Peter Manice on Seaplanes, Electric Aircraft, and the Future of Regional

Welcome to this episode of What Follows — the podcast where we explore the people shaping aviation today, and the ideas defining what comes next.In this episode, host Nate Thuli speaks with Peter Manice about the future of aviation, regional mobility, and the changing ways people may move between cities, airports, and coastal communities.The conversation explores the promise of seaplane services, electric aircraft, eVTOL technology, and urban air mobility, while also examining the regulatory, economic, and infrastructure challenges that determine whether new aviation ideas can actually scale.Peter discusses how time savings, customer acceptance, safety, certification, and aircraft design all influence the future of regional travel. From seaplanes to electric aircraft, the episode examines how aviation innovation could make short-distance travel faster, more flexible, and more practical.Key TopicsThe future of aviation and regional mobilityPeter Manice’s journey into aviationSeaplane services and regional travelTime efficiency in short-distance aviationElectric aircraft and eVTOL technologyUrban air mobility and new travel modelsFAA regulation, certification, and safetyCustomer education and public acceptanceInfrastructure needs for future air mobilityThe economics of aviation innovationThe future of electric and hybrid aircraftHow aircraft design is evolvingKey FrameworksPhysics vs. economics in aviationRegulatory hurdles in aviation innovationThe future of electric and hybrid aircraftUrban air mobility infrastructureCustomer acceptance and educationSafety as a condition for scalabilityThemesThis episode focuses on the practical side of aviation innovation. Peter Manice explores why promising aircraft concepts must work not only technically, but economically, operationally, and socially.The conversation frames the future of regional mobility as a balance between physics, regulation, infrastructure, and customer behavior. Seaplanes, electric aircraft, and eVTOLs may open new possibilities, but their success will depend on safety, certification, public trust, and their ability to solve real transportation problems better than existing options.ResourcesFAA Aircraft Certification — https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_certFAA Airworthiness Certification Process — https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certificationFAA Advanced Air Mobility / Air Taxis — https://www.faa.gov/air-taxisFAA Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure —https://www.faa.gov/airports/new_entrants/aam_infrastructureJoby Aviation Official Website — https://www.jobyaviation.comREGENT Seaglider Technology — https://www.regentcraft.comGuest LinksLinkedIn — https://linkedin.com/in/petermaniceCreditsHost: Nate ThuliMusic: Eugeny BardyuzhaArtwork: Edmond HuotProduced by: Helwing VillamizarAdditional MediaAdditional footage and media courtesy of the featured guests and their respective companies, including Airhart, Draco Aircraft, AviNation, Scaled Composites, and EAA.Follow AirhartVisit Airhart and follow along for new What Follows episodes, clips, and updates.Website: AirhartYouTube: Airhart on YouTubeLinkedIn: Airhart on LinkedInInstagram: Airhart on Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatfollowspodcast.substack.com