Groundbreaking "Blended Wing" Plane Cleared To Fly In California

A significant breakthrough in aircraft design is on the horizon as a new plane featuring a revolutionary wing and shape has been approved for flight in California, according to Jacopo Prisco's report for CNN.

The "blended wing body" design of JetZero's Pathfinder resembles the "flying wing" utilized by military aircraft like the B-2 bomber, but with increased volume in the middle section. I Image: U.S. Air Force

At the end of last month, Long Beach-based JetZero announced that its 1:8 scale "blended wing body" demonstrator plane, named Pathfinder, has obtained an FAA Airworthiness certificate, with test flights imminent.

The "blended wing body" design resembles the "flying wing" utilized by military aircraft like the B-2 bomber, but with increased volume in the middle section.

Both Boeing and Airbus are exploring this concept, and JetZero's recent milestone brings it closer to its ambitious goal of introducing a blended wing aircraft into service as early as 2030.

"We strongly advocate for a path to zero emissions in large jets, and the blended wing airframe can deliver a 50% reduction in fuel burn and emissions," said Tom O'Leary, co-founder and CEO of JetZero, in an interview with CNN in August 2023.

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