

EP 140: Blake Scholl (Founder and CEO, Boom Supersonic) on Why Supersonic Flight Failed & How Boom is Bringing it Back
36 snips Apr 25, 2025
Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, is on a mission to revive commercial supersonic flight twice as fast as current jets. He discusses the failures of the Concorde and the stagnation in aviation innovation led by traditional management. Blake dives into regulatory challenges, the importance of diverse talent, and the innovative technologies behind 'boomless' flight. With a goal to transform air travel by 2029, he emphasizes the need for a resilient manufacturing sector and a collaborative approach with regulators to overcome obstacles in the aerospace industry.
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Concorde & Apollo Stalled Progress
- Concorde and Apollo programs were technological showcases without viable economics.
- Both initiatives paradoxically hindered long-term progress in their fields.
Founders Drive Aviation Innovation
- Founder-led innovation drives commercial progress while centralized government projects tend to stall it.
- After the 1960s, aviation innovation declined due to political and corporate focus shifts.
1971 NEPA Act Slowed Building
- The 1971 National Environmental Policy Act created permit delays that hinder physical infrastructure growth.
- Complex environmental reviews delay projects as much as construction time itself.