BEST OF THE BEST - Wings

In January, Boom’s XB-1 became the first civil supersonic jet to break the sound barrier since the Concorde.

- Haziq Yusof, Michael Verdon, and Nicole Hoey

SUPERSONIC

Boom XB-1

The Colorado-based start-up is using the needle-nosed jet as a testing platform for Overture, a commercial supersonic airliner that Boom plans to have in service by 2030. The XB-1’s Mach 1.122 (1,385km/h) flight became a milestone in aviation history, partly because it was the first civilian supersonic jet built in the US, but mostly because the aircraft was created by a small core team of about 50 people on a limited budget—

supersonic programmes developed by military forces typically cost tens of billions—with zero government assistance. The Overture’s Symphony engines will have a Boomless Cruise feature that allows it to transition to supersonic speeds at altitudes above 30,000ft without the supersonic boom reaching the ground. This detail could prove critical to Overture’s feasibility for overland travel. The XB-1, which many naysayers argued would never fly, is proof that supersonic commercial flight could soon be downright routine.

TURBOPROP

Beechcraft King Air 260

In 1964, the King Air is not only the world’s bestselling turboprop business aircraft but also an icon among aircraft aficionados. Parent company Textron created a commemorative 60th Crimson Edition to celebrate its success, with deliveries taking place this year. The vibrant red and silver exterior, with a custom interior featuring dark leather seats and crimson accent piping, harks back to the King Air’s earlier days, while its modern cockpit includes digital pressurisation, multiscan weather radar, and Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line avionics. Perhaps the real beauty behind this new King Air is its ability to recall the past while embracing the future.