FutureFlight
Jetoptera Touts Fluidic Propulsion System as Quieter, More Efficient Alternative to Electric Power
The company's own aircraft prototype features a distinctive box-wing design combined with a canard that has already been evaluated in a wind tunnel.
Jetoptera J-4000
Jetoptera has incorporated its patented Fluidic Propulsion System into a box-wing configuration for its planned eVTOL aircraft, which also features a canard. (Image: Jetoptera)

Jetoptera believes the moment has arrived for its patented Fluidic Propulsion System (FPS) as an alternative to existing multi-rotor and/or propeller-driven electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for new eVTOL and eSTOL aircraft designs. Having worked on the technology since 2015, the U.S.-based start-up says its current technology demonstrator will be able to power aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 10,000 pounds, and potentially more.

The FPS is based on a turbine that powers a turbo-compressor with the thrust output being augmented by thrusters. On its eye-catching aircraft demonstrator, Jetoptera has integrated these thrusters into a box-wing design combined with a canard, which it has tested in a wind tunnel, and has also used FPS for powered flight on a glider.

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