Boom is looking to transform the way air travels will be done in the near future by building airplanes that are literally 2.6 times faster than the usual airliners (at least that's what it's saying).
You can take trips to distant places and back, same day. For instance, it takes about 6hrs 45 minutes from Lagos to London, but with Boom's Supersonic airplanes you can get to London In a mere 3hrs or there about. Also, it takes about 7hrs to go from New York to London, but Boom makes the journey in about 3.4hrs, saving 3.6hrs in travel time. Now that's really fast.
It sounds like something out of a Sci-fi movie. But if and when it becomes a reality, it would revolutionize air travel. I must confess, I'm kinda skeptical about it. Like the planes we have today aren't fast enough already.
I do believe it's possible, cos I'm a believer, and anything is possible, especially with God. Who believed man would someday fly in the sky before the Wright brothers? The mere thought of it at that time was scary, stupid, insane, and downright impossible. But Orville and Wilbur did it anyway. I guess it's okay when people call you crazy because of your dreams and goals you set to achieve. At the end of the day, a big dream, A God-given dream is one that doesn't make sense to the ordinary folk.
The Supersonic passenger plane, MACH 2.2, it is said will move 2.2 times the speed of sound. Sounds crazy right? Boom is a new startup funded by some companies like Y-Combinator, Seraph Group, and other 'angels'. The startup is working on its first prototype, and hopes to fly it late in 2017. Working hard on the project is a team of very talented individuals, 11 in number, who have collectively contributed to over 30 aircrafts. They have worked on autopilot system on the 787, fighter plane engines, and flight dynamics on Spaceship Two. Some of them are ex-NASA, ex-Lockheed, or ex-Boeing. Talk about the big-NAUTICS! And one big name attached to this project is Virgin. You know, the Virgin Group? Richard Branson? Yeah? Yeah! That big name (nodding).
The Virgin Group optioned 10 planes and an additional 15 planes to a European carrier, bringing total value of planes optioned to 5 billion dollars. Now what this means is not that Virgin has bought the planes (I mean that's probably too early), but that they have signed a letter of intent meaning that, they intend to buy 10 planes if everything comes together as planned, having viewed the companies plans on moving forward and achieving its goals.
Boom founder, Blake Scholl says that Virgin Galactic's space division, The Spaceship Company, has committed to help in building and testing the plane, which includes the Supersonic testing. A spokeswoman for the Virgin Group confirmed their plans to assist Boom when the time comes. She said that the company confirmed that, The Spaceship Company will provide engineering, design and manufacturing services, flight tests and operations and that they have an option on the first 10 airframes.
Building stuff is a lot of hard work, but then building a passenger plane that moves faster than any other today, is a whole new level. I mean we're talking about a plane that could get you home, literally a day earlier than usual. Again, crazy! But they doing it anyways. Combining jet engines and carbon fiber, advanced design software and wind tunnel tests, all at their Boom hangar in Denver. First test flights will occur at centennial airport, with supersonic testing near Edwards Air Force Base in California.
It gives me the chills, but that's what this technology, like any other awesome technology does to you. Part of the "Thrills" of living Life In A Jet Age. #Awesome.
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