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Otto Aerospace Advances FAA Certification with Phantom 3500 EFS Simulator

29 April 2026

Otto Aviation has achieved a new milestone in the development of its Phantom 3500 aircraft by activating its third-generation Engineering Flight Simulator (EFS), a key tool in the evaluation process with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The EFS serves as a development platform that allows for prototyping, validating, and optimizing design concepts using a model-based engineering (MBSE) approach. This system facilitates continuous feedback, accelerating design evolution and enabling early evaluation of critical aircraft aspects.

During the week, Otto hosted an FAA flight test team to conduct a hands-on evaluation of the Phantom 3500 using the simulator. The sessions focused on elements such as cockpit design, visibility, and the role of simulation as a tool within the certification process.

Additionally, the company had the participation of a former NASA astronaut, who also evaluated the EFS system. According to the company, independent feedback highlighted the value of simulation in the early stages of development, especially in building safer and more efficient aircraft.

This progress is part of the path toward the first flight of the FTV1 prototype, marking another step in the integration of advanced digital tools into aeronautical development and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Source: Otto Aerospace

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