Futuristic jet that could replace faulty Boeing fleet by 2030: 'JetZero' ... trends now
A futuristic-looking jet with a 'blended wing body' could soon replace the problematic Boeing fleet when it takes flight in 2030.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently greenlit test flights of the Pathfinder, which seats 250 passengers inside the aircraft modeled after the US Air Force's B-2 Stealth Bomber.
The craft is expected to have a range of 5,754 miles on a single tank of fuel - compared to typical commercial airlines that fly up to 4,000 miles.
JetZero aims to be the 'SpaceX of aviation' by reducing its fuel use and emissions by 50 percent compared to other airlines.
JetZero received FAA approval to start test-flying its Pathfinder prototype that is much smaller than what is planned for the commercial jet
The craft is expected to have a range of 5,754 miles on a single tank of fuel - compared to typical commercial airlines that fly up to 4,000 miles
A majority of US airlines employ Boeing to provide airplanes for travelers, but the company has experienced many problems in the last year that has Americans seeking alternatives - and that is where Pathfinder may come in.
The FAA certificate approval JetZero received deems the plans safe enough to start building a full-size Pathfinder model and begin test-flying the aircraft.
The company announced the achievement last week, noting it was the prototype that can now start experimental flights.
'We're happy to report that Pathfinder, our 23-ft.-wingspan, 12.5%-scale version of our full size demonstrator, now possesses an FAA Airworthiness Certificate,' JetZero shared on LinkedIn.
The accomplishment was made possible by a $235 million investment from the US Air Force last year to help JetZero build a commercial-sized Pathfinder by 2027.
JetZero's Pathfinder was modeled after the US military's B-2 Spirit bomber (pictured)
Pathfinder has a narrower wing span and no tail, which decreases the amount of drag and makes it more light-weight than other commercial planes
While the current prototype is much smaller, the final version will likely look identical - featuring the futuristic-looking blended wing body (BWB).
BWB, a favorite among the US military, means there is no clear dividing line between the wings and the main body of the craft.
The US Air Force has adopted the design for its aerodynamic capabilities.
But, unlike the B-2 Bomber, the Pathfinder has a larger main body and can reach higher altitudes with less fuel.
JetZero also extended the commercial jet's wings and eliminated the tail of standard planes to create a lighter-weight aircraft and reduce the amount of drag.
'If you think about a 'tube and wing,' it separates the loads — you have the pressurization load on the tube, and the bending loads on the wings,' Tom O'Leary, co-founder and CEO of JetZero told CNN last year.
'But a blended wing essentially blends those together. Only now can we do that
