Futuristic Commercial Jet Takes Off & Lands Vertically
Jeff Edwards August 31, 2015
An artist rendering shows a TriFan 600 aircraft with the ability to both takeoff and land vertically, in this image released by XTI Aircraft Company on August 25, 2015. REUTERS/XTI Aircraft Company/Handout via Reuters
A Denver-based startup is hoping that a crowdfunding campaign will bring investors small and large, allowing the company to make plans for its Tri-Fan 600 airplane a reality.
The brain trust behind Denver-based startup, XTI Aircraft, is an impressive roll call. The company, founded in 2009 by former AVX Aircraft CEO David Brody, boasts a wealth of experience in key leadership positions. Former Sikorsky Aircraft President Jeffrey Pinot, Former Cessna President Charles Johnson and Dennis Olcott, the former Chief Engineer for PiperJet and Adam Aircraft, all have prominent places on the AVX company letterhead.
“We fully expect that investors, especially crowdfunders and those with an interest in aviation, will be drawn to the idea of having their own ‘Kitty Hawk’ moment by being part of a truly new aircraft program that will change flight as we know it,” XTI’s crowdfunding pitch implores.
The Kitty Hawk moment referred to is the launch of XTI’s revolutionary Tri-Fan 600 aircraft. Plans call for the six-seat business plane to be the first commercial fixed-wing aircraft to be certified for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). The Tri-Fan 600 is expected to have a range of up to 1,200 miles and a maximum cruise speed of 400 miles per hour, but because of it’s VTOL abilities based on existing and proven technology, the plane will be capable of taking off and landing on a space as small a a helipad.
Engineers tell Reuters that the timeline for launching the Tri-Fan 600 will depend on how quickly AVX is able to meet self-established financing goals.
[Photo: XTI Aircraft via Reuters]
Definately not a jet but a fun toy that if it is ever able to be financed and commercialized and certified could pave the way for private short haul aviation functionschanges.
So now a turboshaft is a "Jet"... ???