CELERA– PROGRESS

The unusual looking Celera 500L has completed initial flight testing of 51 hours across 55 successful flights.

THE CELERA IS DESIGNED to merge ‘the convenience of private air transportation but at a significantly lower cost and a dramatically reduced carbon footprint,’ according to its website. Citing expected fuel economy of 18-25 miles per gallon against a private jet’s equivalent three mpg and hourly operating cost under $330 an hour, Otto sees their plane as the future of green intercontinental private travel. With a 4,500 nm range, seating for six, first-class cabin accommodations and a maximum cruise over 460 mph at 50,000 feet, the Celera is shaping up to be a powerful contender if it can meet its targets.

Phase 1 testing sought to compare the prototype against industry standards and refine the design of the Celera with real-world data. Throughout a few test flights, the team visualised the laminar flow state with a precision infrared camera mounted on a chase aircraft, quantifying extensive laminar flow capability over all external surfaces.

Working with Cal Poly’s Boundary Layer Data System, Otto was able to go further than regular friction analysis, quantifying the exact friction state of the aircraft to customise a series of tailored boundary layer rakes and find the cumulative effect of laminar friction in flight. The optimisations are important to reach their milestones, reaching similar performance figures to light jets using a liquid cooled, V12 with 550 horsepower.

The Celera claims drag about 59% less than similar sized, conventional aircraft and a 22:1 glide ratio.

The aircraft’s final Phase 1 test flight was flown entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, furthering the brand’s goal of sustainable but commercially viable business aircraft. Further development requires funding still to be raised.