Seventeen years – that is how long commercial aviation has been stuck in the subsonic flight regime after British Airways ended Concorde flights in October 2003. In a world obsessed with speed and timesaving, that is remarkable. After all, the prospect of flying from London to New York in three and a quarter hours instead of the current seven hours or from San Francisco to Tokyo in five and a half hours instead of 11, would strongly appeal to most travellers.
That is why several companies are racing to get their supersonic jets to the market. These include Boom Supersonic’s Overture Mach 2.2 airliner, Aerion Supersonic’s AS2 Mach 1.4 Business Jet and Spike Aerospace whose S-512 Mach 1.6 aircraft has both Business Jet and commercial possibilities. And in August 2020, Virgin Galactic announced plans to collaborate with Rolls-Royce to build a Mach 3 airliner. In fact, although the aviation industry has been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the nascent field of high-speed civil aviation is one area that is recording noteworthy progress. But can the supersonic hopefuls overcome the stiff challenges they face?
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Travel Transitions In 2021
From contactless checkin to biometric gateways, cabin cleaning, increased collaboration, domestic travel, common travel digital passport, travelling in 2021 and beyond comes decked up with innovations
Supersonic Airliners On The Horizon
Although the aviation industry has been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the nascent field of high-speed civil aviation is one area that is recording noteworthy progress
TATA GROUP RIDING THE AMBITIOUS AVIATION ARC
Having raised its stake in AirAsia India, alongside operating Vistara, Tata Group is a strong bidder for Air India too
PRATT & WHITNEY PUREPOWER ENGINES
The Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan engine introduced dramatic improvements in propulsive efficiency and noise reduction
SIX BOEING 777 FREIGHTERS FOR CHINA AIRLINES
China Airlines has becomes the 20th operator of the twin-aisle freighter. The company’s Chairman Hsieh Su-Chien stated:
TATA'S STAKE CLIMB UP THE LADDER IN INDIAN AVIATION INDUSTRY
Tata group increased its holdings in AirAsia India to 84 per cent
INDIAN AIRLINE INDUSTRY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
Around two months after the imposition of total lockdown for three weeks commencing March 23, 2020, domestic flights albeit with much reduced frequency, were permitted to operate
EMBRAER E190 OPERATING WITH MYANMAR AIRWAYS
On December 21 last year, Myanmar Airways International’s (MAI) first Embraer E190 commenced operations from Yangon.
EMERGING CONFIGURATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AVIATION
Aviation contributes two per cent of humanmade Co 2 emissions and has challenged itself to reduce net emissions even while demand for air travel and transport has grown significantly
BLURRING DISTINCTION BETWEEN NARROW-BODY AND WIDE-BODY AIRLINERS
The major benefit which will emerge is that terribly busy hubs will de-congest with the number of transiting passengers reducing drastically as the layovers at the hubs will be done away with
80% of people have a fear of flying
The fear of flight has been a well-existing phenomenon that many fliers suffer from, especially the first-timers. The comfortable ride through the clouds can be a memorable journey for many, but few are in a hurry to make a landing and feel the solid surface and fresh air.
Build a Low Sawhorse
This simple build is an underrated essential.
Toeing the Line With Pressure Washers
A pressure washer takes water and makes it radical. Water enters one end of the machine at a pressure in the range of 30 to 80 psi and moves along at 4 mph.
19-year-old Woman Sets Record For Solo Global Flight
Home! And no longer alone.
Legend Hobby / Seagull Models - Cessna Grand Caravan 208
The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 is a legend in aviation circles. A single engine utility aircraft that punches up with capabilities that rival many twin engine aircraft in its class. Its seemingly simple configuration belies its near extreme utility.
The Temple of Speed
Reno entices even this altitude-oriented pilot.
Back to the Skies
United Airlines leads the way to the safe rebound of air travel.
Impossible barriers are made to be broken
Few technologies have had such a rapid development and such a powerful impact on mankind as the invention of the airplane.
A Carbon Trading Market Perks Up
Sixteen years ago, Europe introduced a market based on what was then a revolutionary notion: forcing companies to cut greenhouse gas emissions by issuing credits that allow them to pollute up to a certain level. If they spew out more, they have to buy allowances from other companies. If they pollute less, they can sell their extra permits and bank the cash.
LIFE IN THE AIR: Living the Dream
The journey from M X to CFI