Has anyone in here flown supersonic?

[Frank N. O.]

There's been a lot of talk about the mile-high club, but personally I'd rather be a member of the mach-1 club, or supersonic-club or whatever one might call it, for pilots that have flown an aircraft beyond mach-1, anyone in here?

I've also started thinking, there's been several western and eastern projects for a supersonic civilian private aircraft, both single or twin-seaters and supersonic biz-jets, has anyone of these even made it to the flying test-stage?

Frank

[Fabo]

Only civilian planes able to go supersonic are Tu-144 and Concorde, both retired by now, as far as I know. Then there is only Citation X with Mmo 0.96 or so.

I know that there are plans of for expale Tu-444 supersonic bizjet based on knowledge gained with the 144, but it is hardly yet about to be build as prototype.

[Baradium]

Frank, if you're thinking of the same two seater as I am, I don't believe it's supposed to be supersonic.

[Franz]

There was a prototype for a civilian twin seater which was estimated to fly Mach 1.4, but never did. Bede BD-10
But if you have enough money, you can fly supersonic here.

[Turbomallard]

Every once in a while somebody seems to announce that they're building a supersonic biz jet, then it seems to disappear (and we're not talking stealth here, if you catch my drift) and you never hear about it again. About a year and a half ago another one popped up that seemed more credible. I knew one of the engineers working on it, and it was interesting to hear about the technical challenges they were facing, mainly because supersonic military jets don't have to be designed for comfort and a SST biz jet of course would have to have lots of luxury for the type of clientele that would be flying on them. When I saw the guy a couple of months ago I asked him where this project was at, and he rolled his eyes and said it was dead as far as he was concerned. Still, there are some cool videos and things still up.

http://www.saiqsst.com/

TM

[undatc]

There is some place down in AZ or NM that also offers rides in old fighters.  Cant seem to recall the name of the place.  On my list of things to do life, as well as race an indy car.

[TheSoccerMom]

The one and only time was in the SuperSonic Twin Otter, Frank, and it went by so fast, I can't even remember any of the flight. 

 

                    

[undatc]

The one and only time was in the SuperSonic Twin Otter, Frank, and it went by so fast, I can't even remember any of the flight. 

 

                    

I could see that.  Maybe strap a few JATO's to the side and who knows what could happen....

[Frank N. O.]

Frank, if you're thinking of the same two seater as I am, I don't believe it's supposed to be supersonic.

Is that the one that looks like a smaller version of a F-5 Freedom Fighter?
I have indeed seen the Bede on tv several years ago on Discovery, I just thought there were others.

I didn't know there was such a place in USA with fighters, how many millions does it cost to get a ride in one of those?

Hmm, a Twin Otter with JATO packs  The Twin Otter's wings + JATO packs = helicopter take-off! But JATO packs are for take-off only and not prolongued use right?

Frank

[Fabo]

I do not think it is too heavy on bucks... L-39 jet trainer can go by for some 200.000USD, then rehaul... and it does not eat that much at all.

[undatc]

Well this is ironic.  Look at what popped up in my avweb mailer today..

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/bizav/1013-full.html#196748

Aerion SST Orders Take Off

Aerion Corp. took its first order for a supersonic business jet just a few weeks ago, at the Dubai Air Show, but announced on Tuesday that it has now secured orders for 19 jets at $80 million each, totaling over $1.5 billion in commitments. "Considering our marketing effort has barely begun, this is a tremendous validation of the aircraft’s appeal," Aerion Vice Chairman Brian Barents said in a news release. The company said it expects to recruit a manufacturing partner by 2008 and have a certified jet in service by 2014. ExecuJet CEO Niall Olver, who is working with Aerion to help sell the jet, said: "Based on the homework we did prior to entering into this agreement with Aerion, we are not surprised at the number of people coming forward. This is just the tip of the iceberg."

The Aerion supersonic business jet was formally unveiled in October 2004. Since then, the design has been under development with computer models and wind tunnel tests. The jet is designed to cruise at speeds up to 1.15 Mach over land without producing a boom on the ground, and at speeds up to 1.6 Mach in other areas. Over the continental U.S., where regulations require speeds below Mach 1, the aircraft can cruise efficiently just below the speed of sound. The aircraft will seat eight to 12 passengers and have a range in excess of 4,000 nautical miles, the company says.

[airtac]

and it does not eat that much at all.

YEAH, compared to what?

[Frank N. O.]

Well that was interesting, I think I've heard about that one (judging by it's look), it uses normal subsonic jet engines that can work in supersonic speed because of the design of the cowling right?

80 million bucks? I think I'll stick with a retired fighter.

Frank