Will we ever see supersonic flight again without having to enlist?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/ ... d=14145762

http://www.aerionsupersonic.com/

A very much needed testosterone boost to a long since emasculated industry.

Neat, but hardly practical. I have a hard time believing anyone will shell out more $ than a G-Series plane to get 6-9 seats and an unproven airplane.

I'm wondering when manufacturers will start building the cockpit somewhere in the plane other than in the front where windows and visibility needs detract from performance. With current technology there is no need to have front windows. It seems that the design could be much cleaner without a front viewing cockpit.

Who will insure it? That limits financing options which limits the market viability

There is enough rich and ego in the world to support some sales of a supersonic private jet.


http://www.gizmag.com/windowless-cockpit-airbus/32816/

It seems that if you are willing to rely on computers to fly the airplane, you would accept reliance on cameras and displays screens to see outside. The regulations don't support that yet, but it seems not only plausible, but probable that will occur at some point.

Knowing Airbus, the screens will show soothing images when something goes wrong so as to not upset the crew.

Mike C.

I hear that Keith Gordon is on the waiting list to buy one. I'm sure he'll give us a PIREP.

Robert

He's waiting for me to write the POH. I should be done in 30 minutes or so.

If you watch the little video on their web site, the trip examples they note include destinations like Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sidney, Tokyo, etc.

Big oil money or Kingdom money will be lined up to buy these.

The reason I am not ordering one is that it's too long (170 feet) to fit in my hangar...

It looks like it needs about 15 thousand feet of runway too