The shape of things to come
Celera 500L. Credit: Otto Aviation.
Year over year demand for private air travel was already on the rise when Covid-19 struck this past spring. The air charter segment of the industry saw an immediate spike as new customers entered the market looking for ways to physically distance when traveling. Given the average price-point for a private flight we recognize that chartering a plane is still not for everyone. Simply put, the economics inhibit a quantum leap in users. On August 28th, 2020, Otto Aviation unveiled the most radical new private aircraft design in decades, the bullet-shaped Celera 500L, with plans to grow the market exponentially.
Travel privately for the cost of commercial? A Game Changer.
The manufacturer of the Celera 500L claims that people will be able to travel privately at costs competitive to full-priced, main cabin commercial airfare. This screams “game changer”- A lofty goal given where we are today. Otto Aviation states that the Celera 500L has made 31 successful test flights to date, with aerodynamic efficiency proven last year. The certification process is yet to come.
The numbers tell the story.
The Celera 500L promises to surpass many of the economic and performance characteristics of light, midsize and even large cabin private aircraft on the market today.
Hourly operating costs more than 80% lower than a comparable light jet
Cruising speeds similar to today’s midsize jets (460 mph+)
Range similar to a heavy jet, giving it the ability to at least fly coast to coast
Cabin height similar to a heavy jet at over 6’, 2”
Ability to carry 6 adult passengers
Ability to access airports with runways just under 3,500 feet in length, similar to a turboprop
30% margin to FAA* and ICAO* emissions targets for aircraft entering service on or after 2031
Acquisition costs similar to a very light or light jet
*FAA - The US Federal Aviation Administration
*ICAO- The International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN body.
The production version will have windows. Credit: Otto Aviation.
Credit: Otto Aviation.
Lower operating costs to drive higher demand
The Celera 500L’s dramatically lower operating cost caught our attention. So, how will they do it? The answer lies in the aircraft’s unique design through maximum use of what is called laminar flow. Basically, the bullet-like shape of this aircraft naturally permits smooth airflow across exterior surfaces. This shape reduces drag (generally speaking, the aerodynamic force that opposes forward motion), reduces the thrust needed to sustain higher speeds in level flight, and in turn extends the range of the aircraft.
While not turbine-powered, manufacturer Otto Aviation claims that the new engine on its Celera 500L has been designed to be highly reliable, claiming that it “effectively operates as two 6-cylinder engines, allowing for continued power and operation of all critical systems under numerous failure scenarios.” And according to Otto, the Celera 500L will be able to glide for 125 miles at 30,000 feet. Rigorous testing is already underway to prove these technologies and overall performance.
Cabin Environment
The design of the Celera 500L offers a unique cabin experience for something of this size. No other comparable private aircraft currently features a fully stand-up cabin.
Interior of the Celera 500L. Credit: Otto Aviation
Credit: Otto Aviation.
What’s next?
Plans are in the works for a model 20% larger than the 500L, to be called the 1000L, which could carry up to 10 passengers. And as battery technology becomes viable, hybrid and electric propulsion can further improve the efficiency of the Celera 500L airframe, according to the manufacturer.
Undoubtedly this new aircraft has caught the attention of existing business aircraft manufacturers. If the incumbents concur that we have entered a new age in aircraft design, the next few years could be interesting.
Expect the Celera 500L to enter service as soon as 2025.