Otto Aviation to build business jet in Florida
Texas-based Otto Aviation is set to move its operations to Florida, taking advantage of state incentives as it works to develop its Phantom 3500 business aircraft.
Otto Aviation plans to manufacture the Phantom 3500 at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, according to an announcement made Monday at the International Paris Air Show by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The company will invest about $430m and move its headquarters to the city on the Atlantic coast of north-east Florida.
“I’m pleased to welcome Otto Aviation to Jacksonville. This is a win for Florida and a testament to the kind of innovation we’re attracting,” said DeSantis. “Our infrastructure and talent are primed for the next generation of aerospace manufacturing, and this project is another indicator that Florida will be home to the future of flight.”
Otto’s plan is to establish initial operations in an available hangar, then build a new plant to manufacture the Phantom 3500 on land at the airfield. The firm plans to begin flight tests by early 2027, aiming to enter service in 2030.
With that 2030 timeframe in mind, Otto Aviation CEO Paul Touw said he believed the company can achieve net-zero carbon emissions with its Phantom 3500 aircraft when it enters service around 2030.
With an AI-supported clean-sheet design, transonic super-laminar flow architecture and other aerodynamic qualities, the Phantom 3500 burns 60% less fuel than similar-sized jets and reduces emissions by 90% when combined with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), says the company.
“The Phantom 3500 is the result of relentless innovation and bold thinking,” said Touw. “By achieving carbon neutrality 20 years ahead of the 2050 target, we’re not just meeting expectations—Otto is redefining what’s possible in aviation. It’s a transformative step toward a future where cutting-edge technology and sustainability go hand in hand.”
The Phantom 3500 will provide space for nine passengers with a cabin height of 6.5ft (1.98m). In place of traditional porthole-style windows along the fuselage, the Phantom 3500 includes high-definition digital displays Otto calls “Super Natural Vision”, which provide passengers with window-like views but increases efficiency thanks to the streamlined design.
At a glance: Phantom 3500 specs
Mean take off weight: 19,000lbs (8,618kg)
Basic empty weight: 11,700lbs (5,307kg)
Cabin volume: 800 cubic feet
Cabin height: 6’5” (1.98m)
Cabin length: 23 feet (7m)
Cabin width: 7’6” (2.3m)
Max passengers: 9
Max speed: 600+ mph (965kph)
Max range: 3,500 NM
NBAA 4 passenger range: 3,200 NM
Cruise altitude: 51,000 feet (15,500m)
Balance field landing: < 3,500 feet (1,066m)
