The Next Great Leap in Jet Design: Otto Aviation’s Laminar Flow Revolution w/ Paul Touw

For decades, business aviation has advanced in small, predictable steps. Quieter cabins, digital cockpits, incremental gains in fuel efficiency. But real breakthroughs are generational. What Otto Aviation is building may be the most significant leap in private jet design since the invention of the high-bypass turbofan. This isn’t another luxury aircraft chasing prestige. It’s a reimagining of how far, how fast, and how efficiently a jet can fly. At the center of that transformation is laminar flow: an aerodynamic principle nature has perfected but aviation has struggled to harness. Until now. By achieving true laminar flow across both the wing and fuselage, Otto has unlocked a 50% reduction in fuel burn. That creates a cascade of benefits: lighter engines, smaller tanks, reduced maintenance, and dramatically lower operating costs. For the first time, private aviation could expand beyond the elite few and into a broader market of business travelers. In this episode, CEO of Otto Aviation, Paul Touw, joins me to talk about how laminar flow moved from a theoretical possibility to a practical breakthrough, what it takes to bring a billion-dollar clean-sheet aircraft to market, and how this technology could reshape the economics of flight for decades to come. You’ll also learn; Why laminar flow is the biggest aerodynamic breakthrough since the 707 How Otto’s design rewrites aircraft economics, cutting weight, fuel, and maintenance while extending range and performance. Why flying higher delivers radical efficiency and passenger comfort. How stealth-era manufacturing and modern computing finally made laminar flow possible. How Otto is minimizing risk by combining in-house final assembly with proven certified systems. How Flexjet’s $10B order signals commercial confidence in Otto’s clean-sheet aircraft. What it takes to recruit elite engineers from Boeing, Textron, and Gulfstream into a startup building the first new jet of its kind in over a decade. How lessons from XOJet shaped a customer-first approach to designing the next era of business aviation. Guest Bio Paul Touw is an Engineer, Entrepreneur, and CEO of Otto Aviation. The Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 is a masterpiece of engineering— utilizing groundbreaking laminar flow technology, digital design tools, and modern manufacturing techniques to achieve unparalleled efficiency, luxury, and environmental stewardship. Designed for leaders, visionaries, and innovators, the Phantom 3500 sets a new standard in private jet flight where performance and sustainability exist in perfect harmony. To learn more, head to https://ottoaerospace.com/ or connect with Paul on LinkedIn . About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. Podcast CTA Check out this episode on our website , Apple Podcasts , or Spotify , and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review helps our show reach more people. Thank you!