platoseedplatoseed
Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for major airlines
Odys Aviation (formerly Craft Aero) builds vertical take-off and landing aircraft for major airlines. We cut travel time in half on the world’s busiest routes by using city helipads and local airports. The company founders are electric propulsion and automotive manufacturing experts who have spent their careers electrifying transportation systems at Virgin Hyperloop, GoogleX, Volvo, and Fisker Automotive. We’ve won two USAF Agility Prime contracts, have pre-orders and options for more than 1,000 aircraft.
Odys Aviation designs hybrid VTOL aircraft and high-speed generators for the advanced air mobility market, targeting long-range, dual-use platforms for defense, logistics, and civil applications. Their approach emphasizes hybrid-electric propulsion and a flap-based thrust vectoring system to enable runway-independent operations and multi-mission capabilities. The company positions two primary aircraft (Laila and Alta) on a single platform designed for scalable, mission-flexible VTOL performance.
Odys offers long-range, dual-use VTOL aircraft powered by hybrid-electric propulsion with a flap-based thrust vectoring architecture. The design aims for runway-independent operations, extended range and payload, and multi-hour endurance. Their two showcased aircraft, Laila (tactical VTOL drone with 450-mile range, 130 lb payload, multi-hour endurance) and Alta (1,200-mile range, 3,500-pound capacity, dual flexible cargo capability), illustrate the platform’s capability for defense, logistics, and civil missions. The platform emphasizes scalability, mission versatility, and integration for real-world air mobility needs.
Who it’s for: Defense, logistics (cargo/civil/military), and civil humanitarian/medical transport operators seeking long-range, runway-independent VTOL capabilities.
News mentions partnerships and collaboration announcements (Honeywell Aerospace collaboration, engineering collaboration with Motion Applied) indicating active traction and potential funding/industry engagement.
Prior to founding Odys Aviation (formerly Craft Aero), James held leadership roles at GoogleX, Virgin Hyperloop One, and Arrivo. He started his career in Fusion Energy Research at the MIT PSFC and has long been passionate about improving sustainability and efficiency of transportation systems. As employee 20 at Virgin Hyperloop One, he was responsible for building & leading the propulsion and levitation teams & tech.
Axel Radermacher has spent his career advancing transportation by bringing together technology, design, and business. At Odys, his core mission is assuring the product and the company exceed the needs of the customer and the market. Previously, as Karma's Chief Vehicle Engineer for EV Platforms, he found the perfect balance between technology, comfort, and beauty. In other roles, he electrified and redefined sports cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.
Formerly “Craft Aerospace” · why startups rename →
Long range, battery electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
Hypersonic space plane that can take-off from any location and weather
