Second Flight Of XB-1 Completed On 24th of August Boom Supersonic updated on the progress of the XB-1 program. After the monumental first flight back on March 22, 2024, the second flight has now taken place and carried forward the test program further. During this flight, XB-1’s landing gear was successfully retracted and extended for the first time, which is typical of second test flights. Additional objectives for this flight test were for the XB-1 team to assess aircraft handling qualities and activate a new digital stability augmentation system – or roll damper – for the first time. This roll damper was implemented to improve handling qualities based on learnings from first flight.
"XB-1 had a fantastic second flight -this- morning. Initial results indicate we’ve successfully resolved the findings from Flight One and are excited to continue flight testing on the path to supersonic flight," said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. "I’m proud of the team. Today’s flight is another step toward the return of supersonic passenger travel." This was the first flight in XB-1 for Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, who flew the T-38 chase plane for XB-1’s inaugural flight. Brandenburg is the pilot who will be at the controls for the remainder of the test program, including when XB-1 has its first supersonic flight.
With the second flight Boom Supersonic test teams added tufting to one of the wings for windflow measurements. The tufting was applied to XB-1’s right wing to observe and evaluate the direction and strength of airflow across the wing, verifying its aerodynamic characteristics. During the second flight the XB-1 registered N990XB, flew for approximately 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,400-feet and speeds of 232-knots (277 mph).
From here now the flight envelope will be gradually expanded. This is to confirm the aircrafts' performance and handling qualities under and above Mach 1. This includes in-flight checks of all systems, as well as multiple test points demonstrating safe margin to flutter (or aeroelastic vibration) boundaries. Although supersonic speeds are still a while off each test will be ramping up towards that goal. The sequencing of test flights will increase through this next phase of testing with approximately 10 flights planned before reaching supersonic speeds. For more information: BOOM Supersonic Centennial Airport, Dove Valley, Colorado www.boomsupersonic.com ***
