The next supersonic passenger aircraft is coming in 2017

It doesn’t come as a surprise that Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, is backing the arrival of the newest supersonic passenger aircraft. Branson partnered with aircraft production startup Boom to unveil the prototype XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator. Being able to make affordable supersonic flights have been a goal for Branson since the turbojet-powered Concorde retired back in 2003. The airliner promises 3.5-hour flights between New York and London for US$5,000.

Boom studied the Concorde was able to create from it a supersonic design that travels 2.6 times faster than current jetliners and has better fuel economy. Hardware comes from the likes of General Electric (engines), Honeywell (avionics), Tencate (carbon fiber), and Blue Force (composite structures). The plane can accommodate 45 to 55 passengers and gives spacious seating on each side with personal windows and overhead bins. The first XB-1 flight is scheduled to happen later in 2017.

Source: Mashable

Sir Richard Branson announces Virgin Mobile’s RE*Generation expanded youth initiative

By Sonya Davidson

This week, Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Mobile hosted an exclusive live concert event with The Arkells in Toronto to announce a new initiative to help at-risk and homeless youth. The Virgin Mobile RE*Generation social initiative, which began in 2008, will be re-focusing on programs with partners that will help youth develop skills needed to get, and keep, jobs.

There are 225,000 Canadian youth who are not in school and not working. Virgin Mobile also mentioned that there are also about 35,000 are in emergency shelters and 6000 youth living on the street.

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