PICTURE GALLERY: Hovertravel’s brand new hovercraft ‘Solent Flyer’ has landed at Ryde for the first time this afternoon (Monday), marking the start of another chapter in the company’s 50-year history.
Staff and members of the public welcomed Solent Flyer to the Ryde terminal shortly after 14:00, the first time the re-designed Union Jack livery has been seen in public and the first time that the craft has touched down on the Isle of Wight. Former Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight and original MD of Hovertravel, Christopher Bland, also welcomed the modern-age craft to the Island.
The Griffon 12000TD is due to run on the Ryde-Southsea passenger route in just a few months time, replacing the aging AP1-88 hovercraft that are currently used to cross the Solent. A second 12000TD named ‘Island Flyer’ will also operate on the 5-mile crossing.
Over the coming weeks the new craft will be seen on and around the Solent as trials are carried out for pilots and crew to familiarise themselves.
