Centennial Airport Leading Return Of Supersonic Flight
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- Centennial Airport may be leading the way in the return of supersonic flight.
The Concorde was a supersonic jet the hopped the pond, New York City to London, in just 3½ hours. The jet was retired in 2003 after guzzling jet fuel and creating sonic booms for decades.
"We offer something completely different which is getting there in less than half the time," said CEO of Boom Blake Scholl.
Conventional aircraft take about seven hours to reach Europe.
Scholl has hired his 13th engineer with more to come. He dreams of reviving supersonic flight and showed CBS4's Howard Nathan an engine that has already flown at the supersonic speed of more than twice the speed of sound.
"What we're doing is taking existing proven technology from materials, air frames, engines, avionics," said Scholl.
A lightweight carbon fiber composite, instead of aluminum, should dramatically reduce the fuel costs.
Scholl and Nathan walked on a tape outline of the jet being developed at Centennial Airport.
When asked, "This is not how big it's going to be, this is what?"
Scholl replied, "This is one third scale the prototype, 50 feet long."
Plans call for building the prototype this August with hundreds more of the full sized jet that will carry about 40 passengers. Compared to the old 100-seater that charged $20,000 for a ticket, the Boom ticket might run about $5,000.
The possibility of business in Britain means a departure from New York at 6 a.m. followed by a full day of work in England.
"Catch a 9:30 flight from London, back to New York, you land in New York at 8 o'clock, the day you left, you can tuck your kids into bed," said Scholl.
Initially the plane will not fly at supersonic speed over land. Aviation regulations say the plane can reach supersonic speed only when it's over the ocean. Scholl is hoping the return to supersonic flight will change that rule.
Scholl is supported by aviation industry executives and retired astronaut Mark Kelly. Boom also announced Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines fame wants to buy 10 of his supersonic jets.
Howard Nathan is a veteran newsman. Decades later, he still enjoys writing a clever sentence, asking the tough question and talking to people in Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Howard and read his bio.
