“There’s a funny thing about curiosity. It does not stop craving what it doesn’t understand. Like the curiosity of those before us, we will continue to find a better way~ a better way to thrive, to see and most importantly, to reach.”
~XTI Aircraft Company
Lets focus on the innovations that move us beyond the limits of what we have accepted as the norm. Those of us who have a lifetime influenced by flying machines, and the people who bring them to life, are following one group of innovators closely. XTI Aircraft Company is changing the way we use air travel and decreasing the number of miniature alcohol bottles needed to survive the current commercial airline experience. Long range vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTOL). The TRIFAN 600 passenger airplane will actually take off and land like a helicopter ~ virtually anywhere, yet completely vertical. It will maintain a flight speed, range and efficiency of a typical jet. If we had a race, the TRIFAN 600 would probably reach the destination before the competing airliner made its way out of the airport chaos. The potential of this creation to streamline aviation, including for medical and rescue functions, make the fruition of the project exciting and URGENT.
Why Crowdfinancing?
A better question is "Why not?" This is likely the first such aviation crowdfunding project in history. Crowdfinancing is a logical means for a group of pioneers who have never allowed common boundaries to bind them. The StartEngine campaign garnered $4 million in reserved shares after just two weeks. Those shares have increased to nearly $6,700,000 now. This could be an amazing opportunity to invest in a world-changing venture that few could ever finance alone. Former CEOs from the realm of Sikorsky to Cessna have combined cerebral prowess to change air travel and it's no surprise that those who have pioneered the aviation industry, with unlimited vision, have chosen crowdfinancing as a very important part of the finance plan. I am as much in awe about this concept coming to life as I am about the fact that so many of us can own a share of this new technology.
Related Article: Crowdfinancing for Real Estate Investors - Part 2
“We view equity crowdfunding as a creative way to involve everyone as true stakeholders working together to pioneer this all new way to fly. It’s a way to turn all of our supporters into potential stockholders by providing the public a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get in early on something truly revolutionary.” ~David Brody, XTI Founder & Chairman
The Team
XTI Aircraft Company is privately owned and operated. David Brody’s concept and design took tangible form as he recruited a team of some of the best in the aviation industry. Researching this project, and reading the excitement and assuredness in Mr. Pino's email was better than any religious experience that I ever had. This literally changes the future of air travel! A cumulative crackerjack was formed when Brody obtained the support of these members:
- Jeff Pino, XTI Vice Chairman is my personal aviation idol. While CEO of Sikorsky Aircraft company (one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers), he raised the company’s value from $2 Billion to $7 Billion dollars, positioning them well for the acquisition in process with Lockheed Martin for $9 Billion.
- Charlie Johnston, XTI Board Member, is a former President of Cessna Aircraft Company (One of the leading manufacturers of mid-size business jets.)
- Dennis Olcott PHD, Chief Engineer, was former Chief Engineer of Adam Aircraft and Piper Jet Program. You can already recognize the balance and credibility of this team.
We live in an investing generation largely focused on social good and revitalization. Why would we support a luxury, like the TRIFAN 600, that may seem unattainable to the masses? Because luxuries satisfy what we don't often recognize as necessities. It wasn't long ago that most people felt the same about computers and the mere concept of an internet. Now, over 85% US households own computers. Air travel has an effect farther reaching than we may realize. Business, personal, and tourism are merely a portion of the industries to benefit from TRIFAN 600's convenience. Maybe we should install psychological kiosks at each airport to help those who must endure commercial travel until the TRIFAN 600 takes off. Think of the benefits the flexibility will give to organ donation delivery and search and rescue organizations. The lives they save won't see the XTI Aircraft Company invention as a luxury. This is a necessity, and those involved in the beginning will benefit in the future. That's the power of a crowd! We no longer live in a society where each of us has to know all parts to make a concept come to life. Crowd-think, crowd-plan and crowdfund. Would you place limits on your own innovation while using the Jeff Pinos, & Steve Jobs' of the world as models?
Related Article: CNBC Crowdfinance 50 Index: Tracking Crowdfunding's Economic Activity
David Poynter commented September 18, 2015
At first I didn't think I was going to understand the advantage of vertical take off and landing. I was only seeing the commercial air passenger as a possibility. When you mentioned organ donation and search & rescue, well, of course! Another thoughtful presentation, Ms. Perkins. I will be checking out the FAQs. Thank you for another interesting read.
Rosemary Scott commented September 19, 2015
An exciting new time where we can all contribute towards a better future.
Laurie Maarx commented September 19, 2015
Another fascinating article from this excellent author. I love the idea of this plane and crowdfunding to literally get it off the ground.