This is the Phantom 3500, a commercial aircraft without windows that will fly for the first time in 2027.
With the launch of the first windowless aircraft, the Phantom 3500, the commercial aviation industry is drastically changing. This cutting-edge, incredibly effective commercial passenger jet was created by Otto Aerospace and has a streamlined, teardrop-shaped airframe. To guarantee better performance, composite materials will also be used in the construction of its wings, tail, and fuselage.
According to Auto Aerospace, the Phantom 3500 will transform the general aviation industry and be prepared to compete in the mid-size aircraft market by providing enhanced performance that permits trips to and from more places. What features, though, will it have?
For increased flying economy at its highest altitude, the Phantom 3500 will be propelled by two Williams FJ44 turbofan engines. Its cabin is two meters high and two meters long, with a volume of 22.65 cubic meters—much more than that of traditional light jetliners. The aircraft has a teardrop-shaped aerodynamic body that is designed for laminar airflow, a T-tail, and four seats.
With the exception of the required emergency escape, the cabin's lack of windows sets it apart from other commercial aircraft. Consequently, passengers will be able to view the outside world via external cameras displaying images on large 4K screens mounted on the cabin walls and ceiling.
However, what materials will be used to make the Phantom 3500? In a statement, Auto Aerospace clarified that the Toray 1100 method, which is more robust than certain traditional composite materials, will be used to create the composite airframe. Additionally, it will be manufactured using a technology known as resin transfer molding, which entails putting pre-saturated fibers in a mold, injecting resin into vacuum-sealed components, and then heat-curing them. After production, "the fuselage components will be bonded internally to maintain their smooth exterior surface."
The preliminary design review is the next phase, and it is set for January of this year. In addition, Auto Aerospace will place an order for every component required to finish the critical pre-flight design review, which is scheduled for 2027.
In the aforementioned press announcement, Auto Aerospace CEO Paul Too said that the aircraft will be assembled for its first flight next year since it will be a "high-quality, production-grade vehicle." Although they anticipate receiving certification by 2030, he continued, they will construct four airplanes for flying testing.