The latest news recently from Boom Supersonic includes this high-speed announcement. It comes on the heels of the first test flight that took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port. Now, the XB-1 prototype has secured the first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1, which is the speed of sound. That approval came from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Test flights are continuing, including those now to be permitted above Mach 1. These will take place in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and in a portion of the High Altitude Supersonic Corridor over Edwards Air Force Base in California. This is the place that is used for extensive research and military supersonic aeronautical operations.
Boom Supersonic continues to move forward including the possibility of commercial Hawaii flights, starting in just five years. If this happens, it will be an incredible milestone in aviation for the first independently developed supersonic airliner.
United Airlines, American Airlines, and others are on board for this venture that may result in flights on the Overture SST, set to fly at Mach 1.7. That would cut California to Hawaii travel time down to just two hours. The Overture SST is planned to have four engines, and increased efficiency, with reduced noise levels. There were more than 130 of these airliners on order as of last year.
United Airlines said, “Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flight experience.”
American Airlines said, “Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers. We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers.”
FAA issues first-of-its-kind authorization for XB-1 supersonic test flights.
The special authorization came just weeks following the first subsonic test flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port. That location is one that Boom says has hosted many historic first flights, including those of the Bell X-1, the North American X-15, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
Prior to a flight achieving supersonic speed, Boom currently plans for up to 20 more test flights. In the next second test flight, the landing gear will be retracted and extended.
Boom said “Right now, the plan is multiple supersonic flights. We plan to do Mach 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 on the first three. The reason for that is each one of those points takes so much airspace that you only have time to do one of them, so we will be on condition for several minutes, we’ll get a flying qualities and handling qualities block, and have to come back home.”
“Following XB-1’s successful first flight, I’m looking forward to its historic first supersonic flight. We thank the Federal Aviation Administration for supporting innovation and enabling XB-1 to continue its important role of informing the future of supersonic travel.”
Blake Scholl, CEO, Boom Supersonic
Boom marks the first return of a civil supersonic aircraft to flight two decades after Concorde ended.
This is paving the way to the potential of revived supersonic travel onboard their Overture airliner. That is set to be the world’s fastest passenger plane.
Where would Hawaii flights on Boom SST fit in?
“West coast markets to Honolulu and Maui include the Bay Area (San Francisco or Oakland) and Los Angeles (2.25 hours). International destinations might include Sydney, Australia (4 hours) and Tokyo, Japan (3 hours). Domestic flights other than overwater aren’t going to happen due to the sonic boom, which, while said to be less on Boom, will still be an issue. As for ticket prices, we can’t say what fares could be to fly on the Overture jets, but we’d expect them to be somewhat higher than the typical first-class fares that Hawaii visitors now pay.”
Beat of Hawaii.
What Boom news are you excited about and do you think this can really happen in five years?
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Folks, supersonic flights to Hawaii, or anywhere else, are not going to happen Ever. Boom is a ponzi scheme, with zero chance of Overture ever actually existing. They have no engine – itself a multi year, multi billion dollar development effort – and they never will. Get used to 6 hour flights in 737s and A321s. Mahalo.
I lived near an airforce base when I was much younger, and sonic booms happened at least weekly.
They’re startling. I’d compare it to having an M80 go off about 25 feet away. I just thought of it as part of what it took to keep our country safe.
Concorde went out of business due to high cost, low demand and a 2000 crash.
Good timing though, with all of Boeing’s safety issues lately.
I am very excited about this! A faster flight to Hawaii would be wonderful!
“As for ticket prices, we can’t say what fares could be to fly on the Overture jets, but we’d expect them to be somewhat higher than the typical first-class fares that Hawaii visitors now pay.”
Well, at least someone is finally being honest. This will not be for the family that saves and saves for that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii.
I personally have no problem with that – there are perks to being wealthy.