Airplane-Like Sub Ready for Monterey Launch

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco showcased Wednesday a white and red winged submersible that journeys to the depths of  the ocean to explore its vast mysteries.

The Deep Flight Super Falcon submersible, the first  production-model winged submersible built by engineer Graham Hawkes, was a  two-year process created for exploration and science, said Karen Hawkes, wife  of Graham and spokeswoman for Point Richmond-based Hawkes Ocean Technologies.

"They're exquisite machines," Hawkes said. "The submersible moves through water like dolphins and whales."

The submersible stretches 20 feet and resembles an airplane with tail rudders and wings that extend from both sides. Inside, the submersible  has one pressure hall and two bubble canopies for passengers with carbon  fiber seats and safety harnesses, Hawkes said.

A joystick controls the speed and pitch of the Super Falcon, as well as its rate of ascent and descent.

Hawkes said that the mechanism operates like an airplane with reverse lift and can travel as deep as 1,000 feet.

Prior to descent, the Super Falcon floats on the surface and then powers down and flies into the ocean. The submersible ascends to the surface  simply by turning the power off. Hawkes said the ascent rate from 200 feet is  about 30 seconds and one minute from 400 feet.

"It's quiet and sort of otherworldly," Hawkes said. "You don't realize how fast you're going, it can be very exhilarating and an adrenaline  rush."

The first mission for the Super Falcon is the launch of VIP in the Sea, a program created by Hawkes Ocean Technologies and the National Oceanic  and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuaries.

Hawkes said the submersible will be used as an ambassador to the ocean to take communicators, such as poets, musicians, artists, politicians  and journalists on an underwater flight exploration.

Hawkes said it is hoped that they will in turn use the experience to connect the public to the ocean and promote ocean exploration and  conservation.

"People are intrigued with space exploration and they really haven't seen the ocean like that," Hawkes said, adding that ocean exploration  has been underfunded in comparison to space exploration.

The first VIP in the Sea program will be held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in June.

Hawkes said the construction cost for the submersible was $1.5 million and was funded by private corporations.

Graham Hawkes will discuss the submersible at the Academy's NightLife event today. The submersible will be on display through May 17.