In a historic moment reminiscent of aviation's golden era, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 prototype, dubbed "Baby Boom," soared into the skies, reviving the dream of civil supersonic flight over two decades after Concorde's retirement.
The XB-1, a one-third-scale trijet supersonic demonstrator, completed its maiden flight from Mojave Air & Space Port, reaching an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds of up to 238 knots. Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom, expressed his excitement, emphasizing the significance of the flight in realizing the vision of supersonic travel.
Chief test pilot Bill Shoemaker, a seasoned aviator with extensive experience, piloted the XB-1, underscoring the expertise behind this groundbreaking achievement. Shoemaker highlighted the dedication of the XB-1 team and the invaluable lessons learned for Boom's ambitious plans for commercial supersonic travel.
The successful flight of the XB-1 serves as a crucial step towards the commercialization of Overture, Boom's production aircraft poised to revolutionize air travel. Overture is designed to accommodate 64-80 passengers at speeds of Mach 1.7, with prominent airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines already expressing interest through substantial orders and pre-orders.
Captain Mike Bannister, former chief Concorde pilot for British Airways, hailed the XB-1's flight as a significant milestone towards sustainable supersonic travel, echoing the anticipation for a successor to Concorde. Bannister's sentiments reflect the industry's long-awaited quest for environmentally friendly supersonic travel, with Boom's Overture positioned as a promising candidate.
The maiden flight of Boom's XB-1 prototype marks a pivotal moment in aviation history, heralding the revival of supersonic travel and igniting hope for a future where passengers can once again traverse the skies at unprecedented speeds.
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Former State Representative at State of Tennessee
1moWonderful news. Congratulations 👏.