XTI’s TriFan 600 recently flew as a TriFan 665, for the 65-percent test concept vehicle. There are good reasons for a first flight on this reduced scale, including being able to use smaller motors and batteries, less material, and possibly simplified systems. On May 8, 2019, XTI Aircraft announced that they had successfully completed the first test flights of its 65% scale prototype of the TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft: The 2/3 concept machine, built on the local Experimental Aircraft Association’s turf, elicits some wonder because none of the chapter’s recent newsletters or Facebook posts mentioned that this project was underway. Having worked in a design/build architectural-engineering firm, your editor knows all too well what the phrase “confidential client” means. Chapter 512, knowing the TriFan was on the field, held that confidentiality well. Only XTI itself made any public pronouncements about the project. According to Transport UP, “During testing early this month, the 65% scale prototype of the TriFan 600 completed multiple takeoffs, hover, …
Following More Money
With Uber backing several potential urban flyers, other investors are moving to invest in longer-range craft with smaller, but more exclusive markets. Zunum and JetSuite Sign a Sweet Deal With funding from Boeing’s Horizon X and Jet Blue Technology Ventures, and Washington State’s Clean Energy Fund, Zunum Aero’s initial batch of hybrid electric aircraft will fly in the livery of JetSuite, a private aviation company that’s a partner of JetBlue Airways. JetSuite’s current offerings include aircraft, “Ranging from the four-passenger Embraer Phenom 100s to the large-cabin, 13-passenger Legacy 650 to our JetSuiteX edition, 30-seat Embraer 135s, the JetSuite fleet offers our clients a variety of options for their aviation needs.” https://vimeo.com/270392646 Members and customers can find scheduled flights within JetSuiteX’s California and Arizona operating range. Prices are similar to business class accommodations on Southwest or Alaska airlines. It will be interesting to see if lower operating costs for Zunum’s regional hybrids pencil out in customer’s favor. For example, Zunum says, ”A …