Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Last week, NASA cleared the way for final assembly of the $248 million X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) demonstration aircraft. The X-59 is being developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, and is part of NASA’s integrated aviation systems program’s low-boom flight demonstration project.

 


The aircraft is shaped to mitigate the loudness of sonic booms reaching the ground and will be flown over select U.S. cities to gather data from sensors and people on the ground. Data gathered from the flights will be used to help regulators establish new rules to enable commercial supersonic air travel over land. Supersonic flight over land by civil aircraft is currently banned in the U.S. and much of the rest of the world. Aircraft manufacturers have repeatedly said establishing&nbsp;those regulations is the key to enabling development of&nbsp;a new generation of supersonic aircraft for business aviation and airlines.

 


Final X-59 assembly and systems integration, including the cockpit external visibility system, is slated for 2020, with first flight expected in 2021.&nbsp;Bob Pearce, NASA associate administrator for aeronautics, said the X-59 is on schedule and on track. “We have everything in place to continue this historic research mission for the nation’s air-traveling public,” he said.&nbsp;

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.

NASA Clears Final Assembly of Low-boom Demonstrator

NASA has approved final assembly of the $248 million X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) demonstration aircraft. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

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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.

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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