For the Billionaire with everything (including a MIG Fighter Jet) comes Quiet Supersonic Transport from Supersonic Aerospace International. This is the latest in high-net-worth individual’s toys.
J. Michael Paulson founded SAI in 2000 to fulfill his late father’s dream of making quiet supersonic flight a reality. His father, Allen E. Paulson, founder and former CEO of Gulfstream, understood his customers and their need to minimize travel time. SAI’s vision, plan and team, coupled with Lockheed Martin’s superior technical design, will make this concept a reality.
While only a concept at the moment, it looks like they are trying to get funding for the project. They have used Lockheed to work on the problem of Sonic Boom and they believe they have found it. This was a major issue in North America because of flight restrictions over the sonic signature of aircraft.
Most impressive is the travelling times for the jet. With a cruising speed of Mach 1.6 (an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 ER is 0.84 mach), means that it can fly from San Francisco to Auckland in about 8 hours.
This project is years from seeing fruition, especially as the funding has not been secured for the building of the aircraft and the numerous regulatory requirements. However at these prices for crude oil you can bet that the first port of call for it’s owners will be Dubai or Riyadh.
The Website has some great videos to watch. Note: People who can afford to buy these aircraft don’t travel in Ford Crown Victorias (or indeed Lincoln Town Cars).
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4 responses so far ↓
1 redbud // Jul 29, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Yeah, but don’t forget…money can’t buy happiness.
OR CAN IT.
2 range // Jul 30, 2006 at 1:45 am
It can’t but it can make life easier and free you.
3 Griffin Lilly Jr // Jul 30, 2006 at 3:19 am
Money does help and money can be used for good.
4 Kiwi Bloke // Jul 30, 2006 at 7:19 am
Money absolutely does not equate to happiness, but boy what a toy !!!
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