February 15th, 2008
This is not a Blimp. It’s a sort of flying Queen Mary 2 that could change the way you think about air travel. It’s the Aeroscraft, and when it’s completed, it will ferry pampered passengers across continents and oceans as they stroll leisurely about the one-acre cabin or relax in their well-appointed staterooms.
Unlike its dirigible ancestors, the Aeroscraft is not lighter than air. Its 14 million cubic feet of helium hoist only two thirds of the craft’s weight. The rigid and surprisingly aerodynamic body-driven by huge rearward propellers-generates enough additional lift to keep the behemoth and its 400-ton payload aloft while cruising. During takeoff and landing, six turbofan jet engines push the ship up or ease its descent.
February 13th, 2008
With 10,000 private jets flying in the U.S., a few billionaires are signing up for something roomier - jumbo jets that can be outfitted as mobile mansions.
WSJ’s Wealth Report highlights on one such client, a Middle Eastern head of state, who shelled out $300 million on the notorious Airbus 380, an aircraft which is running way behind in its production schedule. The unidentified buyer, will spend an extra $100 million to turn the craft into a more exclusive conveyance which Airbus eloquently calls “The Flying Palace”.
But why such opulence? according to New York based “jet-interior designer” Edése Doret; “You can host an elegant dinner party on the ground in a third-world country, after you bid your guests a fond farewell, you close the door and head home.”
February 12th, 2008
This is the Aerion Supersonic Business Jet, the first private plane that will fly at 1.6 Mach.
The first unit has just been purchased by Sheikh Rashid, the ruler of Dubai. This bird will be able to fly the Ellisons, Jobs and Gores of this world from Paris to New York in just over 4 hours, so even while it has a $80,000,000 price tag, there will be no demand problems for it.
The aircraft specs are amazing: Thanks to its design, the Aerion Supersonic Business Jet will be able to cruise at 1.15 Mach over land without producing any boom on the ground.
