Otto Aviation recently unveiled the Celera 500L, its newest fuel-efficient passenger aircraft. The full-scale prototype has already had 31 successful flight tests and will soon be entering the private air travel market. The aircraft has a fuel economy of 18 to 25 miles per gallon while having an impressive cruise speed of 450 miles per hour and a range of 4,500 miles. Its design features laminar flow over the fuselage, wings and tail surfaces to reduce drag and maximize fuel efficiency.
However, the most notable feature of the Celera 500L has to be its capability to reduce carbon emissions by over 80 percent compared to a typical business aircraft, and by 40 percent compared to the latest commercial aircraft. This means the Celera 500L has already surpassed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) target emissions standards, which state that aircrafts developed after 2031 must reduce their emissions by up to 30 percent. Not only does this make the plane environmentally friendly, but it also dramatically reduces its costs, making it possible for the aircraft to make direct flights to over 5,000 regional airports.
“Our goal was to create a private aircraft that would allow for direct flights between any city pair in the U.S. at speeds and cost comparable to commercial air travel,” said William Otto Sr. of Otto Aviation. “In many cases, individuals and families will be able to charter the Celera 500L at prices comparable to commercial airfares, but with the added convenience of private aviation. We believe when the price of private air travel is competitive with commercial air travel, an enormous market opportunity will result.”
The operating cost is estimated at $328 per hour, which is significantly cheaper compared to a commercial jet’s average cost of $2,100 per hour.
The Celera 500L can accommodate up to six passengers and has a spacious cabin height of 6 feet 2 inches. Besides having access to 5,000 regional airports, the aircraft also offers direct service between any city pair in the continental United States.
According to Otto Aviation’s project time line, the company is expecting to secure FAA certification and locate a site for its new manufacturing facility in 2021.
For more information, visit Otto Aviation’s website at http://www.ottoaviation.com/.
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