Advancing the Future of Personal and Tactical Aviation
Our Vision
At Portal Aircraft Company (PAC), we are redefining what’s possible in vertical mobility and expeditionary logistics.
Our vision is bold:
- Rapid deployment in contested zones
- Urban Vertical Takeoff & Landing (VTOL integration) for tomorrow’s traveler
- Turbine-powered performance at the edge of innovation
Whether it’s a combat outpost or a coastal yacht, Portal aircraft deliver speed, strength, and sovereignty.
Powered by a patented turbine-based quadcopter design, PAC aircraft offer the endurance of gas turbines with the flexibility of VTOL. Our platforms are engineered to serve warfighters in contested zones and passengers in urban environments—all with one unified architecture.
We envision a future where rugged military systems enhance operational reach, and next-gen civilian aircraft unlock personal freedom of movement. We’re making dual-use aviation not only possible, but inevitable.
Our Company Capabilities
We bring together advanced engineering, rapid prototyping, and operational insight to deliver breakthrough VTOL aircraft. Together, these capabilities position PAC to deliver transformational aircraft that are rugged enough for the battlefield and safe enough for everyday use.
Turbine-Powered VTOL
Our patented power system eliminates heavy gearboxes and batteries, enabling superior range, endurance, and reliability.
Military Systems Expertise
We’re developing unmanned platforms for ISR, contested logistics, and modular mission payloads, with built-in electromagnetic resilience.
Civilian Aircraft Development
We’ve designed manned aircraft, emphasizing passenger safety, low maintenance, and personal mobility in both urban and remote environments.
Rapid Prototyping
We use advanced 3D printing and composite materials for lightweight, rugged structures and fast iteration from concept to flight.
Our Product Lines
Military: Unmanned Systems for Contested Logistics
For the military, we develop unmanned, turbine-powered VTOL aircraft purpose-built for contested logistics and ISR in high-threat environments, delivering unmatched range, long endurance, electromagnetic resilience, ruggedness, and rapid sustainment.
Shrike ISR Platform
A long-endurance Group-2 drone optimized for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in denied environments. Designed for extended-range patrols with low acoustic signature and electromagnetic resilience.
Sentinel Logistics Drone
A turbine-powered logistics platform for agile supply delivery in contested zones. This sleek and powerful aircraft is capable of resupplying forward operating units with precision and minimal infrastructure.
Civilian: Personal and Commercial Aircraft
For civilian markets, we offer manned turbine-powered VTOL aircraft for personal and commercial flight, combining extended range and endurance with passenger safety, low maintenance, and the convenience of vertical operations from anywhere a conventional helicopter could operate.
Hummingbird
An elegant five-seat aircraft for personal air mobility. Ideal for rooftop-to-rooftop transport, yacht landings, and executive travel.
DragonFly
A rugged 1-2 seat, long-range VTOL designed for remote airstrips, countryside excursions, and low-maintenance commercial missions.
Our Technology Stack
Unlike electric or hybrid eVTOLs, our technology stack is built around a patented turbine-powered quadcopter architecture that redefines the limits of vertical flight.
Range & Endurance
High energy density enables hundreds of miles of flight where electric aircraft are limited to minutes.
Electromagnetic Resilience
By minimizing reliance on electronics for propulsion, PAC aircraft are less vulnerable to jamming, EMP, or directed energy threats, making them uniquely suited to contested military environments.
Reliability & Maintainability
Fewer moving parts, no gearboxes, and no battery degradation cycles translate to low maintenance.
Scalable Design
A common architecture that supports unmanned Group-1 through Group-3 military platforms as well as manned civilian aircraft ranging from ultralights to air-taxis.
Safety Architecture
Whole-aircraft parachutes provide a fail-safe environment for manned operations.
Additive Manufacturing
Use of advanced 3D-printed alloys and composites for turbines, ducts, and structural elements reduces cost and enables rapid prototyping.
Our Aerospace Services
We offer full-spectrum support from design to deployment. PAC aircraft are not only built for performance, but also backed by a team of elite engineers, military veterans, and operational designers.
Concept-to-Flight Engineering
From initial design through flight testing, our team delivers airframes, avionics, and autonomy software purpose-built for military utility.
Mission-Customized UAS Platforms
We tailor aircraft performance, range, and payload capacity to meet specific CONOPS and warfighter needs.
Flight Testing & Demonstration
Whether you’re looking for persistent ISR, denied-area penetration, or agile multi-mission UAS, Portal Aircraft is your tactical edge.
Why Partner with Portal Aircraft
Portal Aircraft Company has been assessed as Awardable on the DARPA Expedited Research Implementation Series (ERIS) Marketplace. The ERIS Marketplace is a transformative digital platform designed to accelerate acquisition velocity and advance national security innovation. All awardable solutions, including PAC’s, have undergone comprehensive scoring rubrics and competitive evaluation and are available for selection, negotiation, and award by Government customers with a Marketplace account.
Government customers can create an ERIS Marketplace account and view our solution here: DARPA ERIS Marketplace.
Portal Aircraft Company Selected as Army xTechSearch 9 Finalist
Winner of the U.S. Army’s premier technology competition, xTechSearch 9. This program identifies and accelerates disruptive technologies with potential impact across Army missions.
Government and industry partners can view the full list of finalists on the official xTech website: https://xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechsearch-9/
Mission-Ready Expertise
Led by veterans and engineers with real-world combat and aerospace experience.
Dual-Use Innovation
From battlefield logistics to luxury urban transport, our designs serve both military and civilian needs.
Built for Certification
Civilian aircraft follow FAA cert pathways from day one, passing all critical safety metrics.
Our Founder
James Thurman is a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and aerospace engineer with 1500+ flight hours, 105 combat hours, and 200+ TLAM strikes as a Naval Aviator. He holds degrees in Aerospace and Space Systems Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
A certified commercial pilot and FAA light sport repairman, James taught aerospace engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy and UTA. He managed national satellite programs at the NRO and currently serves as a Systems Architect at Lockheed Martin, where he leads critical work on the Patriot Missile System.
Beyond his military and technical credentials, James is also a successful business owner and investor, passionate about advancing aerospace innovation for both defense and civilian applications. His leadership drives the mission of Portal Aircraft Company: to pioneer the future of personal and tactical aviation.
Book a VTOL Strategy Call
Meet with James Thurman, Founder of Portal Aircraft Company, for a free 30-minute strategy session on the future of vertical flight innovation.
This call is ideal for:
- Investors & partners in VTOL innovation
- Aerospace professionals & advisors
- Government & defense stakeholders
What you’ll gain:
- ✓ Quick overview of PAC’s vision & roadmap
- ✓ Insight into defense + civilian VTOL applications
- ✓ Open Q&A on partnerships, tech specs, or milestones
Experience the Future of Aviation with Turbine-Powered VTOL
Portal Aircraft Company is building the next generation of aerial mobility platforms—for those who move with purpose.
From warfighter to world traveler, we make your mission possible.
Ready to learn more?