Y Combinator Startup Podcast
Building A Supersonic Plane Company From The Ground Up
Feb 14, 2025
Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, is redefining air travel by working to revive supersonic passenger flights. He shares insights on creating the XB1, the first independently developed supersonic airplane. Blake discusses his transition from tech at Amazon to aerospace, revealing lessons learned from the Concorde's failure. He highlights the importance of a diverse team and innovative solutions in addressing skepticism around supersonic travel. Get ready for a future where flying from NY to London in just a few hours may become a reality!
13:45
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Quick takeaways
- Blake Scholl transitioned from a software engineering background to aviation by leveraging innovative thinking to develop the XB-1 supersonic jet.
- Boom Supersonic aims to revolutionize air travel by making supersonic flights economically viable and accessible, targeting a 2029 launch for passenger service.
Deep dives
The Dawn of Supersonic Travel
The XB-1 represents a significant milestone in aviation as the first independently developed supersonic jet, designed to pave the way for future supersonic passenger travel. This prototype aims to demonstrate all necessary lessons to ensure safety for future commercial planes, with the project ultimately evolving into the Overture, which will accommodate around 65 passengers and travel at Mach 1.7. A major innovation includes a solution to mitigate sonic booms, allowing for overland flights—a key factor that limited past supersonic endeavors. The ambitious goal is to initiate passenger flights by 2029, marking a revival of a travel experience once exemplified by the Concorde.
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