Hypersonic aircraft.

@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
March 3, 2018 5:42am CST
I have just read an article that China is attempting to build a hypersonic aircraft that could take you from say Bejing to New York in a matter of ours rather than the 13 hours it currently takes. There are so many problems with flying at very fast speed including sonic booms as the speed breaks the sound barrier, the heat of the friction on the body of the aircraft not to mention the cost per passenger. The only commercial aircraft that was in regular service was Concorde which was a joint Anglo-French project. It first went into service in 1969. They were all taken out of service following a crash in Paris just minutes after take off when debris from another aircraft pierced the fuel tanks on take off. Adaptations were initially made to the fuel tanks but its fate was sealed.They were finally taken out of service in 2003.There are 18 dotted around as museum pieces in the UK, France, Germany the USA and Barbados. I don't think Concorde ever made a profit and it was quite expensive to fly on. Even more than a First class fare. The fastest time London to New York was just under 3 hours at a speed of Mach 2.04 = 1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h. The noise of Concorde taking off was ear splitting. It only sat 100 passengers. The Chinese hypersonic planes are aiming for speeds of around Mach 5 and above. They will look similar to Concorde but with extra wings and extra hypersonic engines. Would you like to fly at hypersonic speeds?
10 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
3 Mar 18
I am sure that Concorde never made a profit and it was the most uncomfortable and noisy plane I have ever experienced. Horrible travel from Paris to New York, but we came back using a normal Jet. We had enough of Concorde.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
A friend of mine has been on it twice and she loved it. Should have flown British Airways Anna
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
3 Mar 18
@garymarsh6 I am claustrophobic and I hate noise, the planes of British Airways were exactly the same I suppose. A client of my husband paid for the travel to New York for the inauguration of his new offices. He came back with the Concord, my husband, I and his assistant came back in a Pan Am Jumbo.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
@LadyDuck Oh well Anna at least you have experienced it which many people have not. I would have given anything to have gone on it but it wasn't to be.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Mar 18
I didn't realise it took so few passengers. I'm not sure I'd want to go so fast although it would cut down the time it would take for us to get to Ireland.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
Me too. I see the flight as part of a holiday so I am in no hurry to get anywhere! I love flying!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Mar 18
@garymarsh6 Mostly it's okay but sometimes Perth to Dubai or wherever can get to be a bit tiring after the first eight hours or so. It depends on the leg room you have too.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
@JudyEv I flew to Bangkok one time and felt like I could have carried on to Australia but I love flying so no comparison really when I know a lot of people don't like it.
2 people like this
@OreoBrownie (3755)
• Commerce, Georgia
3 Mar 18
It just might not be meant to be. I wouldn't want a super sonic plane flying over my house.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
They are a tad Noisy. You could always hear Concorde coming! As regular as clockwork!
@xFiacre (12597)
• Ireland
3 Mar 18
@garymarsh6 If I got to China that quickly I wouldn't be certain that I had actually arrived. It's just not right. I'd prefer to take the slow boat to China and stop at lots of ports along the way
2 people like this
• Philippines
3 Mar 18
so that i really feels like a journey
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
Yes me too I find the flight all part of the holiday I don't want to rush my holidays but I guess it will be good for business people and rich tycoons not us mere mortals so I wouldn't worry too much about it however fascinating it is! China is making great strides in their travel and transport systems!
@DianneN (246821)
• United States
4 Mar 18
I don't mind flying at all, but a long trip from New York to China or South American can be grueling. If this proves safe and tested well, I'd definitely take it. The Concorde always frightened me.
@off124 (127)
3 Mar 18
It's great. Let see how it works
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar 18
It would have to be flying for a while before I would get on it! I don't mind flying at all I find it fascinating and exciting!
• China
3 Mar 18
Hope we will be able to build it before long,though there will be a long way to go.
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
3 Mar 18
No not at all. It may be risky and also won't be economical to travel through it.
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
3 Mar 18
well I am not sure if I do. your right.I almost forgotten about them.
@Kandae11 (53679)
3 Mar 18
I remember the Concorde . Unless I had to fly and that was the only way - then I would be forced to use it. Otherwise I dislike high speed transport - including trains.