CEO Blake Scholl on Boom's prototype reaching mach 2.2 by 2017

TL;DR

Startup company Boom plans to build a supersonic passenger aircraft at a lower cost than previous projects like the Concorde, with a smaller prototype set to fly next year.

Transcript

so I like to tell people that we can build the entire company and get to break even got it for less money than uber races and around okay but it's still a lot of money but it's not an obtainable amount of money and so you know you approach it like a start-up and you do it sequentially like that we're flying next year with a subscale prototype which... Read More

Key Insights

• 💥 Boom plans to build a more affordable and efficient supersonic passenger aircraft by employing a startup approach and prioritizing efficiency.
• 👍 The company aims to prove the feasibility of their design with a subscale prototype that will be able to achieve speeds of Mach 2.2.
• 💌 Boom has already received interest from potential buyers, with 25 letters of intent, indicating a market demand for supersonic travel.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Boom plan to build a supersonic aircraft at a lower cost than previous projects?

Boom uses a startup approach, hiring a smaller number of talented individuals and keeping them close to the hardware to execute projects faster and at a lower cost. They prioritize efficiency and cost-effectiveness in their operations.

Q: When will the smaller version of Boom's prototype be able to fly?

The smaller prototype is set to fly at the end of next year, approximately 18-20 months from the time of the interview.

Q: How many people will the subscale prototype be able to accommodate?

The subscale prototype will have enough room for a pilot and one passenger.

Q: What will be the deposit and cost of the final production aircraft?

The deposit for ordering a Boom aircraft is projected to be slightly more than $1,000, similar to the deposit for a Tesla Model 3. The estimated price for the final aircraft is $200 million.

Q: What engine technology will Boom be using?

The prototype aircraft will fly with an off-the-shelf general electric engine. For the production aircraft, an adaptation of a current commercial engine will be used.

Q: How has engine technology changed compared to the Concorde era?

Engine technology has significantly improved over the past 20 years. Concorde used afterburners, which were inefficient. Today's engines are more powerful, fuel-efficient, and technologically advanced.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Boom aims to build a supersonic passenger aircraft that is more affordable and efficient than previous projects like the Concorde.

• The company will first test a subscale prototype that can reach speeds of Mach 2.2, setting speed records.

• Boom has already received 25 letters of intent from potential buyers and plans to start taking orders once the prototype is proven successful.