Press Release
Issued by XTI Aircraft Company.
October 21, 2019
XTI Aircraft Company has announced that veteran industry executive Charlie Johnson has joined XTI as its chief operating officer, effective October 20. He joins XTI after four years as a member of XTI's board of directors and also was the company's interim CEO during 2016.
“We couldn't be more pleased to have Charlie rejoin the executive team,” said Robert LaBelle, XTI's chief executive officer. “Charlie has already made significant contributions to the company through his active role as a director,” LaBelle said. “This is excellent timing for him to take over as COO and help bring the revolutionary TriFan 600 vertical takeoff airplane to the business aircraft market.”
"I'm looking forward to my broader participation and expanding committment with XTI,” Johnson said. “The Tri-Fan, as a long-range vertical takeoff and business aircraft, definitely will play a major role in what truely represents the future of flight. We are on a strong trajectory and accelerating path to reach our goals.”
Shortly after XTI's formation, Johnson joined XTI as the third member of the company's board of directors. He stepped into the CEO role on an interim basis during 2016. Johnson will retain his position as a board member as he assumes the COO role.
“As the former president and COO of Cessna Aircraft and as a member of The Living Legends of Aviation and The Colorado and Kansas Aviation Halls of Fame Charlie is truly a legend in the business,” said XTI founder and chairman, David Brody. “We're looking forward to his taking on this important role in the company, as well as his continuing contributions and guidance as a board member.”
On August 5, 2019, XTI issued an update on its operations. “We conducted a series of successful initial hover tests earlier this year, we announced a major collaboration with GE Aviation at Oshkosh in July of this year, and we've received 81 orders for the airplane so far,” said LaBelle in that announcement. “That represents over a half billion dollars in gross revenues upon delivery.”
The TriFan is a major breakthrough in aviation and air travel. The six-seat TriFan 600 will have the speed, range and comfort of a luxury business aircraft and the ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. It will travel at 345 miles an hour, with a range of up to 1,400 miles. Using three ducted fans, the TriFan lifts off vertically. Its two wing fans then rotate forward for a seamless transition to cruise speed and its initial climb. It will reach 30,000 feet in just ten minutes and cruise to the destination as a highly efficient business aircraft.
“The market continues to recognise the value proposition of our unique and revolutionary airplane and its patented technology,” said LaBelle. “Vertical takeoff combined with long-range, the speed and comfort of a business aircraft, and our quieter and cleaner state-of-the-art hybrid-electric propulsion system.”
