Welcome to Up to Speed, a monthly recap of news from Boom Supersonic. Just last month we announced the successful flight of XB-1, the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet, at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California. This month, XB-1 secured the first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). We spoke with XB-1 Chief Test Engineer, Nick Sheryka, who was recently named 2024 AIAA Rocky Mountain Section Professional Engineer of the Year. We chatted with two Aernnova engineers onsite at Boom headquarters working on the wing design and development for Overture. Lastly, we celebrated World Pilots’ Day by sharing the most memorable stories from Boom’s own licensed pilots.
FAA Authorizes XB-1 to Fly Supersonic
XB-1 has secured the first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). XB-1 test flights will continue to be conducted in the R-2508 Complex and supersonic operations will occur in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and in a portion of the High Altitude Supersonic Corridor within the R-2515 airspace, which has been used extensively for research and military supersonic aeronautical operations. The R-2508 Complex includes all the airspace used and managed by Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, and Edwards Air Force Base.
XB-1’s SFA follows a thorough review and Environmental Assessment, and extends to specified chase plane aircraft, which will trail XB-1 to observe, monitor, and record safety of flight. Learn more about the SFA and XB-1’s journey from first flight to supersonic flight here.
The Revival of Supersonic Travel
There have only been two civil supersonic airliners to enter regular service: the Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 and the British-French Concorde, which flew for the last time more than two decades ago in October 2003. On March 22, 2024, XB-1 became the first independently developed supersonic jet to take flight, paving the way for the return of supersonic travel onboard Overture, Boom’s sustainable supersonic airliner. Unlike its predecessors, Overture is designed to be economically and environmentally sustainable, with the ability to take supersonic flight from an experience limited to few to routine travel for millions of passengers worldwide.
XB-1’s first flight was a major milestone toward the return of supersonic travel that is more affordable, more convenient, and more sustainable. Continue reading here for more on the revival of supersonic travel.
Aernnova Employees Welcomed to Boom Headquarters in Colorado
In 2023, Boom signed a structural supplier agreement with Spain-based Aernnova to design and develop the wing structure for Overture. One of the world’s largest tier-one aerospace suppliers, Aernnova joined Boom’s growing world-class supplier network.
This year, two experienced Aernnova engineers have joined the team onsite at Boom’s headquarters in Centennial, Colorado. Stress engineer Iker Zalbide Padura and design engineer Sergio Bonachela Blazquez are working closely with the Boom team on the Overture program, and both have experience working on supersonic projects. Hear more about the collaboration between the companies and what the two engineers are most excited about here.
Q&A: Meet Nick Sheryka, XB-1 Chief Flight Test Engineer
On March 22nd, Chief Flight Test Engineer Nick Sheryka was leading his teams in the control room as XB-1 successfully executed its inaugural flight. As one of Boom’s first employees to work on the supersonic demonstrator, it was a particularly rewarding accomplishment. In his role, Nick is responsible for ensuring all of the aircraft systems work together safely to execute various flight test points.
For his many achievements and over a decade of diverse aerospace engineering experience, Nick was recently named 2024 AIAA Rocky Mountain Section Professional Engineer of the Year. Continue reading here to learn more about what inspired Nick to pursue a career in aviation, his reflections on taking XB-1 from concept to the skies, and what’s next for the program.
Top Fly-in Destinations: The Pilot’s Perspective
With the right preparation and planning, licensed pilots gain convenient access to some of the most hard-to-reach corners of the earth. Regardless of what personally inspires a pilot to fly, for many individuals, flying means freedom and the opportunity to conquer a challenge.
This World Pilots’ Day, Boom employees reveal the fly-in destinations that have made earning a pilot’s license worth it. From the hair-raising routes to the backcountry adventures and vacation getaways, read more here to discover a few of Boom’s favorite pilot tales.
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