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Aerospace

Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

The Boom Overture is a US company that claims to be developing a super-fast commercial jet that can travel at Mach 1.7, or about 1,800 km/h, which is comparable to the speed of any fighter jet aircraft.

The program began at the beginning of 2016, and at the 2017 Paris Airshow, many airlines expressed interest in and commitment to purchasing the booming aircraft.

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We discover more about this airplane in this article. How this airplane was created as well as some of its interesting features.

Boom Supersonic Announces FlightSafety International As Overture Flight Training Partner(Opens in a new browser tab)

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The supersonic jet can accommodate 65 to 88 passengers in an aircraft with a 7,870-kilometre range. This supersonic aircraft travels great distances in fast succession. There are 500 potential routes, the business believes, that could provide healthy profits for airlines. By 2029, the airplane will be ready.

The Concorde-like delta wing structure of the aircraft will be replaced by a composite version. It is anticipated that it will be propelled by four dry or non-afterburning engines, each of which can provide between 67 and 89 kilonewtons of thrust. Once the engine is built, the aircraft takeoff sound will be evaluated and adjusted. The aircraft must comply with airport regulations.

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Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Courtesy : Boom Overture

1. Boom Engine development

Initially, Rolls Royce was the first option for the engine’s development; however, it eventually withdrew from the project. Now, Boom Company has identified an engine partner to help it develop its aircraft engine.

For use in Overture, the Boom Symphony, a two-spool medium-bypass turbofan engine, is currently being developed. The engine is intended to launch with a thrust of 35,000 pounds (160 kN), maintain Overture supercruise at Mach 1.7, and only burn sustainable aviation fuel.

Together with the Kratos subsidiary Florida Turbine Technologies for engine design, the General Electric subsidiary GE Additive for additive manufacturing consultancy, and StandardAero for maintenance, the engine will be developed. Boom hopes to start producing the engine at the Overture facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2024.

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Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Courtesy : Boom Overture

2. The latest GE Technology engine and Sustainable fuel.

The business is also integrating GE additive into the Symphony initiative, which is primarily focused on advancing the development of ultrafast and lightweight engines. The main engine designer is Florida Turbine Technologies, which has experience designing engines for aircraft powered by the F-22 and F-35 engines. Boom is driving the development of the engine by merging all of the concept creations.

The new propulsion system for Overture will produce no carbon emissions and adhere to Chapter 14 noise standards. Symphony is anticipated to give a 25% increase in time on the wing and much cheaper engine maintenance expenses as compared to derivative techniques, lowering overall aircraft operating costs for airline customers by 10%.

Gulfstream G700 and G800 earn EASA certification(Opens in a new browser tab)

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This airplane engine was created using additive manufacturing to minimize weight, the number of parts, and assembly costs. It also features a single-stage fan for quiet operation and a passively cooled high-pressure turbine.

Although it lacks an afterburner and is equipped with twin-spool and medium bypass turbofan engines, the aircraft will run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.

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3. Crew Training Program

Supersonic aircraft flying is difficult. Flying such aircraft requires a lot of experience due to the fact that they may attain speeds of up to 1.7 mach in a short period of time. Another amazing experience is further balancing all the airplane and engine thrust.

The Overture supersonic flight training and education program has chosen FlightSafety International (FSI) as its exclusive partner. The world’s top commercial aircraft producers and operators turn to FSI as the go-to source for professional aviation training and flight simulators.

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Airbus delivers its first aircraft produced in the USA.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Boom supersonic aircraft all it goes with the simulation performance before it hits the air as pilots and crews will go through all types of training. The FSI is will conduct the training program for the crews.

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FSI will develop a training program and curriculum for Overture pilots, mechanics, and cabin crew, specifically tailored for supersonic flight and operations. The comprehensive training program will leverage the expertise of professional FAA and EASA-qualified instructors and include state-of-the-art flight simulators and training environments. To support Boom’s commercial airline customers who conduct their own internal training, FSI will provide full-flight simulators.

Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Beautiful sky. Cumulonimbus cloud and cirrus cloud Courtesy : Boom Overture

4. State of the Art infrastructure.

Building the aircraft must be a required sophisticated plant and obviously, the superstructure since Boom supersonic has done the deal with Advanced integration technology as the tooling and automation provider and integrator for the Overture final assembly line. spans the design, fabrication, and installation of custom tooling for the Overture Superfactory.

AIT will provide an end-to-end system for the Superfactory, creating transportation and positioning tools for
fuselage assembly, wing assembly, wing-to-fuselage joining, and final assembly. Major hardware provided by AIT will include automated drilling machinery, mobile transport equipment, and setups for positioning and joining setups. Boom is prioritizing

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Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Courtesy : Boom Overture

5. Boom Overture Total orders.

Many orders were received before the flight’s completion. The majority of airlines believe that if it is successful, it will lead to new developments in air travel.

It was confirmed in December 2017 that Japan Carriers has pre-ordered up to 20 jets out of the 76 that five airlines had committed to buying. The CEO of Boom, Blake Scholl, predicts that 2,000 supersonic aircraft will link 500 cities and offers a one-way fare of £2,000 from London to New York that is similar to the current subsonic business class.

United Airlines announced on June 3, 2021, that it has inked a contract to buy 15 Overture aircraft with an additional 35 options, with plans to begin passenger service by 2029. American Airlines announced a deal to buy 20 Overture planes on August 16, 2022, with an additional 40 options.

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As of the right moment, it has received 35 aircraft orders from all across the world, and 171 aircraft commitment orders will be made once the flight begins accepting passengers. Boom Supersonic may anticipate roughly 206 aircraft in the near future, securing its position as a market leader for supersonic aircraft.

Supersonic flight will soon become a reality. Prepare to soar above the speed of sound.

Courtesy : Boom Overture

 

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons – Air Marshal GS Bedi’s Perspective

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons - Air Marshal GS Bedi's Perspective

Air Marshal GS Bedi, a renowned fighter jet pilot and experienced crew member, recently participated in a YouTube interview with Def Talks hosted by Aadi. During the interview, he provided insights into the recent Tejas aircraft crash in Rajasthan, which marks one of the first crashes involving an aircraft from the Tejas family since its production commenced 20 years ago.

Numerous questions have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the Tejas aircraft crash and the potential causes of failure. Air Marshal Bedi adeptly addressed these concerns by outlining possible scenarios that could have led to the crash. His expertise shed light on the complexities involved in such incidents and provided valuable perspective on the aviation community’s understanding of the event.

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At the outset, Tejas lacked a simulator and a trainer aircraft for initial training. However, pilots were provided with simulation trials before flying the Tejas aircraft. Initial reviews indicated stability during flight, with the aircraft maintaining a straight glide. However, there was an incident where the aircraft experienced an engine malfunction, prompting the pilot to eject safely.

Pilot Safe Ejections

The decision to eject was made as a precautionary measure, considering the aircraft’s low altitude and steep descent angle. With the aircraft’s altitude dropping rapidly, attempting to balance and land it was deemed too risky. Ejecting ensured the pilot’s safety, as deploying a parachute at such low altitudes could have been disastrous.

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He chose to eject to ensure a safer distance from the ground. The aircraft is at an angle of less than 3 degrees during the approach. At a height of 100 meters, the aircraft is nearly 20 times its length away from the ground. This means the touchdown point will be approximately 4 kilometers ahead.

However, as the altitude decreases, the approach becomes too short due to the rapid descent rate. Consequently, the pilot opts to eject rather than attempt to stabilize the aircraft for a ground landing. If he had not ejected, there’s a high probability that his parachute would have deployed at that low altitude.

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LCA Tejas engine Issue

Investigations revealed the engine malfunction was likely due to lubrication issues or other technical faults. Such split-second decisions underscore the potentially catastrophic outcomes that can result from technical failures.

The pilot involved was highly experienced and well-trained for airshow displays, suggesting timely decision-making. Nevertheless, accidents can stem from technical glitches, human errors, or unforeseen circumstances like bird strikes.

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Air Marshal Bedi emphasized the importance of pilots being trained for emergency situations, including ejecting from the aircraft when control is lost. Despite advancements in technology, technical issues remain unpredictable, necessitating ongoing learning and improvements in aircraft systems.

Today, the Tejas mk1A aircraft completed its inaugural flight at the Bangalore station, marking the dawn of a new, advanced version of the Tejas aircraft. This iteration boasts enhanced avionics and improved aircraft structure.

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Aerospace

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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Qantas Airbus A330 Makes Safe Landing After Engine Blowout

Woman spends tortuous three months trying to resolve huge Qantas errors

A Qantas Airbus A330 Aircraft, flight number QF781, has landed safely without incident in
Perth after the passengers on the Perth-bound flight reported hearing a ‘loud bang’ from one
side of the twin-engined plane engine. The Airbus A330 aircraft made a priority landing at
Perth Airport around 9:37pm local time on 25 March, arriving approximately 52 minutes
behind schedule.


Upon landing, emergency services met with the aircraft on the tarmac. However, the aircraft
taxied to the gate without assistance, with the passengers disembarking normally.
The ‘loud bang’ heard by passengers happened due to a mid-air engine blowout, therefore
resulting in the pilots having to manually shut off the affected engine, together with
requesting a priority landing into Perth Airport. Qantas also added in a statement that the
Airbus A330 aircraft was designed to operate with one engine too.

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Qantas QF781 is a daily scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth, utilising the Airbus A330
on the route. The Aircraft in question is VH-EBA, an approximately 21 years aircraft,
equipped with 2 GE CF6 engines according to airfleets.net. The Airbus A330 have been a
frequent regional workhorse in Qantas’ fleet, connecting major australian cities with major
destinations within Asia. the Airbus A330 is also used on high-density domestic routes,
similar to QF781, from Melbourne to Perth.

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Engine Issues – Should you be concerned?


While engine issues are highly uncommon due to the stringent checks and quality control on
each component within the engine, there might still be exceptional occasions where such
incidents happen. However, while recognising the risks of dual engines, Aircraft
Manufacturers and Organisations have actually came up with standards so as to ensure that
an aircraft can also land on a single engine, similar to what we saw on QF781.


One of the most well known standard is Extended-range Twin-engine Operations
Performance Standards (ETOPS) which is an acronym for twin-engine operation in an
airspace further than one hour from a diversion airport at a designated one engine
inoperable speed. This ensures that twin-engined aircraft could safely operate routes over
water or remote land without an alternative airport near the flight path, which once required
aircraft with 3 or 4 engines to fly on that route.

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In this case, the Airbus A330 has been certified to fly ‘Beyond ETOPS 180’, and have
received ETOPS 240 certification, which is a certification to enable the twin-engined aircraft
to fly for up to a maximum of 240 minutes with 1 engine inoperative in a cruise condition.
Currently, most twin-engined widebody aircraft in operation would generally have an ETOPS
certification of at least ETOPS 180, with the new Airbus A321LR also having ETOPS 180
certification, therefore enabling the narrowbody to fly long haul flights.

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Aerospace

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced his resignation amidst the ongoing 737 MAX crisis, signaling a significant top management shakeup at the aerospace giant.

While Calhoun will continue leading the company until the end of 2024, his decision comes amid mounting pressure following a series of setbacks, including the recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. This departure coincides with the retirement of Boeing Commercial President and CEO Stan Deal, who is succeeded by Stephanie Pope, the current Chief Operating Officer.

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The announcement, made by Larry Kellner, boeing products chairman, outlines a broader restructuring within the company’s leadership. Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing director since 2020 and former CEO of Qualcomm, will take over as chairman and lead the board in selecting a new CEO. This strategic move comes at a critical juncture as boeing airplanes
faces intense regulatory scrutiny and production constraints due to safety and quality issues.

The market’s initial response to the news was positive, with Boeing’s shares rising by 2 percent before regular trading. However, the boeing aircraft company stock had experienced a significant decline earlier in the year, reflecting investor concerns about boeing distribution aviall the ongoing challenges and uncertainties surrounding the 737 MAX program.

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Calhoun stressed the company’s commitment to transparency, safety, and quality in a letter to employees.“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he said.

“The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years.”

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