2023-08-30 14:45:39
Boom Supersonic continues to cover stages in the development of its Overture aircraft, with which it intends to revive supersonic flights in 2029. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the US company the necessary permits for the chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg begin test flights of the XB-1, the prototype on which the Overture is being developed, the company has reported.
The XB-1, development prototype of the Overture of Boom SupersonicBoom Supersonic
The tests, for which Boom has not given a start date, will take place in the Mojave desert (California), in the same airspace where Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager first broke the sound barrier in the Bell X -1.
To prepare for the flight, Boom test pilots have completed hundreds of hours in the flight simulator to achieve the highest levels of safety. The test pilots have also practiced in a T-38 trainer aircraft, the same aircraft that will be used as the chase plane for all XB-1 flight tests. To further increase safety, test pilots will use the T-38 to practice formation flying.
Earlier this year, the XB-1 was transferred from the company’s hangar in Centennial, Colorado, to the Mojave Air and Space Port for further flight preparations. The plane, according to Boom Supersonic, has undergone extensive ground testing since its arrival in Mojave, including test taxiing last week.
From Miami to London in five hours
The Overture is a supersonic aircraft designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water, twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial airliners, with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. Optimized for speed, safety and sustainability, Overture is also designed to fly more than 600 routes around the world in half the time, according to its manufacturer, which ensures that it will be able, for example, to cover the route between Miami and London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours. Boom revealed in July last year the final production design of the device, which is scheduled to launch in 2025 and carry its first passengers by 2029.
The American company has already closed several orders for when the plane is ready. American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, reached an agreement with Boom in August last year for the acquisition of 20 supersonic aircraft. American has made a non-refundable payment for this package and has signed an option to purchase an additional 40 Overture aircraft. Overture’s order book, which includes purchases and options from not only American but also United Airlines and Japan Airlines, stands at 130 aircraft.
Spanish participation
Two Spanish companies, Aernnova and Aciturri, will supply part of the components of the device. The Basque company Aernnova will participate in the design and development of the wing of the future supersonic aircraft. The Overture’s wings will be structurally thinner than typical subsonic wings to reduce drag, allowing the aircraft to travel efficiently at higher speeds. Aernnova will provide product engineering and manufacturing services for the preliminary design of this model, which will allow its subsequent progression towards the certification and production phases.
Aciturri, meanwhile, will be in charge of the tail of the plane. The Overture incorporates a horizontal stabilizer that allows greater control at subsonic speeds, especially in takeoff and landing operations. Under the agreement, Aciturri will assume the design and development of the complete empennage, including the vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, rudder and elevators.
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