XTI Aerospace has outlined key product and engineering milestones for 2025 as it advances the development of its TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft. The company plans to release new subscale working models and progress through major certification stages, leading to the reopening of pre-sales later this year.

The company’s next subscale prototype, called Sparrow, is a 1:15 scale unmanned model designed to test transitional flight dynamics. A follow-up model, named Kestrel, will evaluate aerodynamics and flight controls before aircraft pre-sales resume.

XTI’s engineering focus includes optimising the fuel system, refining engine air intake and exhaust, conducting airflow studies and creating a flight deck mockup to improve ergonomics and pilot controls. The company will also update its structural model and submit a type certification application to the FAA.

“While many of the milestones we achieve are behind the scenes, the Sparrow model and its successors will provide tangible evidence of the TriFan 600’s progress as we move closer to its commercial debut,” says Dave Ambrose, VP engineering.

FAA certification efforts will parallel XTI’s development process, moving through preliminary and critical design reviews before progressing to first flight and final approval.

“XTI Aerospace is working to redefine air travel through efficient point-to-point solutions,” says chairman and CEO Scott Pomeroy. “It is exciting to see our product and engineering efforts steadily moving to the point where we can begin to shape the regional air travel market.”