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Saturday, February 8, 2025

XTI Aircraft TriFan 600

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TriFan 600
XTI Aircraft Company
Englewood, Colorado, USA
www.xtiaircraft.com

XTI Aircraft’s vision is to transform business aviation for a more efficient and sustainable future. The TriFan 600 will combine the performance of a fixed-wing business aircraft with the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability of a helicopter, delivering the convenience of point-to-point travel. XTI estimates that the TriFan will have a speed up to 345 mph and a VTOL range of 700 miles – both more than twice that of most civilian helicopters similar in size to the TriFan — thus creating a new “vertical lift crossover airplane” (VLCA) category.

XTI is targeting the existing turbine business aircraft and rotorcraft markets, and the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. The TriFan 600 is specifically differentiated from the hundreds of eVTOL (electric VTOL) aircraft under development by its significantly greater comfort, range, and speed. The fixed-wing airplane accommodates a pilot and up to six passengers and is expected to conduct VTOL operations using existing infrastructure including over 5,000 existing helipads in the U.S. alone, as well as driveways, back yards, job sites, private landing pads, remote locations — wherever it’s safe and legal. Additionally, by rotating its front fans to intermediate or fully forward positions, it can use any runway available to increase payload and range. The aircraft is designed to use all three ducted fans for VTOL operations, then transition to forward flight using only the front fans.

In 2019, the Company assembled and began ground tests and hover tests with its 65% scale demonstrator (Proof of Concept or POC) at Placerville Airport, California (KPVF). The first hover tests took place on May 2, 2019, followed by multiple successful controlled hovers at KPVF. Based on test data, modifications were made to the proof-of-concept vehicle, and it was then disassembled and transported to the Northrop Grumman private airport site (07UT) near Howell, Utah in December 2019.Testing resumed after reassembly in early 2020, but further testing was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the decision was made to focus on XTI’s full-scale piloted prototype development instead.

XTI TriFan 600 proof-of-concept

XTI TriFan 600 proof-of-concept

The longer-range missions envisioned for the TriFan 600 are not possible with batteries alone. Therefore, in its quest for sustainable aviation, XTI researched hybrid-electric propulsion, using one turboshaft engine and battery packs, and later with hydrogen fuel cells. However, the Company concluded that given uncertainties around the technical maturity of novel propulsion systems, an evolving regulatory environment, and the need to develop an entirely new battery/hydrogen charging infrastructure network, it would de-risk the program by first seeking FAA certification with two certified turboshaft engines capable of operating on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This is expected to result in an 80% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions (based upon International Air Transport Association estimates) and is expected to enable XTI to immediately deploy the TriFan 600 worldwide upon entry into service using existing infrastructure. As alternative power technology matures and becomes commercially viable, regulations are clearly defined, and charging infrastructure developed, the Company intends to incorporate hybrid-electric and eventually all-electric propulsion in the TriFan 600.

On August 4, 2022, XTI Aircraft wrote an article titled, “Engineering Update – August 2022” highlighting several design refinements. Some of the design changes include the forward rotating fans being mounted to the fuselage, instead of the previous fan-in-wing mounted design. The rear fan is fixed and is used only for VTOL operations.

TriFan 600 concept design with technical overview (August 2022)

TriFan 600 concept design with technical overview (August 2022)

TriFan 600 concept design on heliport (August 2022)

TriFan 600 concept design on heliport (August 2022)

TriFan 600 business, commuter and air medical interiors (August 2022)

TriFan 600 business, commuter and air medical interiors (August 2022)

Specifications:

  • Aircraft type: Twin-turboshaft passenger VTOL airplane, with plans to convert to hybrid-electric and finally all-electric propulsion as technologies mature and charging infrastructure is developed.
  • Capacity: Seating configurations for 6 or 7 people (including pilot)
  • Maximum cruise speed: 345 mph (555 km/h)
  • Maximum cruise altitude: 25,000 ft (7620 meters)
  • VTOL maximum range: 700 mi (1,126 km) (vertical takeoff and vertical landing)
  • Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) range: 850 mi (1,360 km)
  • Propellers: 3 ducted fans
  • Power source: Two turbine engines (as technology matures, aircraft can be outfitted with hydrogen fuel cells or batteries).
  • Wings: High main wing with winglets
  • Tail: High cruciform tail
  • Landing gear: Retractable landing gear
  • Safety features: The aircraft can land conventionally on a runway or improved or grass surface, or vertically on any unobstructed solid ground in the event of an emergency. It will be certified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations in inclement weather, including known icing. It will also be equipped with advanced safety features such as sophisticated “fly-by-wire” controls for the ducted fans.

Note:

  • The XTI TriFan 600 is under development. All information and specifications are estimates and are subject to change and FAA certification. All images of the TriFan 600 are computer-generated simulations.

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