PARIS, June 17, 2025 — Otto Aviation, a pioneering force in sustainable aviation, announced today it has selected the FJ44-4 QPM turbofan engine from Williams International as the powerplant for its revolutionary Phantom 3500 aircraft, marking a major milestone in the path toward first flight and FAA certification.
This engine selection reinforces Otto Aviation’s commitment to delivering a sustainable, high-performance, and cost-efficient aircraft designed to redefine private air travel. The Phantom 3500 is a lightweight, low-drag aircraft that burns 60 percent less fuel than similar-sized jets and reduces emissions by 90 percent when combined with sustainable aviation fuel.
“The FJ44-4 QPM aligns perfectly with the Phantom 3500’s mission,” said Scott Drennan, COO of Otto Aviation. “Its combination of fuel efficiency, thrust performance, and sustainable design will enable us to deliver on our promise of long-range capability with dramatically reduced environmental impact.”
Engineered for a New Era of Private Aviation
The FJ44-4 QPM brings a suite of benefits that match the Phantom 3500’s forward-thinking design and performance targets:
- 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility: Supporting Otto Aviation’s drive toward decarbonizing flight.
- High Performance and Efficiency: This engine delivers a compelling combination of high thrust-to-weight ratio, fuel efficiency, and reduced noise emissions, in alignment with the Phantom 3500’s advanced aerodynamic design.
- Quiet Power Mode Advantage: The QPM variant integrates auxiliary power unit (APU) functionality, allowing for independent ground operations and streamlined support infrastructure.
- Extended Range and Reliability: The engine enables the Phantom 3500’s targeted 3,500 nautical mile range, with proven reliability and low lifecycle operating costs.
“Williams International is proud to partner with Otto Aviation on this groundbreaking program,” said John Sordyl, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience at Williams International. “The FJ44-4 QPM was designed to meet the next generation of aviation requirements, and the Phantom 3500 is an ideal platform to showcase its capabilities.”
Shared Vision for Innovation and Sustainability
Built upon the proven FJ44 engine family, the FJ44-4 QPM represents the latest in propulsion innovation. The selection reflects the shared vision between Otto Aviation and Williams to push the boundaries of private aviation through bold design, sustainable technologies, and operational efficiency.
With this selection, Otto Aviation continues to advance toward its upcoming flight test campaign and FAA certification milestones for the Phantom 3500. The company plans to begin flight tests in early 2027 and aims to achieve certification and enter service in 2030.
About Otto
Otto Aviation is an advanced aerospace company committed to transforming private and regional aviation through innovative aircraft design. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Otto is developing the Phantom 3500, a new, clean-sheet design aircraft that establishes – and leads – a new category in highly efficient, affordable, and sustainable business jet aviation.
About Williams International
Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, Williams International is the world leader in the design, manufacturing and support of gas turbine engines. In addition to its world class reputation for customer support, Williams is also well known for establishing the most highly integrated and automated manufacturing facilities in the world to support high quality, high volume production and on schedule delivery of its rapidly growing family of commercial and military products. Ingot and other raw materials enter one end of these facilities and finished engines exit the other. For more information about the company, its products, and support, please visit www.williams-int.com.