NYC to LA in 12 minutes

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/new-york-to-la-in-less-than-12-minutes/?hpt=hp_c2

Hypersonic aircraft flies at 3.6 miles per second and, when ready, will be able to travel anywhere in the world in an hour or less. Sounds like today's test is going off smoothly.

 

Not so fast, my friend ... DARPA has lost contact with the HTV-2 (hypersonic technology vehicle).

 

So that could cut the Tahoe trip to, what, nine minutes?

 

Honey, I'm going to NYC, I'll be back in an hour...

 

But will it have wifi? And will you be able to use your cellphone? "Hey there, they're shutting the door ... hang on a sec ... OK, we're landing, I'll be at gate B-23."

 

It doesn't sound like it's too close to doing the whole LAX to JFK route for passengers anytime soon.

 

If they're making this "test" public, then I'd wager the second generation is already operational.

 

I'd be willing to wager this thing carries bombs, not passengers for a long while.

 

Oh, good. Now we can bomb the bad guys much quicker. Those tense moments waiting for the bomber on TV shows won't be filmed anymore.

 

Great, but it'll still take half a day to go through security.

 

Doesn't matter. FAA limits your airspeed.

The source is Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulation.

§ 91.117 Aircraft speed.

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots (288 m.p.h.).

(b) Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class C or Class D airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph.). This paragraph (b) does not apply to any operations within a Class B airspace area. Such operations shall comply with paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

(d) If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed in this section, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed.

Edit to add source.