James Thurman is the Founder and CEO of Portal Aircraft Company (PAC), an aerospace startup developing next-generation turbine-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. PAC is focused on delivering long-range, low-maintenance aircraft for both civilian and defense applications, with the goal of redefining personal and utility aviation.
James holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and two Master’s degrees in Aeronautical Science and Space Systems. He is a former U.S. Naval Aviator with approximately 1,500 flight hours in helicopters, and has served as a professor at both the United States Naval Academy and the University of Texas at Arlington.
His industry experience includes work at Lockheed Martin as a systems engineer on the Patriot Missile System and as a program manager supporting software development for the National Reconnaissance Office.
James is also a commercial pilot and aircraft owner. His firsthand experience with the high cost and complexity of aircraft maintenance directly inspired the creation of Portal Aircraft Company, which is focused on building simpler, more reliable, and more accessible aircraft powered by turbine-based propulsion.
Under his leadership, PAC has gained early traction, including winning Army xTechSearch 9 and securing a Phase I SBIR contract with the U.S. Army. The company is currently developing its minimum viable product (MVP) drone, with a live flight demonstration planned for August 2026.
James is passionate about enabling a future where aircraft are not limited by infrastructure, opening new possibilities for personal freedom, logistics, and national security applications.
