[ CASE STUDY ]
eXalt Aircraft
SOLO — The Hypercar of the Skies
Step into a world where aerospace engineering meets automotive luxury with the eXalt SOLO. This high-performance personal aircraft redefines the flying experience, focusing on pilot ergonomics, intuitive controls, and a breathtaking aesthetic that looks fast even when standing still.
Industry
Aerospace
Year
2017 to 2018
Areas of Expertise
Corporate Identity•Conceptual Design•Design for Manufacturing•Ergonomics•Realistic Renderings•Animations•Pitch Deck Development
[ 01 / CORPORATE IDENTITY ]
Corporate Identity & Branding
Developing a strong, modern brand identity was foundational to positioning eXalt Aircraft as a leader in affordable, high-performance aviation. We built the identity to reflect three values at once: innovation, accessibility, and cutting-edge aerodynamics. The result is a recognizable visual system that works across digital platforms, print collateral, aircraft livery, and investor materials.
The logotype, color palette, and graphic system were engineered to scale. Whether stamped on a carbon fiber panel or rendered in a pitch deck, the identity holds its weight.
[ 02 / STYLING ]
Styling & Visual Design
Three references, one thread: bold silhouettes built for speed.
The design of the SOLO is inspired by WWII warbirds for proportion and aggression, single-seat race cars for cockpit-forward composition, and modern roadsters for surface finesse. The result is an aerodynamic silhouette that looks fast standing still.
- Clean, high-performance body lines that enhance aerodynamics while keeping the visual character distinctive
- Masterlines (Class A surfaces) developed to refine the final form while maintaining manufacturability
- Lightweight carbon fiber elements integrated for both aesthetics and performance
Over 60 concept sketches were produced during the ideation phase before converging on the final direction.
[ 03 / ERGONOMICS ]
Conceptual Design & Ergonomics
A seamless user experience was a priority. It shaped both the aircraft's structural geometry and the cockpit environment. We treated the pilot's interaction with the machine as a design problem of its own, not an afterthought to engineering.
- Ergonomic cockpit layout inspired by Grand Tourer cars, ensuring an intuitive and comfortable flying experience
- Strategic control placement designed for easy access and improved flight dynamics in real flight conditions
- Lightweight modular structure that reduces assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity under load
[ 04 / ENGINEERING ]
Product Engineering & Structural Development
Engineered for efficiency and ease of assembly in parallel.
ONMOTIO led the structural development end to end, from wing architecture down to the bolt-together spaceframe. Every subsystem was optimized against two constraints at once: aerospace-grade rigidity, and a builder who works out of a garage rather than a factory floor.
- Wing and wing box design. Aluminum frame with carbon fiber skins, balancing strength against weight reduction
- Carry-through and spar architecture. Optimized to provide high rigidity with minimal weight, combining composites and aluminum
- Tail section. Vertical and horizontal stabilizers designed for enhanced stability and maneuverability
- Chromoly steel spaceframe. A robust yet lightweight chassis, purpose-built for kit assembly
- Modular bolt-together construction. Enables full assembly in just 40 hours, without specialized tools
- Removable composite panels. Allows easy maintenance and individual part replacements in the field
[ 05 / ASSEMBLY ]
Simplified Assembly & Maintenance
A key challenge for the SOLO was enabling fast assembly and easy maintenance, making the aircraft genuinely accessible to aviation enthusiasts who don't have a factory at their disposal.
- Quick assembly. The modular design allows full assembly in just 40 hours, with no specialized tools required. Step-by-step instructions designed for interactive guidance through mobile and tablet apps, replacing paper manuals
- Easy maintenance. Removable composite panels make replacing damaged parts straightforward, eliminating the need for professional repairs. Every component is bolted or screwed together, simplifying inspections and replacements throughout the aircraft's operational life
[ 06 / DIGITAL ASSETS ]
Digital Renders & Animations
High-fidelity renders and animations were created to showcase the aircraft's design and functionality across investor materials, marketing, and technical documentation.
- Photorealistic 3D renders highlighting the exterior styling, material choices, and aerodynamic form
- Technical animations illustrating the assembly process, aerodynamic principles, and pilot experience
- Cinematic environment renders placing the SOLO in real flight scenarios
[ 07 / FUNDING & STRATEGY ]
Corporate Funding & Strategic Development
Bringing a groundbreaking aviation concept to market requires more than engineering. It demands strategic planning, investor engagement, and a credible business case. ONMOTIO led this phase end-to-end.
- Investor presentations. Successfully pitched the eXalt SOLO to investors, securing critical funding rounds
- Credibility building. Strengthened the business case by demonstrating market viability and technical innovation
- Recognition and awards. Helped win contests, grants, and industry awards, solidifying market positioning
- Strategic development. Produced a 100+ page strategic plan covering growth, commercialization, and expansion
- Government funding. Secured
