Flying faster than the speed of sound. Does that thrill you?

[DeeDeeDeVour]

In February 2019, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 (aka the 'Dreamliner') flying across the US exceeded Mach 1.

Elegant Dreamliner

(Officially, that flight didn't actually break the sound barrier.)

But, just imagine if it did and you were there when it happened.

Imagine being an unaware passenger on board that flight.

You only later learned about this, after the flight.

If such was a fact, would you have been thrilled to learn about that?

Supersonic Concord

I lost the chance to exceed the speed of sound when the Concord was still in service. Being on board a Boeing 787 flight going supersonic would have made me so proud.

I never heard of the Concord or even the Dreamliner but I am aware of supersonic flight. If I was on board such as flight, I would have felt thrilled about it.

I'm knowledgeable about aircraft & aviation history but I'd never care one bit about such a flight. It's just another flight to me.

This does not thrill or interest me one way or another.

[Lliam]

I voted 'A'. I would think it was cool. And I would have bragging rights.

I love airplanes. I've flown in various private planes, both single and twin engine.

A friend gave me a ride in his Gnat trainer. He had a test pilot friend of his take me up. That guy gave me a crazy ride. I also got to take the controls and roll it a few times. It was amazing to fly in a military jet, albeit, 1960s era. It feels totally different from a prop plane.

I got to go up in an open cockpit, bi-wing and do aerobatics.

So flying supersonic would be a bucket list item.

[Lliam]

Thanks, DeeDee. :-)

[DeeDeeDeVour]

You're welcome. :)

[caring__1]

It's more of a psychological thrill than a physical thrill. Had I not looked at my mach indicator, I wouldn't have even known I exceeded the speed of sound (whenever I did exceed mach 1). Like anything else, the first time tends to be more exciting than the 100th time.

[douride2]

I found this info on line.

The answer is no. The 787 is a widebody passenger aircraft capable of flying long distances at a cruise speed of 0.85 Mach (652 mph/1,050 kph). By design, the 787 can reach a maximum speed of 0.9 Mach (690 mph/1,110 kph)

[DeeDeeDeVour]

That's why I noted that "Officially, that flight didn't actually break the sound barrier."
It did, however, reach a "ground speed" of 767 mph.

[Paul_in_Indy]

I don’t understand your use of the word “officially.” It just plain did not. There is no question of anything official. —and what does the ground speed have to do with anything? The speed of sound varies between media and varies in the same fluid (such as the atmosphere) as temperature and density vary. None of that is connected to a ground speed.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

@Paul_in_Indy
Would it "please you" if I used the word "really" instead?
Furthermore, quoted from online research, "ground speed" is relative to this since ground speed is the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground. It is corrected for wind. It decreases with a headwind and increases with a tailwind. It does apply.

[Paul_in_Indy]

I understand how ground speed works, but not how it relates to the speed of sound. Mach numbers are not a set scale of miles per hour. There is no “speed of sound” equivalent in ground speed. …nor do I understand what makes a ground speed the “official” speed of sound. You have lost me entirely. But that’s OK. You are obviously enjoying the idea of a Mach 1 ground speed. Go ahead and have fun with it.

[abc3643]

All I know is that, between 2016 and 2017, I've killed in multitudinous heinous ways tens of thousands of non-existent passengers flying simulations of Boeing 787 Dreamliners at 40,000 ft in altitude.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

If you are flying faster than the speed of sound what happens if you press the (MECH) button?

[AviatorTom]

Commercial aircraft never break the sound barrier. With a strong tailwind, their ground speed can be faster than the speed of sound but their airspeed is at best mach 0.85.

[Massageman]

Meh. Cool, but not a deal-maker or deal-breaker. If a current model "non-SS" plane went SS, it was likely due to a high tailwind, anyway. Hopefully, going SS once or twice wouldn't harm the plane's structurals.

[HighValue]

I'd rather fly faster than a tall building and be larger than a speeding bullet. :P

[AngryCarl]

I think the supersonic option would definitely be nice on long haul flights. But speed alone doesn't thrill me since you don't get any sense of speed when you're so far above the ground. I'm much more interested in the quality of the food.

[SnowedIn]

I desperately wanted to fly on Concorde. Never had the cash to do it.

[jjj101010]

I didn’t think they can exceed the speed of sound over populated areas, the sonic boom can shatter windows. They usually did it over the ocean.

[Jamie05rhs]

Virgin Atlantic is still a thing? I thought they shut down.

[Charliefretz329]

Speed is definitely a thrill! Better if you can see things moving past you out the windows

[NathanDavis]

would love it... if it were at an F-15

[DeeDeeDeVour]

The F-15 Eagle is not accessible to the public.

[NathanDavis]

I won't go as the public... lol

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Why/How so? Are you an Air Force Pilot or Astronaut?

[NathanDavis]

the F-15 is a two seater, right... ?

then I could just be notorious enough to be invited by the Air Force, for a ride... it happens all the time!!

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Years ago, I used to hear stories that the Russian AF used to charge somewhere between US$7K & US$14K for a weekend training with ultimately a flight in the back seat of a MIG or Sukhoi.

[NathanDavis]

a whole weekend? that's a steal lmfao...

although, always loved the F15... would never touch a MiG, lol

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I also heard that some MiG & Sukhoi pilots would demonstrate the "Cobra" maneuver while the paying passenger was on board.

I also like the F-15. My dad used to fly Eagles when he was still an active Fighter Pilot before getting promoted.

Meanwhile, I have a brother in the USN who currently flies a Super Hornet (F/A-18) and another brother in the USMC who's now training on a Lightning II (F-35).

[NathanDavis]

I have 15k waiting...

kidding, lol... but really, if I had a bucket list... this would be among the very top

[Rosexøxø]

Anyone who has nerve to step into one and say “hey I want to try that!” Has some serious guts.

I could neverrrr

[Rosexøxø]

@NathanDavis I don't know what kind of planes these all are but I do know the you tubers and trick shot legends: Dude Perfect coincidentally made a bucket list and sort of documented it as a series.

They played golf and went fishing on a naval ship and took a free ride with the Blue Angels I think. I’ll link it if I find it.

If they could do it. It’s possible lol

Though, they had a puke bag 👀👐 that may say a little something something lmao

[NathanDavis]

@Rosexøxø definitely for a very few... what it takes to be a pilot, lol

[dustybiker]

Only if I was able to be one of the pilots.

[Jupiter1]

I would have been thrilled. 😮

[FinalFantasyBro]

I rather take a cruise ship instead

[Luopio27]

In the airplane, you dont even feel that speed.

[driven159]

speed is my friend no such thing as too fast

[Yellovv]

I am really wondering concord..