, holds the number one market share in the Nordic region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and is in the top three across the broader European market.
The WaveFly 5X is the first product launched under NAVEE's water-air mobility strategy. The company has described the aircraft as a response to the emerging low-altitude economy.
The company's president, Lu Jian, stated that the aircraft is intended to make "personal water flight accessible to everyday consumers," moving beyond professional and industrial use cases.
As of the June 5 announcement, the WaveFly 5X is available for pre-order at a starting price of $99,999 USD. A deposit is required to secure a pre-order position, though the company has not disclosed whether the deposit is refundable or counts toward the final purchase price.
Media reports from March 2026 indicated the company had already received "several hundred letters of intent" from overseas yacht clubs for the WaveFly 5X. Mass production is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2026.
The company's registered business address is: Suzhou Wuzhong Economic Development Zone, Wuzhong Avenue No. 2288, Shangjinwan Headquarters Economic Park, Building A2, Suzhou, China.
Thank you for this interesting article Jennifer.
As you rightly point out, such machines are considered as boats and are regulated by Marine regulations and not aviation regulations. This results from an agreement between ICAO and IMO (International Maritime Organization)
Several are in development worldwide. One example is Regent Viceroy that has a seating capacity of 2+12 and is able of 300kmh and has a range of 300 km and is fully electric.
In my view, they have an interest for liaisons between coastal cities, or from mainland to an Island or inter-islands
I wish you a good weekend
Yves