Otto Aviation is a new entrant in the private jet manufacturing industry.
Its debut entry, the Phantom 3500, is expected to have its first flight in 2027.
It is scheduled to enter commercial service in 2030.
The history of Otto Aerospace can be traced back to the late 2000s, when Bill Otto established the company in 2008. Otto had previously worked as a scientist and engineer at various aerospace organizations. During his career, Otto worked frequently on air vehicles with the concept of laminar flow, which is a smooth and orderly type of airflow that creates less drag, improves fuel efficiency, and can increase the speed and range of the vehicle.
Through the late 2000s and early 2010s, Otto Aerospace operated in “stealth mode”, flying various prototypes. However, in 2015, the company began construction of a full-scale prototype aircraft called the Celera 500L. This unique aircraft featured a teardrop-shaped fuselage, a pusher propeller configuration, and extensive laminar-flow surfaces.
The prototype Celera 500L flew for the first time in 2018, looking to achieve jet-like cruise speed, extremely long range, and low operating costs. The late 2010s involved the aircraft undergoing formal aerodynamic and systems testing.
In August 2020, Otto Aerospace officially unveiled the Celera 500L to the public after over 30 test flights. This unconventional aircraft garnered major attention from aviation enthusiasts due to its unique configuration.
In the early 2000s, a new leadership and investor group stepped in, including Paul Touw, the founder of Xojet, and Dennis Muilenburg, former Boeing CEO. By 2025, Otto Aerospace had shifted focus to a new aircraft, unveiling the Phantom 3500. This midsize business jet intends to utilize laminar-flow lessons learned from the Celera 500L program.
Additionally, the company also received a launch order from Flexjet for 300 Phantom 3500s, one of the largest firm orders ever placed with a private jet manufacturer. Otto Aerospace also recently announced the decision to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing operations to Cecil Airport (VQQ) in Jacksonville, Florida.
Currently, Otto Aerospace is only working to certify a single aircraft, the Phantom 3500. This aircraft has the following specifications:
| Aircraft Model | Entry into Service | Aircraft Class | Engines | Capacity | Range |
| Phantom 3500 | 2030 (est.) | Super-midsize | Williams FJ44 | TBA passengers | 3,500 nautical miles |
The only other aircraft that Otto Aerospace has developed was the experimental prototype known as the Celera 500L. This aircraft has successfully completed over 50 test flights since its introduction in 2018. A RED A03 diesel engine powers this aircraft and can reach a cruise speed of 400 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles.
Currently, Otto Aerospace is a privately held aerospace startup.
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Manufacturing Locations | – Fort Worth, Texas
– Jacksonville, Florida |
| Company Type | Private Corporation |
| Approximate Employees | 150 (2025) |
| 2025 Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2025 Net Income | Not publicly disclosed |
Otto Aerospace has not yet introduced a certified aircraft. However, the company received a firm order for 300 Phantom 3500s from Flexjet in 2025.
