Building Long-Range Supersonic Planes | Ian Brooke, Astro Mechanica
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
Ian Brooke, founder and CEO of Astro Mechanica, sits down to discuss his ambitious mission to revolutionize supersonic flight. The conversation covers the fundamental economics that doomed Concorde, Brooke's integrated approach to solving aerospace challenges, and his journey from building model aircraft as a teenager to developing revolutionary hybrid-electric engine architectures. (05:30) Brooke explains why his strategy involves building multiple aircraft types before tackling commercial aviation, starting with high-value, low-volume applications. The discussion delves deep into his philosophy of front-loading engineering effort to create long-lasting, elegant solutions rather than quick fixes that require constant maintenance.
- Core themes: Vertical integration as a necessity for revolutionary change, the importance of controlling every aspect of the customer experience, and building sustainable business models that make advanced technology accessible rather than exclusive to the wealthy.
Speakers
Ian Brooke
Ian Brooke is the founder and CEO of Astro Mechanica, an aerospace company developing supersonic aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion systems. With over two decades of experience in aviation, Brooke started flying and building aircraft as a teenager, mentored by American Airlines pilots from age 13. He previously founded and operated manufacturing businesses, including commercial real estate photography services using drones, and has experience as a type-rated pilot flying jets. Brooke's company has grown from 12 employees at the start of 2024 to over 40 people, attracting top talent from SpaceX, Bridgewater, and Boom Supersonic.
Key Takeaways
Start Niche Before Scaling to Mass Market
Brooke advocates for a strategic approach to disruptive technology: begin with expensive, low-volume applications that don't require economies of scale, then progressively move toward mass market solutions. (06:00) He compares this to Tesla's progression from Roadster to Model S to Model 3, or how it's "easier to start Lamborghini than Honda or Toyota." For Astro Mechanica, this means targeting government and space launch applications first, then private aviation, before eventually reaching commercial airline economics. This approach allows companies to prove technical feasibility while building the financial foundation needed for larger-scale manufacturing and operations.
Front-Load Engineering for Long-Term Cost Savings
Rather than optimizing for initial manufacturing costs, Brooke emphasizes designing products that minimize total lifecycle expenses, especially maintenance and repair costs. (17:00) He argues that many companies undervalue skilled labor time and fail to account for the full cost of ownership. By investing more in upfront design and using higher-quality components, products become significantly cheaper to operate over time. This philosophy extends to hiring decisions, equipment choices, and manufacturing processes—always considering the human experience of maintaining and operating the final product.
Vertical Integration Enables Revolutionary Change
When attempting to change multiple variables simultaneously, controlling the entire value chain becomes essential rather than just preferred. (01:34) Brooke explains that while efficient markets work well for incremental improvements, revolutionary advances require integrated control over engines, airframes, and operations. This integration allows for rapid iteration cycles and the ability to optimize the entire system rather than individual components. The approach is more capital-intensive but enables the kind of fundamental changes needed to solve complex problems like affordable supersonic flight.
Build Proof of Work Before Seeking Support
After years of unsuccessfully trying to convince others through storytelling alone, Brooke discovered that demonstrating actual capability is far more effective than promises. (63:45) He spent years struggling to raise support based on ideas and presentations, but once he built a working prototype, talent and capital followed rapidly. This "broken clock" period of seemingly futile effort actually built the deep technical knowledge necessary for success. The lesson: focus on becoming undeniably good at the core technical challenge before expecting others to believe in your vision.
Design for Your Future Self and Worst-Case Scenarios
Brooke advocates for imagining the full lifecycle of any product or decision, including maintenance, scaling, and operation by people who may not care as much as the creator. (21:27) He designs parts assuming they'll need repair by someone who doesn't understand them, and structures his company to handle rapid iteration rather than one-time perfection. This forward-thinking approach prevents future problems and creates optionality, even if it requires more upfront investment. The philosophy extends to customer selection—choosing people who appreciate quality work rather than trying to serve everyone.
Statistics & Facts
- Private jet travel from San Francisco to Paris or Tokyo costs at least $200,000 for a whole aircraft charter, while Brooke's supersonic aircraft aims to provide the same service for less than $10,000 total. (09:00)
- Astro Mechanica has grown from 12 employees at the start of 2024 to over 40 people by the time of this interview, representing more than 3x growth in less than a year. (41:00)
- Turbine engines have a mean time between in-flight shutdowns that is at least an order of magnitude higher (better) than piston engines, which is why they underpin modern commercial aviation despite being less thermally efficient at small scales. (29:56)
