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FAA Grants Historic Authorization for Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 Flight Tests
In a groundbreaking decision, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued its first-ever special flight authorization for the testing of a civil supersonic aircraft, the Boom XB-1. This milestone paves the way for Boom Supersonic to commence flight tests, marking a significant advancement in the development of faster-than-sound travel. (www.airguide.info) Altro...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
A little comment from an old-timer. I worked on the Fairy Delta, the British Experimental delta wing of which only 2 were made. It held the world speed record for a short time flown by test pilot Peter Twiss. The American Sabre took back the record a few months later. I mention this in context because the Fairy Delta came up with the retractable snoop nose which eventually was used on the Concorde. I was around during the Comet era and one thing I do know, it's always harder than you think. David E. Huntley-Author "The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor."
Wasn't it Fairey Delta 2, the supersonic test aircraft? Somehow I don't think the mythical fairies need supersonic travel. :-) Great airplane, though.
BOOM is hardly a pioneer!
All that work was done by BAe and Aerospatial more than 60years ago!
All that work was done by BAe and Aerospatial more than 60years ago!
Some commenters, I think, are missing out on the fact that Boom claims their design will reduce the sonic boom to levels where they can fly supersonic over land, which to this day is still prohibited for all but military aircraft in special use airspace, which surely the tests will be conducted in anyway, so kind of a tempest in a teapot. The key will be whether they prove that's possible or not. Personally I've heard several sonic booms and if you've been through ONE thunderstorm, it's no different, so I never saw the big deal. Sure at low altitude, it's a problem, it can break windows, but at higher altitudes, I wouldn't care.
The fastest ever crossing New York/London was 2hrs 53mins by Concorde in February 1996. In Feb 2020 a subsonic BA flight (Boeing747) made the crossing in just 4hrs 56mins assisted by a 200mph tail wind. One wonders what how much extra Concorde passengers, had it still been flying, would have had to pay to save those 2 hours.
Where can I get tickets for a 747 with a 200MPH tail wind? And can I take it round-trip?
Sure, the return trip just has a 200mph headwind lol. You're never going to watch a W to E wind at altitude over the north atlantic.