TriFan 600
The XTI TriFan 600, a conceptual three-rotor vertical takeoff and landing airplane now in the early developmental stage, would be easy to dismiss as just another fantasy of well-intentioned aviation dreamers. Until you realize who those dreamers are.
The new XTI Aircraft based in Denver is headed by a veteran leadership team that includes Jeff Pino, former president of Sikorsky Aircraft, Charlie Johnson, former president of Cessna Aircraft, Dennis Olcott, former chief engineer at Piper and Adam Aircraft, and David Brody, the founder of XTI who is also responsible for another aviation firm, would-be helicopter maker AVX Aircraft.
Maybe the XTI TriFan 600 will never emerge beyond the vaporware stage, but it's an undeniably intriguing concept. Powered by two turboshaft engines driving its three rotating ducted fans, the TriFan 600 would carry five passengers plus a pilot, cruise at around 340 knots and have a range of 800 to 1,200 nm.
XTI is taking advantage of new Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow it to raise up to $50 million in seed money through crowdfunding at startengine.com.
Get exclusive online content like this delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our free enewsletter.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest FLYING stories delivered directly to your inbox