XTI Aircraft Company (XTI) has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which will issue a utility patent for the TriFan 600 vertical take-off airplane.

In the notice of allowance, USPTO has granted its approval on all ‘claims’ filed by XTI in its May 2015 patent application, which includes the description of 20 technologies, as well as mechanical operations and configuration of TriFan.

In October 2015, XTI won a design patent for its TriFan family aircraft from USPTO.

XTI CEO Robert LaBelle said: “This is another important milestone for the company.

“Issuance of this patent not only further validates the TriFan 600, it also means that our technology has an enhanced level of protection against potential competitors. 

“That additional barrier to entry benefits the company and all its shareholders.”

Capable of carrying six people, XTI’s TriFan 600 aircraft can take-off and land vertically, similar to a helicopter.

"Our technology has an enhanced level of protection against potential competitors."

Using three ducted fans, TriFan lifts off vertically and then its two wing fans rotate forward for a transition to cruise speed and its initial climb. 

It has been designed to travel at more than 300mph, with a range of over 1,200 miles. 

Last month, XTI partnered with Bye Aerospace jointly develop a hybrid/electric propulsion system for the TriFan aeroplane.

Image: XTI Aircraft Company’s TriFan 600 vertical take-off airplane. Photo: courtesy of XTI Aircraft Company.