By Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo
Boom Supersonic announced that Scott Powell has joined as Senior VP of Symphony, the propulsion system for Overture. Powell will lead the development, industrialization, certification, and integration of Symphony, bringing four decades of propulsion leadership experience.
Powell spent 38 years at Boeing before joining Boom. He led the Engineering Propulsion team for the Dreamliner, overseeing design, development, test, build, and business management. He also managed propulsion-integrated product teams for airframes such as KC-46 Tanker and Joint Strike Fighter. Recently, he led the Propulsion Integrated Product Team for the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program.
During the announcement, Blake Scholl, Boom’s founder, and CEO, shared that they have achieved significant progress on Symphony. He also expressed his excitement over including Scott, who brings valuable leadership and experience overseeing certifications for various civil and military propulsion systems. This addition further strengthens their path forward with Symphony, and they are looking forward to the positive impact he will bring to the team.
In December 2022, Boom announced the development of the Symphony propulsion system designed for its Overture supersonic airliner. The engine is designed to provide 25% more time on the wing and a 10% reduction in operating costs. Boom has partnered with Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), GE Additive, and StandardAero to develop Symphony.
In a recent statement, Scott Powell, the new Senior Vice President of Symphony at Boom, expressed his excitement for the future of sustainable supersonic travel. Powell highlighted the importance of developing an engine customized specifically for Overture, acknowledging the enormous potential it holds for the industry. He also expressed his eagerness to work alongside the team responsible for developing the propulsion system to power this revolutionary form of travel.
Boom shared several milestones for its Symphony program at the June 2023 Paris Air Show. Boom unveiled the 3D printed 1/3 scale model of the Symphony, whose technical specifications include:
- Two-coil turbofan engine, medium bypass, no afterburner
- 35,000 lb thrust
- Optimized for 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- FAA Part 33 and EASA CS 33 compliant
- ICAO Chapter 14 noise certification
Boom continues to make strides as it expands its global supplier network, which already includes Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, Flight Safety International, GE Additive, and StandardAero, consolidates the configuration of the Overture systems and moves toward production. Additionally, Boom announced an expanded partnership with FTT to assemble initial production units for ground and flight tests and certification at its facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Last month the Centennial, Colorado-based company announced structural supply agreements with three major aerospace companies for its Overture supersonic aircraft at the Paris Air Show 2023. Boom has signed agreements with Aernnova for Overture’s wings, Leonardo for the fuselage and wing box, and Aciturri for the tail.
Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.
