Summary Boom Supersonic successfully completes the XB-1 demonstrator's second test flight. No major issues uncovered during the second flight, with first supersonic test flight slated before year-end. Boom Supersonic has made impressive progress towards returning supersonic travel to commercial aviation.
Boom Supersonic has successfully completed the XB-1 demonstrator's second test flight. The company remains on track with its testing program and is shooting for a supersonic flight test by the end of this year. Boom's XB-1 second test flight The XB-1 demonstrator, fondly referred to as "Baby Boom" due to its smaller one-third scale, completed its second test flight at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave on August 26th.
The aircraft flew for approximately 15 minutes and reached an altitude of 10,400 ft and speeds of 232 knots (277 mph) - at the controls was Boom Supersonic's Chief Test Pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, flying the XB-1 for the first time and in charge for the remainder of the aircraft's test program. Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, commented, "XB-1 had a fantastic second flight this morning. Initial results indicate we’ve successfully resolved the findings from Flight One and are excited to continue flight testing on the path to supersonic flight.
" During the flight, the demonstrator's landing gear successfully retracted and extended for the first time - other goals during the test included analyzing the plane's handling qualities.