Latest news with #Concorde
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
End of an era: Dannhauser's beloved Horizon Restaurant sold after 40 years
A landmark of hospitality, warmth and unforgettable meals has officially entered a new chapter, as Dannhauser's iconic Horizon Restaurant has been sold after nearly four decades of service to the community. The building, opened in 1986 by the much-loved Kanthi Sirikisoon (nee Jagath) and her late husband Prakash, has been a cornerstone of the town's social and culinary life. With a mix of nostalgia, relief and a touch of sadness, Kanthi confirmed this week that, after being on the market for 10 years, she has found the right buyer and is finally ready, at 75 years old—to hang up her apron. Almost. 'I'm delighted that Peter Ramgoolam and his family have bought the building and will continue operating the downstairs liquor outlet,' said Kanthi. 'It's been a long journey, but one filled with joy, community and incredible memories.' While the restaurant will no longer operate, Kanthi's signature snacks, including her famous samoosas, will still be available at her son Dhanveer's Newcastle-based shop, Spice n All. The Horizon opened its doors when Dannhauser was still buzzing with life, fuelled by the then-active Durnacol mine. With her roots in Dundee and marriage to Prakash in 1972, Kanthi became part of the pioneering Bhawani family, among the first Indian settlers in Dannhauser, arriving in 1893. Prakash's father, Sirikisoon Bhawani, notably operated the town's first bus service for over 40 years. The couple spent four formative years in the United States, where Kanthi studied nursing at the prestigious Tarleton State University in Texas, and Prakash managed a gourmet restaurant. Their time abroad inspired the vision for the Horizon—a world-class restaurant for their hometown. 'We wanted to give Dannhauser something new, something the people deserved,' Kanthi said. And they did. From spicy curries and vegetarian delights to her cinnamon-infused masala tea and the beloved fried chicken, the Horizon became synonymous with quality and care. Its opening, described by the Courier in 1986 as a 'prestigious event,' drew over 100 prominent guests with then-young local businessman Steve Bear, the guest of honour. Steve and his family now live in Canada but took the time to send a tribute to Kanthi. Despite the blow dealt to the community by the closure of the Durnacol mine in 2000, the Horizon pressed on. Following Prakash's passing in 2011, Kanthi continued to run the restaurant, with her unwavering spirit and culinary expertise earning her generations of loyal patrons. A world traveller—Kanthi has visited India around 20 times—she fondly recalls a 1981 flight aboard the Concorde from New York to London, a framed photo of which hangs in her home. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed deep gratitude: 'I just want to pay a heartfelt tribute to all my patrons who became friends over the years. Your support and love have kept me going through the laughter and the tears. May God bless you all.' While the Horizon Restaurant has served its final meal, Auntie Kanthi's legacy will live on—in every flavourful bite, every shared memory, and every heart she touched. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'New Concorde' would cut UK to US flight to 45 minutes going 7x speed of sound
The A-HyM Hypersonic Air Master is designed to carry 170 passengers and cruise at an altitude of 30,000 metres while travelling at speeds of Mach 7.3 A groundbreaking hypersonic airliner could cut London-New York flight times to a mere 45 minutes. The revolutionary A-HyM Hypersonic Air Master is set to transform air travel by flying at Mach 7.3-over 5,600 mph (9,000 kph). Designed to carry 170 passengers, it could reduce the transatlantic journey from the usual seven hours, making transatlantic travel quicker than ever before. In comparison, Concorde typically flew from London to New York in just under three and a half hours, compared to about eight hours on a subsonic flight. Spanish designer Oscar Viñals says the A-HyM would cruise at an altitude of 30,000 metres, far above conventional jets, using advanced heat-resistant materials like titanium and carbon fibre to withstand temperatures up to 1,000°C. Its innovative Sonic Boom Mitigation System aims to reduce the disruptive noise of breaking the sound barrier, potentially allowing supersonic-and even hypersonic-flights over land without disturbing communities below. Powered by a next-generation hydrogen-fuelled combined-cycle engine, the aircraft would blend turbojet, ramjet, and oblique detonation technologies for both speed and eco-friendliness. Inside, passengers would enjoy spacious, comfortable cabins equipped with virtual panoramic windows and advanced entertainment systems designed to handle the unique conditions of hypersonic flight. Although only a concept at this stage, the A-HyM illustrates how rapid breakthroughs in materials science, propulsion systems, and aerodynamics are making the prospect of ultra-fast and sustainable global travel increasingly plausible. According to Oscar Viñals: "This aircraft concept would allow its users not only to experience a unique flight at dizzying speeds in excellent conditions, but it would also allow them to "master" time, because a trip, for example, from London to Los Angeles would only take an hour and a half, from boarding at Heathrow international airport to disembarking at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport)." The A-HyM aircraft's developers are far from the only ones perusing the dream of commercial super-sonic flight. In January the Boom supersonic jet - dubbed the 'new Concorde ' - officially broken the sound barrier. The Colorado-based company Boom launched its XB-1 test plane from California 's Mojave Air and Space Port for a test flight in January, reaching a speed of Mach 1.1, or 844 miles per hour while flying at about 35,000 feet. A plane is classed as having reached 'supersonic' speeds once it passes Mach 1. The Boom XB-1 is the first civil supersonic jet made in the US to break the sound barrier. The goal of crashing through the sound barrier, and the loud bang that happens when planes do, is part of the reason super-fast air travel proved difficult from a business perspective. As iconic and beautiful as the Concorde's curved-delta wing shape was, there had always been a fundamental problem with the plane before it was mothballed for good. Smashing through the sound barrier causes a huge bang that has big consequences of those on the ground. During a 1965 test over Oklahoma city by the US Air Force, hundreds of reports of smashed windows were made. The potential to cause this kind of disruption meant that Concorde could only fly certain routes at supersonic, meaning no high-speed flights over land. This crushed the business case for the aircraft in the US as cities such as Los Angeles and New York could not be linked up effectively. Climate scientists also began to express alarm about the impact of the Concorde on the ozone layer, specifically the potentially damaging impact its emissions could have while flying at 60,000 feet - something it needed to do to get into air thin enough. The relatively small number of passengers onboard coupled with the large amount of fuel required to fly so fast (compared to slower air travel), meant fluctuations in oil price hit the airline hard. At points customers were paying close to $12,000 for a single trip, back in 2003. Operators Air France and British Airways had to have reserve planes made as back-ups, which added to the spiralling bill.
The Market Online
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Market Online
Bombardier's Global 8000 takes flight: 1st production aircraft completes inaugural journey
Bombardier (TSX:BBD) has reached a major milestone in its Global 8000 program, announcing that the first production Global 8000 aircraft has successfully completed its inaugural flight The Global 8000 is the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde—and an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles With its ultra-high cruise speed of Mach 0.92, the aircraft can cover up to 4,200 nautical miles, enabling direct routes such as Dubai to Houston Bombardier stock (TSX:BBD.A) last traded at C$91.65 Bombardier (TSX:BBD) has reached a major milestone in its Global 8000 program, announcing that the first production Global 8000 aircraft has successfully completed its inaugural flight. The landmark event took place on May 16, launching from Bombardier's state-of-the-art Aircraft Assembly Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Piloted by Sandro Novelli, with co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar, the aircraft executed a series of rigorous tests as part of its production flight test procedures. All flight controls were exercised, and the aircraft's systems performed flawlessly, according to Bombardier. The aircraft will now proceed to Bombardier's Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, where its luxurious interior will be finalized ahead of its anticipated entry into service in the second half of 2025. The Global 8000 is said to be the 'next evolution' of the acclaimed Global 7500, which has logged over 250,000 flight hours and more than 200 deliveries since its debut in 2018. Designed to redefine business aviation, the Global 8000 boasts a top speed of Mach 0.94—making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde—and an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles. With its ultra-high cruise speed of Mach 0.92, the aircraft can cover up to 4,200 nautical miles, enabling direct routes such as Dubai to Houston, Singapore to Los Angeles, and London to Perth. Despite its size and capabilities, the Global 8000 also offers impressive runway performance, rivaling that of much smaller jets and allowing access to airports typically out of reach for aircraft in its class. Inside, the Global 8000 sets a new benchmark for luxury and comfort. It features four true living spaces, a dedicated crew rest area, and the longest seated length in its category. The cabin is engineered for wellness, offering the industry's lowest cabin altitude and the healthiest environment for passengers. 'Having this first production aircraft take to the skies is another important step in this journey that will redefine the business aviation landscape,' Stephen McCullough, Bombardier's senior vice president, engineering and product development, said in a news release. 'With its low cabin altitude, luxurious and healthy cabin, signature smooth ride and unparalleled performance capabilities, the Global 8000 is the clear choice for discerning owners and operators who prioritize convenience and flexibility.' 'This is a very special accomplishment for our Global8000 aircraft, the latest highlight for this transformational business jet,' David Murray, executive vice president, manufacturing, IT and Bombardier operational excellence system, added. 'This first flight is a reflection of the dedication and high skill level of our engineering, production and flight teams to follow through and execute with precision and mastery at all stages of the manufacturing and flight-testing process.' Bombardier designs, builds, modifies and maintains a line of jets for individuals, businesses, governments and militaries around the world. Its customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft supported by 10 service facilities across six countries. The company operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Bombardier stock (TSX:BBD.A) last traded at C$91.65 and has risen 1.24 per cent since this time last year. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this aviation stock on the Bombardier Inc. Bullboard and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Scientific American
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scientific American
Lawmakers Push to Legalize Emissions-Heavy ‘Supersonic' Planes
A bill to repeal the ban on supersonic flights over the U.S. could increase the demand for the gas-guzzling jets from around a dozen to as many as 240 By & CLIMATEWIRE | Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are seeking to repeal a half-century-old regulation that prevents civilian aircraft from traveling faster than the speed of sound over the United States. The "Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act" could vastly increase the potential market — and emissions — of Boom Supersonic, a planemaking startup backed by United Airlines; Japan Airlines; and Sam Altman, the billionaire CEO of the artificial intelligence firm OpenAI. No commercial supersonic planes have been in operation since the Concorde ceased flights between New York and London in 2003. But aviation analysts estimate that the jets Boom is developing would consume at least two times more fuel per passenger than flying on commercial airplanes in operation now. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The bill is from Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), whose state is home to Boom's manufacturing plant, and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. It's co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah and Tim Sheehy of Montana as well as Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas. "Supersonic flight without an audible sonic boom should obviously be allowed," said Blake Scholl, Boom's founder and CEO, in statements released by the bill's lead sponsors. "I urge Congress to pass the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act supersonically, so we can all enjoy faster flights and maintain American leadership in aviation." The legislation would order the Federal Aviation Administration to scrap or update a 1973 regulation that prohibits non-military-related supersonic flight over the U.S. within a year of the bill's passage. It specifically calls for the agency to allow for civilian flights in the national airspace "at a Mach number greater than 1 so long as the aircraft is operated in such a manner that no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States." The congressional push to undo the overland flight ban comes as NASA prepares to conduct its first test flights of a supersonic jet developed by Lockheed Martin to produce sonic "thumps," rather than booms, when traveling faster than the speed of sound. The United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization is also set to develop new noise standards that member states could adopt. In February, Boom completed a series of supersonic test flights in a prototype plane that it claimed did not produce sonic booms that were audible from the ground. The speed of sound, or Mach 1, varies based on atmospheric conditions but is generally around 767 mph at sea level. The following month, Scholl visited Washington to lobby Trump administration officials to repeal the supersonic flight ban, POLITICO Pro reported at the time. The International Council on Clean Transportation, an environmental research group, estimated in 2022 that dropping overland flight prohibitions for supersonic aircraft in the U.S. and other major markets could increase the demand for the gas-guzzling jets from around a dozen to as many as 240. The company has already reported inking deals with airlines to produce 130 planes. Boom is designing its engines to run on sustainable aviation fuel, which has a fraction of the carbon emissions of traditional jet fuel. But operating the supersonic jets with SAF would be uneconomic for most airlines given the higher cost of SAF and the greater fuel consumption required to break the sound barrier.
E&E News
15-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
Lawmakers push to legalize emissions-heavy ‘supersonic' planes
Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are seeking to repeal a half-century-old regulation that prevents civilian aircraft from traveling faster than the speed of sound over the United States. The 'Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act' could vastly increase the potential market — and emissions — of Boom Supersonic, a planemaking startup backed by United Airlines; Japan Airlines; and Sam Altman, the billionaire CEO of the artificial intelligence firm OpenAI. No commercial supersonic planes have been in operation since the Concorde ceased flights between New York and London in 2003. But aviation analysts estimate that the jets Boom is developing would consume at least two times more fuel per passenger than flying on commercial airplanes in operation now. Advertisement The bill is from Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), whose state is home to Boom's manufacturing plant, and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. It's co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah and Tim Sheehy of Montana as well as Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas.
