Billionaires and royalty are quite used to landing helicopters on the decks of their superyachts. So you could say that many of the world’s largest private yachts are already “aircraft carriers.” But the latest design concept from a UK-based firm that specializes in conceiving radically luxurious private planes, yachts, and residences for some of world’s most exclusive clients may take the symbiotic relationship between private aviation and superyachts to a whole new level.
The new design unveiled by Winch Design this week is a 328-foot long yacht that’s designed specifically to be able to accommodate an AgustaWestland 609 TiltRotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff capability of a helicopter with the superior speed and load carrying ability of a airplane.
As you can see in the renderings, the AW 609 TiltRotor will not only be able to take off and land on deck. It will also be protected in a fully enclosed hangar when it’s not shuttling owners and their guests to parties, or uber exclusive vacation spots, or the airport to meet their private jets, at top speeds over 300 miles per hour.
But just because this new concept makes its possible for owners and their guests to take off and land from the deck, and fly at twice the speed the fastest conventional helicopter, the yacht is designed to be way, way more than a mobile launch pad. In fact, it’s reported to be capable of achieving estimated speeds approaching 30 knots on the water, and providing ultra luxurious accommodations on multiple decks.
Source:forbes.com
