University of Virginia Library

Boeing Engineer Speaks On SST

The student chapter of the American
Institute of Aeronautics is sponsoring a
public discussion on "SST: A National
Issue" tonight at 7:30 in room 126 of
aero-mechanical building of the
Engineering School.

Bruce P. Hayden, assistant professor
environmental sciences at the University
will discuss the effects of the Supersonic
Transport with John M. Swihart, Boeing
Company's chief engineer for production
of the SST airplane.

In a letter sent to Engineering professors,
Mr. Swihart states "The SST, far from being a
gigantic despoiler of the environment, will be
the most efficient and the cleanest method of
moving people over great distances that man
has yet devised."

The SST will travel at 1,800 miles-per-hour
and be able to transport 300 people any where
on the earth in 12 hours or less. It will cruise at
an altitude of 60,000 feet to 70,000 feet, the
letter said.

The Boeing Company wrote in a recent
"fact sheet" some of the major advantages of
the Supersonic Transport. The program, the
sheet reads, will offer 50,00 additional jobs at
the peak of production.

Mr. Hayden will be discussing the effect of
the emission of materials into the stratosphere.
Apart from the proceeding statement Mr.
Hayden stated that he "had not planned a
public statement and any remarks he had to
make would be made at the discussion."

Mr. Swihart left National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Langley Research Center
after 13 years to join Boeing. He holds
bachelor's degrees in physics and aeronautical
engineering .

Mr. Hayden received his doctorate in botany
at the University of Chicago and did
post-graduate work in paleo-climatology at the
University of Wisconsin.

John M. Swihart, Chief Engineer, Boeing Corporation

Mr. Swihart Is Holding A Prototype Of The Controversial Supersonic Airliner