Boom XB-1: This is what the prototype of the first private supersonic aircraft looks like

The timing is not exactly ideal: in the middle of what is perhaps the greatest crisis in private aviation, the startup boom is presenting the prototype of a new aircraft. This is due to significant delays. Because the concept behind it was presented around four years ago. The maiden flight was actually planned for 2017. Now the engineers actually seem to be ready. Because with the Boom XB-1, the miniature version of a supersonic aircraft has now been presented. The plane is around 21 meters long and has a

wingspan of five meters. There is only space inside for the two pilots required. The purpose of the prototype is to prove the basic functionality of the technologies used.

Airlines have already placed seventy pre-orders

One day the commercial supersonic aircraft Ouverture will be built on this basis and offer space for 65 to 88 passengers. According to current plans, these will then reach their destination twice as quickly as before. The journey from New York to London should only take 3.5 hours. In total there are already around seventy pre-orders for the first privately developed supersonic aircraft. Before the plane can actually be built in its original size, however, the prototype must first demonstrate a number of capabilities. On the one hand, there is the computer-controlled stability support, which is to be used in particular during critical phases such as take-off and landing. The aircraft should only receive approval from the responsible authorities if it can be proven to be working properly.

The noise and the pollution are likely to be decisive

In addition, it will be tested whether the design used is actually able to reduce the noise on earth caused by the sonic boom. Because of this, the legendary Concorde was only allowed to fly at top speed over the Atlantic at some point - and that's why it became a commercial flop. The test flights of the prototype planned for next year should show whether decisive improvements have been achieved here. The startup also wants to break new ground with another possible problem: The supersonic aircraft is to be powered by purely synthetic fuels. Because the carbon required for this is to be extracted from the atmosphere, theoretically climate-neutral flights would be possible. However, no airline in the world has yet fully adopted such an approach.