FutureFlight
Otto Taps Piston Power and Laminar Flow For Celera Pusher Prop Bizplane
The Celera 500L promises significantly lower carbon emissions and fuel consumption than existing business jets.
Otto Aviation Celera 500L
The design for Otto Aviation's diesel-powered Celera 500L emphasizes fuel efficiency. [Image: Otto Aviation]

Otto Aviation has unveiled the Celera 500L, a six-passenger pusher-prop business aircraft powered by a single 500-hp Red A03 piston engine. The U.S. company claims the unusual design will deliver very competitive fuel consumption and carbon emissions that could be as much as 80 percent less than existing business aircraft and 40 percent lower than current airliners.

To date, the company’s full-scale prototype has completed 31 test flights. Otto said FAA certification is expected in 2023, with service entry to follow in 2025.