Former Boeing Engineer Will Help Steer Development Of TriFan Aircraft

Silicon Valley investor and serial entrepreneur Paul Willard has joined the board of XTI Aircraft for a three-year term, effective June 15, 2017.

"Paul spent seven years as a Boeing aerodynamics engineer," said David Brody, founder and Chairman of XTI, "including work on VTOL aircraft. This by itself would be reason enough to invite Paul to join our board.  Yet, he brings so much more, as an investor in XTI, as a visionary investor in other early stage companies, and as co-founder of successful investment funds."

Willard (pictured) commented, "XTI's leadership team and the TriFan technology are impressive, and I appreciate the opportunity to join a project with a veteran team, a disruptive product, and a substantial addressable market," Willard said. "In addition to my personal stake in the company, I hope to make a contribution assisting with our capital raise, and helping to create a solid foundation for XTI's long-term success."

Robert LaBelle, XTI's Chief Executive Officer, added, "Paul has actively managed technology startups in Silicon Valley since 1999.  His combination of skills and experience is very rare and is ideal for XTI as we continue to develop the TriFan 600 and to raise capital for our revolutionary vertical takeoff airplane."

The TriFan is a major breakthrough in aviation and air travel.  The six-seat TriFan 600 will have the speed, range and comfort of a business jet and the ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter.  It will travel at over 300 miles an hour, with a range of over 1,200 miles.  Using three ducted fans, the TriFan lifts off vertically and then its two wing fans rotate forward for a seamless transition to cruise speed and its initial climb.  It will reach 30,000 feet in just ten minutes and cruise to the destination as a highly efficient business aircraft.

On June 19, at the Paris Air Show, XTI announced its first three orders for the TriFan 600 under the company's pre-sales program.  Mr. LaBelle said that the customer is a globally recognized operator who intends to place the airplane into service flying priority passengers and cargo in VIP and Utility missions in multiple challenging environments.  "The market is recognizing the value proposition of our unique and revolutionary airplane and its patented technology," said LaBelle.  "Vertical takeoff combined with long-range, the speed and comfort of a business jet, and our quieter and cleaner state-of-the-art hybrid-electric propulsion system."

(Images provided with XTI Aircraft news release and from file)

FMI: www.xtiaircraft.com