Boom’s XB-1 supersonic prototype starts taxi tests

After a 20-year hiatus, the return of commercial supersonic flight is another step closer after Boom Supersonic announced that its prototype faster-than-sound jet has undergone ground tests and won an experimental airworthiness certificate from the US FAA.

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Zapata’s long-range, buy ‘n’ fly eVTOL aircraft is a turbine hybrid

One of the most colorful characters in aviation has entered the electric VTOL space. Franky Zapata, best known for his death-defying high-speed Flyboard antics, has announced a hybrid eVTOL to go alongside his jet-powered, flippable flying deckchair.

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Continue ReadingZapata’s long-range, buy ‘n’ fly eVTOL aircraft is a turbine hybrid

Push-button flying car now authorized by both FAA and DMV

When most folk think about flying cars, we think of machines that seamlessly convert from street to air mode, that can take off and land vertically, and that can cruise in the air and on the highway. The US$789,000 Aska A5 promises to do it all.

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Outrageously ambitious VTOL flying car is FAA-approved for takeoff

The four-seat Aska A5 is the size of an SUV, but at the touch of a button it extends an array of electric propellers and converts to a cruise-capable eVTOL aircraft with an impressive hybrid range. The FAA has cleared it for flight testing.

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Whisper Aero claims radical advance in quiet, efficient electric jets

Whisper Aero says its electric aircraft propulsion systems are "20% more efficient and 100x quieter than anything else on the market." They're designed for drones, planes and possibly eVTOLs, and there's also a funky-looking concept plane.

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China’s record-breaking Mach 30 wind tunnel harnesses timed explosions

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced that the world's fastest hypersonic wind tunnel is up and running, a detonation-driven shock tunnel that'll allow aerodynamic testing for aircraft, spacecraft and missiles at air speeds up to Mach 30.

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MC One personal eVTOL rocks a Monaco-grade price tag

Monégasque aerial photography and drone show company McClic has successfully test-flown its MC One personal eVTOL, a simple but nice-looking coaxial octacopter with a pilot's seat on top. Anyone can fly it, given about 10 minutes' training.

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Trurest lets you faceplant your way to sleep on economy flights

There's precious little human dignity in economy airline travel to begin with; why not go all the way? The HypNap TruRest offers you the opportunity to attempt sleep with your face mashed into a padded cradle, and arrive red, wrinkly and refreshed.

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Bombardier moves to second prototype of its blended-wing Ecojet

Bombardier says it's stepping up prototype testing on its blended-wing Ecojet project, aiming to use its lift-generating fuselage, low-drag wingspan and propulsion advances to heavily reduce fuel burn and cut emissions in half.

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World’s largest and most efficient aircraft engine aces first tests

Rolls-Royce has completed the first ground tests on its massive UltraFan engine, claiming it's at least 10% more efficient than any other large aero engine in service today. This carbon/titanium beauty will roll out on airliners in the 2030s.

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