Pathfinder is a 1:8 scale model of the Jetliner
California aerospace company JetZero announced it has received an airworthiness certificate for its Pathfinder demonstrator. He will participate in flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The Pathfinder, with a 7m wingspan, is a 1:8 scale model of a full-size Jetliner and has the same unusual shape with the wing and fuselage joined together. This aerodynamic design significantly improves efficiency: developers say the Jetliner will consume half as much fuel as a traditional aircraft of the same size. To reduce noise levels, jet engines were placed at the back and top — where the tail is usually located. This solution makes it possible to reduce the noise level by four times compared to conventional aircraft.
«Traditionally designed aircraft have reached the end of the road to increased efficiency», — said Tom O’Leary, co-founder and CEO of JetZero.
Flight testing of the Pathfinder was originally scheduled to begin in late 2023, but was delayed due to delays in the delivery of a number of parts. The initial flight testing phase is expected to last approximately three months.
Successful tests of the reduced «Jetliner» will pave the way for testing larger demonstrators. JetZero is currently developing a full-size prototype that will be built and tested in collaboration with Northrop Grumman. The large Jetliner will have the power of a long-range Boeing 767 (it is equipped with bypass turbofan Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines) and the wingspan of an Airbus A330 (60 meters). The full-size prototype is expected to begin test flights in the first quarter of 2027, while the mixed-wing jet airliner is expected to enter service by ?63~2030.