Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Aerion Supersonic wrapped up low- and high-speed wind tunnel testing for its redesigned Mach 1.4 AS2 business jet, accumulating the equivalent of 78,000 nm flown and hundreds of simulated flight hours at facilities in Europe and North America. The testing, along with digital modeling, enabled Aerion engineers to assess more than 200,000 data points to validate the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft and keep the program on target for component manufacturing to begin in 2022 and AS2 assembly in 2023.

 


The tests involved an evaluation of the full operational envelope of the AS2, including takeoff and landing, subsonic cruise, "boomless" supersonic cruise, and dive speed. In addition, the AS2 design was tested for operational conditions, including the deployment of landing gear and wing icing, along with handling qualities.

 


Aerion worked in conjunction with the French Office of National Aerospace Research in Modane, France, on <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-09-10/aerion-kicks-wind-tunnel-testing-as2">the high-speed testing</a>. This testing assessed stability and control at transonic and supersonic speeds over more than 1,000 cycles and the equivalent of 72,000 nm flown.

 


In combination with the wind tunnel testing, Aerion has conducted digital modeling through the use of aerodynamic optimization tools developed by its subsidiary, Aerion Technologies, in Palo Alto, California.

 


Calling the digital modeling and wind tunnel testing complementary, Aerion director of system test and evaluation Robert "Bob" Lewis said, “This testing is an important validation step in the development of the AS2, allowing us to collect a high volume of data in a short time through the full operational envelope of the aircraft to ensure our design exceeds performance expectations.”

 


According to Aerion, this combination eliminates a need for a demonstrator aircraft and accelerates the final stage of validation. “The conclusion of this phase of the development program is a major milestone for Aerion and the AS2,” explained Aerion chairman, president, and CEO Tom Vice. “In 2023, when we start manufacturing at Aerion Park [in Melbourne, Florida], the first AS2 we build will be a production-specification aircraft. This key phase of testing validates our aerodynamic assumptions and tells us that the AS2 will achieve all of our performance expectations and, in doing so, takes us a significant step closer to first flight.”

 


Plans call for Aerion to fly the aircraft in the 2025 timeframe, with certification and entry-into-service later in the decade.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Aerion Completes AS2 Wind Tunnel Testing

The completion of wind tunnel testing, along with digital modeling work, moves Aerion's AS2 supersonic jet closer to production.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

These airliner business jets might be more affordable than you think compared to purpose-built private aircraft.

Does a Boeing Business Jet or Airbus Corporate Jet Fit Your Travel Needs?

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Long-serving executive retains his position as CEO of Dassault Aviation 

Éric Trappier Takes the Reins as Head of Dassault Group

Exhibitor list and conference agenda will be unveiled soon

EBACE Organizers Promise New Look for European Show

Globally, operations were flat for 2024, Jefferies reports

Bizjet Departures Tick Up in Dec., Remain Even for Year

Matt Thurber

Company's backlog is 79 Falcons, and 2024 orders reached 26

Dassault Delivers 5 More Falcon Business Jets in 2024

Curt Epstein

The OEM saw a 15-unit increase from 2023

Embraer Executive Jets Finishes Off 2024 Strong

AmyWilder

Aircraft ready for immediate operations in U.S.

Dassault Falcon 6X Delivered in U.S. with Nimbl Support

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

In this article

Aerion AS2

More In Aircraft