Boom begins taxi tests of a one-third scale prototype of its proposed supersonic passenger plane
Three years after it first unveiled the XB-1 prototype of its proposed supersonic passenger plane, Boom Supersonic is finally about to begin taxi tests.
At the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave in California, Boom has been conducting ground tests of its one-third scale XB-1 prototype supersonic jet as part of its project to develop its Overture supersonic airliner. The latest round has included taxi tests in the run up to its maiden flight.
In addition to the tests, the FAA has granted the XB-1 an experimental airworthiness certificate that will allow the test aircraft to make its first flight with Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and Test Pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg at the controls. Along with simulator work, the pilots are practicing with a T-38 trainer that will also act as a chase plane during the flight tests.
When the prototype was first unveiled in 2020 — after several years delay — the company said it planned to begin flight tests in 2021, with the full scale jet flying by 2024. The project has clearly been delayed since then. At the same time, the company has already gotten contracts and financial support from a number of major airlines, including United and Japan Airlines.
Three years after it first unveiled the XB-1 prototype of its proposed supersonic passenger plane, Boom Supersonic is finally about to begin taxi tests.
At the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave in California, Boom has been conducting ground tests of its one-third scale XB-1 prototype supersonic jet as part of its project to develop its Overture supersonic airliner. The latest round has included taxi tests in the run up to its maiden flight.
In addition to the tests, the FAA has granted the XB-1 an experimental airworthiness certificate that will allow the test aircraft to make its first flight with Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and Test Pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg at the controls. Along with simulator work, the pilots are practicing with a T-38 trainer that will also act as a chase plane during the flight tests.
When the prototype was first unveiled in 2020 — after several years delay — the company said it planned to begin flight tests in 2021, with the full scale jet flying by 2024. The project has clearly been delayed since then. At the same time, the company has already gotten contracts and financial support from a number of major airlines, including United and Japan Airlines.