Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Business jet developer Otto Aviation received a nearly $500 million incentive package from the state of Florida to establish a manufacturing facility and headquarters in Jacksonville as it moves forward on its ambitions to bring its Phantom 3500 business jet to market. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the plans on Monday while opening the Florida pavilion at the Paris Air Show.
Based at Jacksonville's Cecil Airport, the plant will occupy nearly a 100-acre parcel and serve as the primary site for final assembly of the Phantom twinjet. Otto is relocating from Fort Worth, Texas, to Jacksonville and will begin operations in Hangar 825, which was built by the U.S. Navy for aircraft fleet operations, as it develops the 850,000-sq-ft manufacturing plant.&nbsp;
In announcing the incentives, the state estimated that the facility would generate 389 high-skilled and high-wage jobs, calling it one of the most significant advanced manufacturing developments in Northeast Florida in recent years.
The package includes more than $430 million in corporate income tax credits and high-impact performance incentive&nbsp;grants, along with a $35 million incentive package approved by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and a $20 million revenue enhancement value grant from the city of Jacksonville.
The incentive package comes as Otto moves forward with plans to assemble and fly the light jet in 2027, with service entry expected in 2030. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the Paris show, Otto Aviation CEO Paul Touw said he anticipates building up to 1,600 Phantom 3500s between 2030 and 2040, with about one-third of production accounted for, including upcoming announcements expected in September.
In addition to the $500 million incentive package, Touw said Otto has raised more than $170 million to date and is expected to close on another round of funding by year-end. “Right now, the aircraft is at a stage where our design is mostly locked down,” he said, noting that the parts for flight-test vehicle one will arrive in Hangar 825 next year in preparation for assembly.
Otto is leveraging laminar-flow aerodynamics and advanced manufacturing techniques to develop an aircraft that will offer about a 50% performance gain versus current light business jets.
On the manufacturing side, Otto is leveraging high-precision manufacturing techniques used for stealth aircraft, including resin transfer molding for the carbon-fiber airframe.&nbsp;“The gross margins on this aircraft are relatively high compared to the competition because it’s cheaper to manufacture,” he said.&nbsp;
Touw called the Phantom 3500 a “trifecta” because it will also be cheaper to operate and maintain. The aircraft is expected to have a 51,000-foot ceiling, 3,500-nm range, and 3,454-foot balanced field length. Laminar-flow technologies are estimated to cut drag by 35% versus existing light business jets.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Otto Aviation Secures $500 Million Package for Florida Business Jet Production Plant

Plans calls for the light jet to fly in 2027

Otto Aviation received an incentive package to establish its manufacturing facility and headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.

Otto Secures $500 Million for Bizjet Production Plant

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Customers can customize the aircraft to accept all kinds of specialized equipment.

Textron Aviation's King Air Aircraft Can be Deployed For Multiple Special Missions

Richard Pedicini

Latin American business aviation fair moves to São Paulo Campo de Marte Airport

Latin American Bizav Show Opens Tuesday at New Venue

Company logged a 2.3:1 book-to-bill in second quarter

Bombardier Deliveries Dip, Poised for Second-half Jump

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nexus One eVTOL aircrarft's first flight will not take place this year

Textron eAviation Confirms Slowdown in Nexus eVTOL Program

Charles Alcock

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

A static display of aircraft will return for the 2026 show

EBACE Show to Alternate Between Geneva and Other Cities

Company claims orders have topped 1,000 airplanes valued at more than $700 million

Bye Aerospace Prioritizes eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Over eFlyer 800

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Paris Air Show 2025

More In Aircraft

Textron Aviation's King Air Aircraft Can be Deployed For Multiple Special Missions

Customers can customize the aircraft to accept all kinds of specialized equipment.

Latin American Bizav Show Opens Tuesday at New Venue

Latin American business aviation fair moves to São Paulo Campo de Marte Airport

Bombardier Deliveries Dip, Poised for Second-half Jump

Company logged a 2.3:1 book-to-bill in second quarter

Textron eAviation Confirms Slowdown in Nexus eVTOL Program

Nexus One eVTOL aircrarft's first flight will not take place this year

EBACE Show to Alternate Between Geneva and Other Cities

A static display of aircraft will return for the 2026 show

Bye Aerospace Prioritizes eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Over eFlyer 800

Company claims orders have topped 1,000 airplanes valued at more than $700 million

What Shape Will the Next Generation of Airliners Take?

Part 3 of a series from new AIN Media Group title Leeham News and Analysis

China's AutoFlight Delivers First CarryAll eVTOL Freighter

Civil Aviation Administration of China granted an airworthiness certificate on July 21

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN