Faster Than Sea Freight — Cheaper Than Air Cargo (Part 3)
Hybrid-electric cargo flying boats in ground-effect will disrupt global ecommerce and make everything cheaper.
In Part 1 we explored this new freight option for delivering across oceans products directly to consumer mailboxes under 7 days at bargain price.
In Part 2 we showcased the aerospace freight startups aiming to disrupt the future of global trade.
Startup — First Dominate a Niche Market
A ground-effect aerospace startup with transoceanic ambitions might consider experimenting first with the US Mainland/Hawaii overnight and 2-days shipping market. This is a sizable freight route without the complications of international customs and import tariffs.
No need to build a revolutionary aircraft just yet. The key to success lies in the development of a low-carbon propulsion system that is ultimately less costly than fossil fuel.
PBY Catalina
This is the legendary flying boat that roamed the Pacific to spy on the Japanese fleet. It has huge range and payload capacity. Its simplicity and sturdiness would make it a perfect testbed for experimental hybrid-electric technology. Moreover, airworthy Catalinas can still be found at bargain prices.
The sturdy parasol wing was designed to carry extra weight such as bombs. Its ample inner space can accommodate batteries, electric motors and equipment. The latter model 5A is amphibious; it can land on runways as well.
Brand new Catalinas may grace our skies and waterways some day. A Florida company aims to build a modern version with turboprop engines. A cargo version would almost certainly find profitable niches to operate in.
Grumman Albatross
The rugged and seaworthy Albatross is another good platform. It has similar range and payload.
This aircraft was once the workhorse of oceanic search & rescue. But no replacement followed. The US has been lacking this long-range amphibious rescue capability ever since. But this might change with the increasing focus on the Pacific ocean in the next decade.
Albatrosses were sold off to the civilian market. Many are still around, some upgraded with turboprops. The Australian company Amphibian Aerospace Industries plans to build new ones as the G-111T. The company acquired the type certificate and eventually hope to develop for it a zero-emission hybrid propulsion.
The Market
Air cargo inbound from US mainland to Hawaii average 359,000 tons yearly. This freight consists of high value items such as precision machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, etc. Freight outbound to the mainland is largely perishables products totaling 231,000 tons per year. Meanwhile ecommerce freight has been driving growth. It is expected to double in the next few years.
The Competition
UPS, Fedex and Hawaiian-based airlines are the top air cargo players in this market. For example, Fedex offers these overnight and 2-days delivery options for small parcels between Los Angeles and Honolulu.
Aloha Air Cargo is another good option below. All freight must go first to Honolulu, then can continue to other islands. You’ll need to pick up your parcel at the airport.
Surprisingly, the vintage PBY Catalina can beat these prices handily. It could deliver 3022 pounds of cargo from Los Angeles to Honolulu in less than 21 hours. The cost per pound is $5.43.
The cost drops to $2.58 if you invent a technology to fly it safely in partial ground-effect. This saves fuel and slightly increases speed. Less fuel weight allows it to carry more payload. Fly it autonomously (pilotless) in full ground-effect and the cost is now 93 cents per pound. Not bad for this warbird.
Fossil fuel is the dominant cost to optimize. So upgrading the airplane to a disruptive hybrid-electric propulsion is key.
California is an ideal location for such a startup. It has a vibrant and illustrious aerospace industry. It has the major ports of Oakland and Long Beach with sheltered waters.
The decommissioned US Naval Air Station of Alameda in the Bay Area would be ideal for such operations. Read More.
But what about the Hawaiian destination? Honolulu airport was helpfully designed to support flying boat operations even before WW2. In fact, the landing channels are still there today. Perfectly located for quick logistic turnarounds.
About The Author
Pierre is a software engineer for a major computer maker based in Cupertino. He likes to speculate about innovations in various domains such as aviation, cloud computing, AI and music. He holds an FAA pilot license for airplanes, helicopters and sUAS.
All opinions and speculations presented here are strictly his own, and are unrelated to his day job and employer.
