Otto Aviation has announced the appointment of Scott Drennan as its new president and CEO, as part of a strategic transition into its next phase of growth and execution.

Drennan, who previously served as president and chief operating officer (COO), succeeds Paul Touw, who had held the position since 2022. This change marks the company’s shift from a conceptual development stage to the construction, certification, and future commercialization of its aircraft.

The company emphasized that this transition addresses the need to strengthen operational execution, particularly in the development of the Phantom 3500, its innovative jet based on laminar flow technology. This approach aims to redefine aerodynamic efficiency in aviation, reducing drag and improving overall aircraft performance.

Drennan brings experience in complex aerospace programs, having held key roles at companies such as Bell Textron and Supernal, in addition to participating in numerous civil and military certification programs. During his tenure as COO at Otto, he led the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the Phantom 3500 and advanced flight testing related to laminar flow technologies, including collaborations with DARPA.

The new CEO’s primary objective will be to take the Phantom 3500 from the design phase to a certified, market-ready aircraft, as well as explore opportunities in unmanned aerial systems for the defense sector.

This move positions Otto Aerospace at a pivotal stage, where execution, certification, and scalability will be key to solidifying its position in next-generation aviation.

Source: Otto Aerospace