Hangar X Studios

This Jet Design Could Change Commercial Aviation Forever | Dean Donovan

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Summary
 In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with Dean Donovan, Co‑Founder and Managing Partner at Diamond Stream Partners, to explore the transformative forces reshaping aerospace today. From revolutionary blended wing body designs and hybrid‑electric propulsion to autonomy, advanced air mobility (AAM), eVTOL developments, and the rise of cargo drones, Dean unpacks the technologies, business models, certification challenges, and market dynamics driving aviation’s next frontier. Whether you’re curious about how cost‑per‑seat‑mile economics enable air‑car substitutions or the promise of beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight drone operations, this deep dive offers expert insights and real‑world examples that reveal where aerospace is headed in 2025 and beyond.

Episode Highlights
  • Blended Wing Body Aircraft: Why a 30–50% fuel efficiency gain is a game changer for commercial aviation.

  • Hybrid‑Electric Propulsion: How retrofits and new airframes like the TriFan leverage electric boost to cut costs, emissions, and maintenance.

  • Autonomy Under 500 Miles: The untapped value of right‑sized, unmanned aircraft for missions today flown by over‑sized planes.

  • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): Technical capabilities, payload‑range trade‑offs, and the critical role of carrier networks for eVTOL success.

  • Cost‑Per‑Seat‑Mile Economics: Hitting the 65¢ mark to outcompete cars and stimulate regional aviation demand.

  • Mid‑Mile Cargo Drones: How containerized UAVs like Elroy Air and Swiss Drones tackle high‑value, time‑sensitive freight.

  • Disrupting a Trillion‑Dollar Industry: Jet Zero’s potential to upend traditional aircraft markets with blended wing body designs.

  • 2025 Outlook: Certification milestones, hybrid aircraft launches, and a surge in BVLOS drone operations.

    • Key Points with Timestamps
    • 00:02:48 – Blended Wing Body Benefits: Lift‑to‑drag improvements, payload range, and passenger experience enhancements.

    • 00:05:32 – Hybrid‑Electric Propulsion: Retrofitting existing fleets and powering new designs to slash cost per seat‑mile.

    • 00:06:50 – Autonomous Missions: Replacing nine‑seat Cessna Caravans for pipeline inspections with 200‑lb unmanned systems.

    • 00:07:33 – AAM & eVTOL Challenges: Payload‑range limits, pivot toward hybrid powertrains, and the necessity of carrier network economics.

    • 00:11:02 – Certification Strategies: Navigating FAA Part 33 approvals for hybrid systems with mechanical fallbacks.

    • 00:16:21 – Extended TBOs: Electric take‑off boosts reduce engine cycles, lowering maintenance downtime and costs.

    • 00:19:10 – Cost Thresholds: Reaching 65¢/seat‑mile to rival ground vehicles and unlock regional aviation growth.

    • 00:22:57 – Cargo Drone Use Cases: Elroy Air’s 300–400 mi containerized flights and Swiss Drones’ inspection/freight ops.

    • 00:29:01 – Jet Zero Spotlight: A 30‑year vision to commercialize blended wing body aircraft and disrupt a multi‑trillion‑dollar ecosystem.

    • 00:40:00 – Looking Ahead: 2025 as a pivotal year for eVTOL certification, hybrid aircraft rollouts, and BVLOS drone acceleration.

      • Guest Bio

      Dean Donovan is Co‑Founder and Managing Partner at Diamond Stream Partners, where he leads investments in aviation and aerospace technologies, including mid‑mile freight, hybrid and electric propulsion, unmanned systems, and fleet optimization. Dean co‑founded Valeria, now Mexico’s largest airline, and previously headed Bain & Company’s Aviation Practice and Bain Africa. His multidisciplinary background spans analytics, finance, marketing, and operations, giving him a unique perspective on both the technical innovations and business transformations shaping the industry.

      Notable Quotes

      “Blended wing body aircraft can carry more payload further for 30 to 50% less fuel—solving both the climate and efficiency problems.”
      — Dean Donovan (00:02:48)

      “If you cut costs in half, you could double or triple the size of the regional aviation market—stimulating massive demand.”
      — Dean Donovan (00:19:10)

      “NASA and other entities poured over a billion dollars of research into these designs before this company got started—you’re standing on the shoulders of giants.”
      — Dean Donovan (00:30:40)

      “The big narrative for 2025 is beyond‑visual‑line‑sight drone operations—that’s going to accelerate drone business models like nothing else.”
      — Dean Donovan (00:40:00)

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      Hangar X StudiosBy John Ramstead