When I was a child, my uncle told me about an aircraft that flew at supersonic speeds, near the edge of the earth’s atmosphere. I was astonished by the sheer power and beauty of the The Concorde, and had an immense desire to learn more about supersonic flight. Now in 2012, the prospects of supersonic flight returning to commercial consumers becoming more feasible, I am overwhelmed with excitement.
In 1969, the Concorde 001, a supersonic aircraft, set off on its first official trip, and by doing so marked a monumental page in the history of aviation. The Concorde was used by Air France and British Airways until 2003, when the fleet was retired. The fleet of extraordinary supersonic air crafts maneuvered the trans-Atlantic trip from Europe to the United States in just over three hours, as opposed to the typical eight hours it would take for a sub-sonic air craft.
The fleet of Concordes were retired in 2003 due to cost and a particularly devastating accident in 2000. On July 25, 2000, a Concorde craft at Charles de Gaulle International Airport caught fire just seconds after taking off, killing all 100 passengers, 9 crew members, and four people on the ground, as it crashed into a hotel in Gonesse, France. The accident is blamed on a piece of sharp metal that fell off of a Continental plane that ruptured one of the tires on the Concorde, and consequently punctured a fuel tank and damaged the under carriage of a wing. This would be Concorde’s only accident, and it would be enough to take down the fleet.
In 2010, Boeing and Lockheed Martin have submitted plans to NASA for updated versions of supersonic air crafts. Could these aviation giants bring back supersonic flight for the use of average consumers? Here is a look at how making Supersonic flight available to consumers could prove to be a financially smart move.
Supersonic Flight Is Extremely Desirable to Consumers
If supersonic flight were made available to consumers, they would not only experience shorter flights, but they would also likely experience a safer trip, enjoy the spectacular experience of flying 60,000 feet in the air and be treated to a one of a kind journey. When Concorde was still operating it was not only fast, but safe and extremely luxurious. There was only class (first class) and travelers were treated to an upscale dining experience as they zipped through sky at maximum speeds. When you consider flight times alone, supersonic flight is sure to draw in many business class travelers who are looking to cut down on travel time when traveling abroad.
Expand Upon the Original Travel Routes
The original Concorde had only one route, from Europe to the United States. If supersonic flight could be approved for travel to other regions such as the South Pacific, Africa, and beyond, major money could be made just from business class travelers alone. Currently the red-eye flight from Detroit to Nagoya, Japan takes over 12 hours. Could you imagine cutting this flight time in half? That is exactly what supersonic flight allows. By employing flight routes from the United States and Europe to other regions such as Africa and Asia, a lot of money could be made just when you consider business travelers alone.
Monopoly on the Market
If supersonic flight is only taken on by one or two corporations; they could easily have a monopoly on the aviation market. Why take an 8 hour flight to London, when a supersonic aircraft can get you there in 3.5 hours? The corporations that take on supersonic flight will have a major advantage over carriers that do not by offering an exciting form of travel that saves time, shows you the world like you’ve never seen it before. Carriers that do not offer supersonic flight could very likely see their sales drop dramatically, as the carriers that offer supersonic travel will profit largely.
Financial, Safety and Environmental Concerns Play a Major Role
The Concorde was considered to be incredibly safe, and had only one accident during its 34 year run, and it occurred on the ground. Supersonic crafts are designed differently than standard commercial airplanes and could reach heights of up to 60,000 feet. Flying at this altitude means that you are flying well over weather and turbulent air space. Another major concern with the Concorde was that it became very expensive to maintain the aging fleet. Technology has advanced significantly in the 9 years, and with the advancements, aviation experts could easily create a model that is safer, more fuel efficient and likely, faster than the original Concorde was.
U.S. Legislation Needs to be Updated to Allow for Supersonic Flight over American Air Space
Current U.S. legislation does not allow for supersonic flight over American air space. If the United States Government could make a few exceptions for airports on the far-most east and west coasts, the aviation industry could make a huge profit. The reason why supersonic flight is not allowed over American air space is due to the sonic boom that is heard from the ground when an air craft accelerated from subsonic flight to supersonic flight. Air craft manufacturers are working to find a way to minimize the sound of the sonic boom from the ground in the hopes that supersonic flight would be welcomed in the future.
Significant Financial Risk Involved, But the Rewards Would be Even Greater
Developing a fleet of supersonic jets would be extremely expensive, but the rewards could absolutely outweigh the cost. If the supersonic flight service is planned out carefully, the aviation industry could profit heavily. Expand flight routes, target business class travelers and the companies they work for, and make the flights as cost-efficient as possible. While manufacturing fleets of supersonic air crafts can be extremely expensive, the possible rewards that await far outweigh the financial drawbacks.
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