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Boeing Sonic Cruiser Project Shelved
jonerik writes "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that Boeing is set to announce the cancellation of its Sonic Cruiser project tomorrow; not because the technology wasn't mature enough, but because the company was unable to make the case for an airliner that would fly at just under the speed of sound in the airline industry's post-9/11 business environment. Too bad, too. It was a very cool-looking plane. Instead, the company will focus on a new ultra-efficient airliner - codenamed 'Yellowstone' - that will look very much like its existing 767 and 777 models. The new aircraft is expected to be ready to enter service in 2008, two years after Airbus' mammoth 555-seat A380 is expected to be ready for service."
Cool-looking projects should never be canceled.
I can't wait until you can fly around on your own personal missile like in the Simpsons.
Why? It would seem to me that this would be the perfect time to sell people on ways to save travelers time, what with all the delays our new "security" has created.
A plane that goes faster makes up for lines at the gate that are getting longer and longer.
Is this truly the only Earth I can live on?
"What...people want AFFORDABLE air travel, not super-cool concept planes? Who do they think we are--Airbus?"
This is my post. There are many others like it. If you don't like what you read here, go try one of the others.
"Explosion-resistant cargo bay to enhance survivability should a bomb make it on board."
They could use steel reenforced concrete. It would be impervious.
-B
Come on now, don't blind us with facts here...
You ARE better because you got there 5 minutes sooner. You're better looking, better in bed, smarter, faster, more fun at parties, richer, and have more hair on your head. You car is more expensive, you house appreciates in value faster, you read more books for pleasure. You can program a computer. Caffeine doesn't affect your ability to sleep unless you choose for that to happen. Your shit doesn't stink. All your decisions result in ever increasing profits, so you'll never be fired.
So step right up to that line reserved exclusively for pass cards numbers 1-30 and take your place as one of the elites of our society. You surely are *beautiful* today!
If tits were wings it'd be flying around.