Otto Aviation to unlock physics of laminar flow with Phantom 3500
June 17, 2025
Otto Aviation’s CEO, Paul Touw, has detailed how his company plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 with the design, certification and production of its clean-sheet business jet, the Phantom 3500.
During a briefing held at Paris Air Show on Tuesday 17 June, Touw explained that Otto’s breakthrough technology for its aircraft builds on the Celera 500 experimental aircraft and is based on unlocking the physics of laminar flow. Studied by NASA for over 60 years, Touw described laminar flow as “the holy grail of aerodynamics”.
First ultra-low drag aircraft to fly at transonic speed
First unveiled in 2023 the Phantom 3500’s ultra-low drag aircraft design leverages laminar flow to achieve a 35% reduction in viscous drag. Touw explained that laminar flow keeps air moving smoothly along the aircraft’s surface, reducing resistance and improving aerodynamic efficiency. “By reducing the drag,” he said, ” we are lowering aircraft systems and weight and in turn exponentially reducing fuel burn and emissions.”
Following wind tunnel testing at Europe’s high-tech European Transonic (ETW) last year, which saw the company conduct “over 30,000 trials, confirming within about 1% that our aircraft performs as advertised,” said Touw.
He also noted that the Phantom 3500, which is expected to enter service in the 2030s, could cut fuel burn by over 60% when compared with competitive aircraft such as the Bombardier Challenger 3500. “On a 1,000nm trip the Phantom would burn 115 gallons of fuel while competitor aircraft would burn 300 gallons” said Touw. The Phantom will also reduce emissions by more than 90 % when combined with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)%.
Capable of flying at 51,000 ft and therefore avoiding jet streams, the aircraft will also reduce contrails. It will have a maximum range of 3,500nm and a maximum speed of 600+mph.
The mid-sized jet will feature a spacious 6.5 feet high cabin, while high-definition Super Natural Vision digital windows will replace traditional porthole-style windows along the fuselage, maintaining the aircraft’s streamlined design.
Powered by Williams International FJ44 engines, Touw highlighted that the decision to use already-certified engines would help to ease the certification process.”
First test flight aimed for 2027
While the first test flight is planned to take place by early 2027, Touw aims to achieve certification in 2030 with around 1600 of the aircraft being produced between 2030 and 2040. Touw revealed that “around a third of that production is already accounted for and we hope to be making announcements on that in September.”
He anticipates an $18m price tag for the aircraft.
Earlier this week Otto also announced that it is relocating its headquarters from Texas to Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, where it will also establish a production facility. The move is supported by a $515 million incentive package from Florida state.
