A future of cleaner, quieter skies may be just around the corner thanks to a pioneering electric jet project from Whisper Aero. With a $500,000 boost from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the ultralight aircraft company is moving ahead with a groundbreaking test of its electric jet propulsion system.
The project centers around Whisper Aero’s UltraQuiet WhisperDrive, a propulsion system based on the company’s eQ250 electric propulsors. These units will be installed on an existing Aériane Swift3 glider, effectively transforming the aircraft into a testbed for next-generation, low-noise aviation. Unlike traditional propellers that emit a characteristic hum or drone, these new electric propulsors are engineered for silence. They feature multiple stiff composite blades encased in ducts that have been acoustically treated to manage sound more effectively. This design allows for increased airflow at slower speeds while shifting the blade passage frequency above 16,000 Hertz well beyond the range of human hearing.
According to Whisper Aero, these new propulsors are 20 decibels quieter than other systems in their class, while also being 20% more efficient. In terms of performance, the upgraded glider is expected to cruise between 45 and 55 knots, or roughly 52 to 64 miles per hour. It will be capable of climbing at a rate of 1,250 feet per minute and should be able to cover up to 109 miles with current battery technology. With more advanced batteries, that range could increase to 170 miles.
Tennessee Tech University is playing a key role in this initiative. The grant awarded to Whisper Aero is being shared with the university, whose students and faculty will conduct ground testing of the propulsion system, battery integration, and control mechanisms. The project is also helping launch the university’s new Crossville Mobility Incubator, an innovation hub aimed at accelerating electric aviation development across the region.
Flight testing is expected to demonstrate just how quiet the WhisperDrive can be. Engineers believe the aircraft will be able to fly within a few hundred feet of residential neighborhoods without creating any noticeable disturbance—even when carrying a payload of 220 pounds. If the test flights are successful, it could mark a major breakthrough in reducing one of aviation’s most persistent byproducts: noise pollution.
While much of the attention on sustainable aviation focuses on emissions and fuel efficiency, noise is an often-overlooked form of environmental pollution. The hum of engines and drones of aircraft have been linked to a range of health issues, including hearing loss, disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, and even cognitive delays in children. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can elevate blood pressure and contribute to heart disease. Whisper Aero’s quieter aircraft concept could dramatically reduce these risks, especially for communities living near airports or under busy air routes.
