Commercial Flights Will Soon Go Boom

Good morning! Did anybody else think the Super Bowl got a little boring as the game went on? Unless of course you’re an Eagles fan, in which case, it was awesome. Go Birds! 🦅

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Boom’s XB-1 Breaks the Sound Barrier

• Around the Skies: $65,000 for drone mishap, Helicopter safety ratings in focus, Aviation could faces tariff challenges, WWII Navy-to-Victory Tour, Boeing’s space struggles, Golden Eagles upgrade to CubCrafters, Sporty’s new pilot partnerships

• PilotTube: Aviation Paradise in Tennessee’s Backcountry

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Boom’s XB-1 Test Flight—The Future of Air Travel is One Step Closer

Boom Supersonic made a major leap toward reintroducing supersonic commercial flight two weeks ago with the successful test flight of its XB-1 “Baby Boom” demonstrator at Mojave Air & Space Port in California. The Baby Boom, a prototype aircraft one-third the size of Boom’s planned Overture airliner, hit Mach 1.1, or 750 mph, during its 12th test flight, making it the first independently built jet to break the sound barrier in nearly 80 years. This historic flight marks a significant milestone in civil aviation, with Boom aiming to bring back supersonic flight on a commercial scale, an ambition that has remained grounded since the Concorde’s retirement two decades ago.

The XB-1 test flight was a crucial step in validating the technologies that will be used on the Overture, a supersonic airliner designed to carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, roughly twice the speed of today’s commercial jets. Chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg flew the aircraft to an altitude of 35,290 feet before pushing past the sound barrier, confirming that the aircraft’s design, which includes carbon fiber composites, supersonic intakes and augmented reality systems, is on track for future success. The test also revealed some important lessons that will influence the Overture’s design, including the decision to double its seating capacity.

Boom’s Overture, which is expected to cruise at 60,000 feet, will offer passengers the ability to fly across the globe in four hours or less, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-powered engines that reduce carbon emissions. Although it will not quite reach Concorde’s speeds, Overture will offer a range of 4,250 nautical miles and fly high enough to see the curvature of Earth from the cabin windows. Boom is targeting its first Overture flight by 2026, with FAA certification by 2029, and has already secured preorders from United Airlines and American Airlines for a combined total of 130 aircraft.

This achievement is a landmark moment in aviation history, as Boom’s successful supersonic flight demonstrates the potential of modern engineering and private-sector innovation. "This is a big deal for aviation, and a testament to the dedication of our team," said Blake Scholl, Boom’s founder and CEO. With Overture slated to bring supersonic travel back to the skies, the race to revolutionize air travel is gaining speed, and Boom is well positioned to lead the charge into a new era of aviation.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ A California man pleaded guilty to flying a drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft near Los Angeles in January, grounding a "Super Scooper.” Akemann faces up to a year in prison and must repay $65,000 for the damage caused, as well as potential future fines.

🛩️ The Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) is proposing a helicopter safety rating system to encourage operators to add safety equipment without waiting for regulatory mandates. The system would focus on technologies that prevent accidents, such as loss of control and collisions. While still in the proof-of-concept stage, the proposal aims to improve safety and potentially reduce insurance costs.

🛩️ GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers Association) is raising concerns about proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, warning they could severely impact the U.S. aviation industry. The tariffs threaten to disrupt aircraft exports, the global supply chain and the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) sector, potentially costing jobs and driving up costs.

🛩️ The Commemorative Air Force’s "Ready 4 Duty," a WWII-era aircraft, will lead a 12-week Navy-to-Victory Tour to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory. This 12,000-mile journey from Texas to Europe will honor WWII veterans and showcase artifacts from U.S. warships. Despite the challenges posed by flying an 80-year-old plane on such a long journey, the tour aims to celebrate the service and sacrifice of veterans while creating a lasting tribute to their legacy.

🛩️ Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft program has now surpassed $2 billion in losses, with a $500 million setback in 2024. After successfully sending astronauts to the ISS, the spacecraft failed to bring them back due to some technical hiccups, leaving SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to steal the spotlight with nine successful missions. With no clear timeline for Starliner’s next flight, Boeing may soon be reconsidering its approach to space exploration—or at least its space investment strategy.

🛩️ Embry-Riddle’s Golden Eagles Flight Team is upgrading to CubCrafters’ NX Cubs, replacing their old Cessnas with these high-performance aircraft. The new planes, equipped with advanced avionics and a powerful engines, will enhance training and help the team maintain its competitive edge.

🛩️ Sporty’s Pilot Shop has acquired PilotWorkshops, a leading provider of online aviation courses, in a move that doubles down on their commitment to supporting pilots. The partnership aims to expand PilotWorkshops' reach while maintaining the high-quality training pilots have come to expect. With this acquisition, Sporty’s is not just selling products but also building a bigger and better training platform to benefit the entire aviation community.

PilotTube

William Armstrong, the mastermind behind Big South Fork Airpark, has carved out a 450-acre slice of paradise right next to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Located near Scott Municipal Airport in Oneida, Tennessee, it’s the perfect spot for pilots who want to wake up to a scenic view while living with their airplane.

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