Technology · Consumer gadgets · published 2026-10-10 · via Tom's Hardware

3D-printed jet-powered RC aircraft makes maiden flight in speed-record attempt

A team of University of Bath graduates called the Mach Initiative has flown a 3D-printed, jet-turbine-powered remote-controlled aircraft. The design, made mainly from PETG with carbon-fiber and aluminum reinforcement, is intended to challenge the Guinness record for fastest model aircraft with a target of Mach 0.8. Its current Jetcat P60 engine is not powerful enough for the record attempt, so the maiden flight was focused on proving jet-powered flight.

Expanded Detail

The Mach Initiative, formed by University of Bath graduates, has flown a jet-turbine RC plane called the Kingchaser. It is mostly 3D-printed from PETG, with PPS-CF for the engine housing, carbon-fiber rods, and aluminum/steel mounting hardware. The craft weighs about 9 kg and is roughly 20% larger than its Kingfisher predecessor.

The maiden flight used a Jetcat P60 engine, which produces 63 N·m of thrust and can reach 205 mph. Because that powerplant cannot support the Mach 0.8 record goal, the flight mainly demonstrated that the printed airframe can fly under jet power. The team previously tested an EDF-powered prototype, the Kinglet.

Count words. First para: The(1) Mach(2) Initiative,(3) formed(4) by(5) University(6) of(7) Bath(8) graduates,(9) has(10) flown(11) a(12) jet-turbine(13) RC(14) plane(15) called(16) the(17) Kingchaser.(18) It(19) is(20) mostly(21) 3D-printed(22) from(23) PETG,(24) with(25) PPS-CF(26) for(27) the(28) engine(29) housing,(30) carbon-fiber(31) rods,(32) and(33) aluminum/steel(34) mounting(35) hardware.(36) The(37) craft(38) weighs(39) about(40) 9(41) kg(42) and(43) is(44) roughly(45) 20%(46) larger(47) than(48) its(49) Kingfisher(50) predecessor.(51) Second: The(52) maiden(53) flight(54) used(55) a(56) Jetcat(57) P60(58) engine,(59) which(60) produces(61) 63(62) N·m(63) of(64) thrust(65) and(66) can(67) reach(68) 205(69) mph.(70) Because(71) that(72) powerplant(73) cannot(74) support(75) the(76) Mach(77) 0.8(78) record(79) goal,(80) the(81) flight

Context

... No markdown? Plain text. Good. Need maybe "under 120 words total" for expanded. We have 102. Good. "2 short paragraphs" yes. Context one paragraph under 90. Good. Potential issue: "63 N·m of thrust" source says "63 N · m of thrust" but maybe should be "63 N of thrust"? The source says "63 N · m of thrust" weird. If I write N·m, it's torque. But drawn from material. Could avoid unit by saying "a Jetcat P60 engine, rated for 205 mph in the source"? Hmm. Need factual detail. Maybe "The maiden flight used a Jetcat P60 engine, which the team says is not powerful enough for the record attempt and can reach 205 mph." That avoids unit. But source says capable of 63 N·m thrust, top speed 205 mph. We can say "listed at 63 N·m of thrust and 205 mph top speed." Fine. Need maybe mention "Kingfisher Mk2" vs "Kingchaser" confusion. Source: headline says Kingchaser? Actually first says The Kingchaser, a 3D-printed... aims... The team posted maiden flight of Kingfisher to YouTube. Then says King

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.

Read the full article at Tom's Hardware →

This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “World’s first 3D-printed remote control aircraft with a jet turbine takes flight, aims for Mach 0.8 to beat world record for fastest model aircraft.” Browse more stories.