Building A Supersonic Plane Company From The Ground Up

In a world where the sky's the limit, Blake Scholl is pushing the boundaries of aviation with a vision that seems to leap straight out of a sci-fi novel. As the founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, Blake is on a mission to bring back supersonic passenger travel, making the planet more accessible than ever before. In a recent podcast interview, Blake shared his journey from tech entrepreneur to aviation pioneer, offering insights that are as inspiring as they are ambitious.

A Passion Ignited

Blake's passion for flight was ignited in his 20s when he saw a Concorde in a museum. This iconic aircraft, which once flew passengers across the Atlantic at Mach 2, was a marvel of its time but ultimately fell victim to economic impracticality. The Concorde's demise left a void in the aviation industry, one that Blake was determined to fill.

"The future I want to live in is one where flights that are at least twice as fast as what we have today are totally retained, taken for granted," he remarked.

The Journey to Boom Supersonic

The journey to Boom Supersonic began with a simple question: Why did the Concorde fail? Blake discovered that the issue wasn't technological but economic. Armed with this insight, he set out to design a supersonic jet that could operate at a business-class price point. The result is the Overture, a supersonic airliner that promises to carry passengers at Mach 1.7 on 100% sustainable fuel, with the goal of taking to the skies by 2029.

From Tech to Aviation

Blake's path to aviation was anything but conventional. With a background in computer science, he started his career at Amazon and later co-founded a mobile startup. It wasn't until his 30s that he pursued his childhood love of planes, obtaining a private pilot's license and diving headfirst into the world of aerospace.

"If every founder just worked on the most ambitious thing they get their head around, everyone's going to be a lot happier and a lot more great things are going to get built," Blake mused.

Building the Dream Team

Building Boom Supersonic required more than just a great idea; it demanded a team of like-minded visionaries. Blake's approach to assembling his team was as innovative as his aircraft designs. He sought out young, ambitious engineers, many from SpaceX, who had yet to be "corrupted" by traditional aerospace thinking.

"Small, high-caliber teams can do things that big teams can't do," Blake explained, emphasizing the power of constraints to drive innovation.

Overcoming Challenges

The road to supersonic flight is fraught with challenges, but Blake's unwavering belief in the importance of his mission keeps him going.

"There are days where I question whether I'm the person who can pull this off. But there is never a day where I don't think it's worth giving it everything I've got," he said.

A Testament to Passion and Perseverance

Blake's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. It challenges aspiring founders to look beyond their credentials and dare to tackle the seemingly impossible.

"You may as well work on something that inspires you."

A Vision for the Future

This podcast episode is a must-listen for those intrigued by the promise of supersonic travel and the audacious spirit of its pioneers. It's a reminder that the future of flight is not just about reaching new heights but also about redefining what's possible.

Key Takeaways

Pursue Projects Aligned with Your Passions: Let your interests guide your career path.
Credentials Aren't Everything: Focus on learning and building a network.
Innovation Through Constraints: Small, focused teams can achieve significant breakthroughs.

Resources and References

The Concorde: Learn from the history of the iconic supersonic aircraft.
SpaceX: A model for innovation and team dynamics.
Khan Academy: A resource for learning foundational subjects like calculus and physics.

This episode serves as an inspirational call to action for anyone with an ambitious idea, proving that with the right mindset and team, even the sky is not the limit.