A Life Guided by Passion for Flight

Fischer as a young Luftwaffe pilot in 1944

Born in 1924, Fischer’s love for aviation began as a young man. Fascinated by flight as a teenager, he became a Luftwaffe fighter pilot in 1944. After the war, despite Germany’s post-war restrictions on aviation, Fischer’s passion for innovation only grew. In 1948, he married and later had three children, creating a loving family while continuing to pursue his engineering dreams.

By 1955, he had designed Germany’s first post-war motorized aircraft, the RW-3, using fiberglass-reinforced plastic — a revolutionary material for aircraft construction at the time. Fischer’s career spanned decades, during which he designed nearly 30 motor gliders, touring, business, training, and experimental aircraft, continuously refining his ideas. He patented groundbreaking technologies such as curved, noise-reduced propellers, turbofan engines, and ring wings. His unyielding drive to innovate kept him designing and testing aircraft even into his 90s. Reflecting on his lifelong dedication, Fischer once said:

“As long as my mind is sharp, I’ll keep working. It’s more fulfilling to wake up early and do something productive than just pass the time.
It’s a kind of mental sport, if you will.”

This unyielding drive to innovate kept him designing and testing even into his 90s.

The Ground Effect: Inspired by Nature

X.114 in flight

Nature often holds the answers to humanity’s greatest challenges, and Fischer was one of the rare engineers who recognized its potential. Inspired by seabirds like the albatross that glide effortlessly above water using a cushion of air, Fischer saw more than beauty — he saw opportunity. Observing this phenomenon sparked his interest in the physical principle of ground effect.

Ground effect occurs when a wing flying close to a surface generates additional lift due to the compression of air between the wing and the surface. This phenomenon reduces drag and increases lift efficiency, allowing for smoother and more energy-efficient flight. Fischer harnessed this principle to create innovative designs that combined the speed of flying with the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of maritime travel.

Beginning in 1966, Fischer delved deeply into ground-effect technology, developing designs that bridged air and sea travel. At the beginning, he also worked in this area together with the famous aircraft designer Alexander Lippisch. His WIG effect craft, such as the X.113, X.114, and ultimately the AirFish 8, showcased how a concept inspired by nature could be transformed into a groundbreaking transportation innovation. By mimicking the flight mechanics of seabirds, Fischer created vehicles capable of addressing the unique transportation needs of island nations and coastal communities.

AirFish 8: The Skimmer of the Seas

AirFish 8: Designed by Fischer, now developed by ST Engineering AirX.

Among Fischer’s many contributions, the AirFish 8 stands out as the crowning achievement of his ground-effect designs. Developed under Fischer Flugmechanik GmbH, the AirFish 8 is an eight-seat WIG craft capable of gliding just a few meters above the water at speeds up to 80 knots (150 km/h). Designed to operate efficiently on coastal routes, island-hopping, and inland waterways, it represents a cost-effective alternative to both slow maritime vessels and expensive aircraft.

Fischer captured the AirFish 8’s exceptional stability with a simple yet vivid example.

“You can set a cup of coffee down at 150 km/h, and not a single drop will spill.”

This practical detail highlights the thoughtful engineering behind the craft, emphasizing its smooth and reliable performance even at high speeds.

A Personal Legacy of Persistence

RW-3, Germany’s first post-war motorized aircraft

Fischer’s journey was not without challenges. Both the aviation and maritime industries were skeptical of his hybrid concept — too much like a plane to be a boat, and too much like a boat to be a plane. Yet Fischer persisted, testing his prototypes on Germany’s Lake Baldeney and refining designs with meticulous care.

Beyond his engineering feats, Fischer was deeply admired by those who worked with him. He filled his home with wooden models of his designs, gifts from colleagues who shared his enthusiasm for turning ideas into reality. His enduring curiosity and dedication were traits he carried throughout his life, even as he continued piloting his own aircraft well into his 90s. He made the maiden flights of most of his designs himself and was still sitting in the cockpit of his own RW-3 at the age of over 90.

The Bridge Between Air and Sea

Hanno Fischer often said that aviation was “fast but costly,” while shipping was “cheap but slow.” With WIG vehicles like the AirFish 8, he provided the perfect bridge — a technology that combines speed, efficiency, and affordability. For countries with fragmented geographies, such as Indonesia or the Philippines, the AirFish 8 is more than a vessel — it’s a lifeline.

Fischer envisioned WIG craft as the future of medium-distance transportation, capable of revolutionizing trade, tourism, and emergency response. Even as others doubted the feasibility of his vision, he pushed forward, leaving a blueprint for the next generation of engineers.

A Vision That Lives On

Hanno Fischer as the Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board of Fanjet Aviation GmbH

Even in his later years, Fischer described his work as a “mental sport.” His contributions, from the RW-3 to the Hoverwing series and the Fantrainers, are testaments to his unwavering commitment to progress. Today, as AirFish 8 glides over Singapore waters, it symbolizes Fischer’s enduring legacy:

A man who dared to dream of flight where the sky meets the sea, and he made it a reality.

Hanno Fischer’s story inspires engineers, innovators, and dreamers to look to the horizon — and beyond. His AirFish 8 remains a beacon of what is possible when science, nature, and imagination converge.

Hanno Fischer (1924–2024): Father of the AirFish

Hanno Fischer taught the world that the skies do not end at the horizon and that innovation has no boundaries. His AirFish 8 remains a beacon of what is possible when science, nature, and imagination come together. For those who witness its smooth, silent glide over water, it is clear: Hanno Fischer didn’t just build machines — he built the future.

Rest in peace, Hanno Fischer. Your wings may rest, but your legacy soars eternally.

Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to Peter W. Cohausz for providing the photos and valuable information that enriched this tribute to Hanno Fischer’s remarkable life and legacy.

Singapore, 17 April 2024 – ST Engineering AirX (AirX), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks), today announced a strategic partnership with Bureau Veritas (BV), a global leader in the Testing, Inspection and Certification industry, aimed at advancing Wing-in-Ground (WIG) technology. The collaboration will focus on the classification and certification of AirX’s AirFish WIG craft, which represents a vital step towards its entry into service.

The AirFish is a groundbreaking WIG marine craft that operates just above the water, utilising aerodynamic forces generated by ground effect to achieve a more fuel-efficient high speed of travel. Under the partnership and a shared vision in driving innovation, AirX and BV will work together to classify and certify AirFish 8, a 10-seater WIG craft, under BV’s NI525 process for the risk-based qualification of new technology, and liaise with flag states to register the marine platform in respective countries. AirX and BV will also pool their expertise and resources to establish a robust framework for the classification and certification of AirX’s future WIG platforms, and lay the groundwork for the serial production of the AirFish WIG craft.

AirX will contribute its design and development specialisms as the OEM of the WIG craft, and leverage ST Engineering’s expertise in aircraft certification and qualification with civil aviation authorities. BV will provide advisory services on the design and development of the AirFish WIG craft from a regulatory and classification perspective, as well as technology qualification assessments based on BV’s NI525, classification and equipment certification services, whilst also providing risk and safety assessments associated with the development and operations of AirFish WIG craft.

Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering, said, “In our pioneering journey to commercialise the world’s first WIG craft, we have chosen to partner Bureau Veritas to classify and certify our AirFish Wing-in-Ground solution. This is a significant milestone in realising the huge potential of Wing-in-Ground technology in areas such as maritime transportation, and the delivery of parapublic and logistics services. We look forward to working with Bureau Veritas to set new standards in innovation and safety, with a technology that is set to revolutionise maritime transportation.”

David Barrow, Vice-President South Asia and Pacific at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented, “We are delighted to support the development and deployment of the innovative AirFish Wing-in-Ground technology. Leveraging our extensive industry and regulatory experience, alongside our technological expertise, we will collaborate closely with ST Engineering AirX to navigate the complexities of introducing this groundbreaking solution to the market, with the common goal of driving growth and efficiency for the maritime industry.”

In addition to the partnership with BV, AirX will be collaborating with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in the trials and development of AirX’s AirFish Wing-in-Ground craft in Singapore. The trials, which are expected to commence from 3Q2024 at a frequency of twice monthly initially, will help contribute to the establishment of an Engineering and Certification Centre of Excellence for WIG in Singapore.

*****

ST Engineering AirX (AirX), a subsidiary of ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks) combines various disciplines in aviation, marine and Wing-in-Ground (WIG) effect technology to form a centre of excellence for WIG craft in Singapore, that can effectively serve transportation and logistics needs in coastal areas. The company’s portfolio comprises the AirFish family of WIG craft, which includes the two-seater AirFish 3 and the 10-seater AirFish 8, and in time to come, new AirFish platforms with greater seat capacity.

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers’ excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change. Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas’ 83,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company’s technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5° index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For media enquiries, please contact news@stengg.com.

The joint venture company, ST Engineering AirX, signed a letter of intent (LOI) on Feb 21 at the Singapore Airshow with Eurasia Mobility Solutions in Turkey for an order of up to 10 AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft with options for 10 more.

The value of the craft was not disclosed.

ST Engineering AirX, which manufactures the AirFish family of WIG craft, will customise and deliver the 10-seat AirFish 8 to Eurasia Mobility Solutions progressively from 2025 to serve Turkey’s tourism and private transportation sectors.

Mr Kubilay Ilgin, founder of Eurasia Mobility Solutions, said: “We are happy to introduce an innovative transportation model using a brand-new technology to Turkey, a country surrounded by the sea on three sides.

“As an alternative mode of transportation, AirFish 8 offers a safe, sustainable and faster solution to conveniently reach places without any port or runway. Faster than existing air and marine travel options, this new technology will change the rules of marine transportation and create new trends in Turkey.”

Mr Jeffrey Lam, president of commercial aerospace at ST Engineering, said: “This is a significant milestone for ST Engineering’s commercial aerospace business as we scale up our engineering and original manufacturing capabilities to develop more innovative and sustainable solutions that connect people and goods along some of the earth’s vast coastal areas.”

The Airfish family of WIG craft operates on the principle of ground effect to skim just above the surface. Ground effect is the name given to the positive influence on the lifting characteristics of an aircraft’s wing when it is close to the ground.

This is because air beneath a wing is compressed by proximity to the ground, creating a cushioning effect and increasing the lift generated by the aircraft’s wing. This is the same principle of flight used by large-bodied birds such as the albatross to conserve energy while staying in the air. 

Mr Leon Tan, general manager of ST Engineering AirX, told The Straits Times that by operating just above the waves, WIG craft also have the added advantage of not needing extra energy from its engines, which is required by seagoing vessels to overcome hydrodynamic drag – the force generated by water that opposes the direction of motion of boats and ships. 

The Airfish 8 being ordered by Eurasia Mobility Solutions measures 17m long and 15m wide. It is designed to be operated by two crew, with a carrying capacity of six to eight passengers.

The craft is powered by an eight-cylinder automotive engine that runs on 95-octane unleaded petrol, which enables it to skim above the waves at 90 knots (167kmh) and to distances of up to 300 nautical miles (555km), which is significantly faster that the typical seagoing fast ferries that tend to travel at 30 knots. 

As it takes off and lands on water, the Airfish family of WIG craft does not need airport infrastructure like runways to operate, and can load and unload passengers on beaches if no piers are available. 

Airfish 8 is designed and built to adhere to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines, and Mr Tan said that the next step for ST Engineering AirX is to get the Airfish 8 certified as a Type A WIG in accordance with IMO classification, which is for craft that is operated only in ground effect. 

Singapore’s association with the Airfish WIG craft started in 2004, when Wigetworks acquired all patents, intellectual property rights and know-how for the design and production of all Airfish types of WIG craft from Germany’s Airfoil Development GmbH, along with the licence and exclusive rights to market and distribute Airfish technology worldwide.

The first Airfish 8 made its first test flight in October 2016 and has since undergone extensive testing outside of Singapore.

ST Engineering’s commercial aerospace business formed ST Engineering AirX with Peluca (formerly Wigetworks) in 2023 to tap the potential of WIG technology and commercialise the AirFish family.

Mr Tan sees a variety of applications for the Airfish WIG craft going forward, with possible cargo versions and scaled-up craft with potential for search and rescue as well as military applications. 

“The goal of ST Engineering AirX is not just to get the Airfish flying safely, but also to be disruptive in the maritime travel industry,” he said. 

Eurasia Mobility Solutions (EMS) has opted for the 10-seat version of the Airfish family that ST Engineering offers through a joint venture with Singapore-based SME Wigetworks, which recently rebranded under the name Peluca. The joint venture, called AirX, launched in July 2023. The Turkish company plans to operate the Airfish for tourism and private transport purposes.

The version displayed on the ST Engineering stand at the Singapore Airshow this week is a two-seat version designated the Airfish 3. It derives from a series of experimental WIGs designed and flown by German company Airfoil Development (AFD) in the 1960s and 1970s. The German military evaluated one in 1977, but no orders followed. Two decades later, AFD built the Airfish 3 and the larger Airfish 8. Those prototypes underwent sea trials in the Netherlands and Australia in 2001.

Established in Singapore in 2004, Wigetworks bought the intellectual property rights and the two prototypes from AFD. It conducted more sea trials in Thailand and Singapore in 2007 and 2008. It built two pre-production Airfish 8 models in 2017 and 2018. The Royal Thai Navy evaluated them and delivered a positive verdict but, again, it did not place an order.

WIG craft use aerodynamic lift plus air pressure generated by flying close to the water surface, reducing induced drag and enabling speeds of up to 90 knots. ST Engineering says that WIGs are inherently stable, and therefore need no complex flight control systems.

For takeoff and landing, the Airfish 8 can operate up to sea state 3 and in wind speeds of up to 15 knots. It carries a payload of up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and a cruising range of 300 nm. The maximum takeoff weight is 5,500 kilograms (12,000 pounds). A pair of standard General Motors 500-hp automobile engines power its two pusher propellers.

If operated in ground effect and up to 500 feet, the Airfish can be certified under International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rules. Above that altitude, it must achieve ICAO certification.

ST Engineering also cites potential military applications in littoral waters as a stealth platform and in parapublic roles such as medical evacuation and oil spill response.

Seeing an untapped market for wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) aircraft, especially for missions in the littoral waters around Southeast Asia and beyond, the company partnered in 2023 with local player Wigetworks to form the AirX joint venture to market and scale up Wigetworks’ Airfish series.

Tan Choon Seng Leon Mark, general manager of AirX, says ST Engineering saw the potential in an untapped technology that is “faster than a ferry, safer than a helicopter and cheaper than a seaplane.” The company is entering the market hoping to apply its experience in aeronautical safety, modification and certification.

• The company aims for Airfish 8 service entry by 2025
• Potential regional flashpoints bring new military opportunities for aircraft

The WIG effect uses a cushion of air pressure to fly slightly above the water’s surface, resulting in stable flight with a significant reduction in drag and energy expended.

Tan says Wigetworks has proven itself, outliving the “WIG hype” of recent years and producing a product that can be commercialized and scaled quickly with conventional engines. This is in contrast to the Regent Viceroy 12-passenger WIG vehicle under development in the U.S., which will use full electric propulsion. Wigetworks’ flagship product is the 5,500-kg (12,650-lb.) Airfish 8, a 17.2-m-long (56.4-ft.) and 15-m-wide WIG aircraft that can carry a crew of two plus 1,300 kg of cargo or eight passengers.

Powered by a pair of 500-hp General Motors LS-series V-8 automobile engines driving two pusher propellers, the Airfish 8 can achieve a speed of 90 kt with a maximum operating range of 250-300 nm. On the water, it can handle up to sea state 3 (maximum wave height of 3 m) during takeoff and landing.

Unlike the short-wing concept on the Ekranoplan WIG deployed by the Soviets in the 1980s, the Airfish 8 utilizes the large reverse-delta wing design developed by Germany’s Airfoil Development, from which Wigetworks acquired patents, know-how and licenses.

ST Engineering is integrating Garmin avionics and Ray Marine maritime navigation systems into a single human-machine interface, enabling the pilot to see both conventional aircraft instruments and maritime traffic.

“Essentially, we are not looking at training a pilot, but a boat captain-plus,” Tan says. “It’s all about operating and training costs.”

Two Airfish 8 prototypes in Malacca, Malaysia, are undergoing tests and data collection for verification of the baseline design. The next steps are for the design to be cleared by testing and certification company Bureau Veritas before being certified by maritime regulators.

Certification rules for WIG aircraft have been defined clearly by the International Maritime Organization and its aviation counterpart, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Type A certification covers only ground-effect flight. Type B includes ground-effect operation and free controlled flight up to 150 m above the surface. Anything above that altitude would fall under ICAO rules and regulations.

AirX is only seeking Type A certification for commercial operation and Type B for certain military customers that are requesting it for active flight controls. There are no near-term goals to attain any aviation type certification. 

Tan is hoping the Airfish can enter service in 2025.

ST Engineering envisions the Airfish 8 as 50% cheaper to operate than a comparable helicopter, and the company aspires to connect remote island communities more efficiently.

In the area of tourism, the WIG aircraft could find a niche among divers, for whom conventional aircraft raise pressurization concerns and ferries suffer from limited range and speed.

Other applications could include first-responder missions and oil spill cleanup, for which the Airfish 8 could arrive quickly without the need for infrastructure such as airfields. The vehicle’s cabin and doors can be modified to fit two joint modular intermodal containers or stretchers in a medevac configuration.

Tan says the company has identified a number of regional markets in which a WIG aircraft could garner traction: Australia, the Caribbean, Japan’s Okinawa and Aomori, the Maldives, Southeast Asia, Turkey’s Black Sea and the U.S. Studies show there could a market for 3,000 WIG aircraft just to replace ferries, helicopters and seaplanes.

“Taking a conservative estimate and capture of 10% of the market, we could see a production capacity of 25-50 WIG craft annually,” he adds. Each aircraft could cost $3-5 million. Although marketed as a commercial product, the Airfish 8 has garnered significant interest in recent months amid military conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific region.

When skimming the water’s surface, the WIG enjoys a stealth effect; its low altitude makes it hard for conventional long-range search radars to detect, while its no-wake feature makes it difficult to spot from the skies.

Tan says in addition to expected missions such as the delivery of special forces, the Airfish 8 can perform tasks like dropping sensors near borders—a mission that would be “tricky” for a helicopter. Installing a 950-liter (251-gal.) internal fuel bladder could further extend its range to 1,000 nm.

He notes that due to its expeditionary nature, the U.S. Marine Corps is one of the potential users studying the Airfish 8. The Royal Thai Navy also wrote a testimonial letter following a test flight in 2017. U.S. Special Operations Command has not reached out, but Tan hopes it is only “a matter of time as traction builds.” The military is among those requesting certification and permission to fly the Airfish 8 in so-called Type B conditions, possibly over land masses or tree lines.

ST Engineering has begun sizing studies on a new variant called the Airfish X that could seat 24-40 passengers, eyed for service entry in 2028. The company also is evaluating and incorporating technologies such as autonomous systems and considering the integration of novel electrical and hydrogen propulsion technologies. Tan says the company will be engaging established engine companies such as Yamaha and Honda—which have experience in automobile, maritime and hybrid propulsion—for future Airfish engines.

Due to fuel and fire flashpoint restrictions from maritime regulators, there are no immediate plans to integrate turbine engines onto the WIG vehicles, although Tan acknowledges it would be more efficient to use them as the craft scale up in size.