XTI Aerospace, Inc., a pioneer in next-generation xVTOL and powered-lift aircraft, today announced the successful completion of initial flight operations for its Sparrow and Kestrel subscale aircraft programs. These achievements represent important advancements in XTI's disciplined, milestone-driven roadmap toward building its full-scale, piloted TriFan 600 demonstrator.

Progress That Reduces Risk and Builds Value

Over the past six months, XTI conducted a series of flight tests with its two high-fidelity, subscale prototypes code-named Sparrow and Kestrel.

Operations validated critical aerodynamic performance, flight control logic and stability across a range of mission profiles.

Results de-risk future development stages, accelerating the company's ability to advance the TriFan 600 program on schedule and within its disciplined capital plan.

Overview of the Subscale / Demonstrator Program and Sequence

- Sparrow – (approximately 1:15 scale, open blade) – Q2 2025

- Kestrel – (approximately 1:12 scale, ducted fans) – Q3 2025

- TriHawk – (approximately 1:8 scale) – Q4 2025

- Piloted Full-scale Demonstrator – 2027

A Strategy of Execution and Transparency

"Our subscale aircraft program develops smaller versions of our anticipated TriFan 600 regional vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to test new technologies and designs in a cost-effective and low-risk way, enabling validation of flight dynamics before full-scale development," said Scott Pomeroy, CEO of XTI Aerospace. "We are encouraged by our Sparrow and Kestrel results, and this program will continue to the TriHawk, and conclude with the full-scale, piloted TriFan 600, anticipated in 2027."

Dave Ambrose, VP of Engineering at XTI Aircraft added, "The success of Sparrow and Kestrel demonstrates the viability of key design elements of the TriFan 600 under flight conditions."

Next Milestone: TriHawk Subscale Aircraft

The next phase of development will be the TriHawk subscale aircraft, significantly larger than Sparrow or Kestrel, and designed to generate deeper insights into vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) dynamics and further refine system models. Initial flight operations are expected in Q4 2025.

Building Toward Market Opportunity

XTI's subscale program is designed to systematically reduce risk while positioning the company to capture the emerging market for mid-range VTOL aircraft. With global demand for efficient, versatile, point-to-point air mobility on the rise, the TriFan 600 is expected to serve a wide range of business aviation, regional transport, and special-mission markets.

"Subscale aircraft and models have been an important component of design validation throughout the history of aerospace engineering," said Alex Williams, PhD, Senior Advisor to XTI Aircraft. "It's encouraging to see the success and learnings of the scaled aircraft yield such positive results."