This action from the US Department of Transportation on Tuesday (June 30) follows NASA’s successful testing of the experimental X-59 aircraft, which surpassed the speed of sound without generating the conventional loud sonic booms typically linked to such flights.
Sonic booms can shake windows and, in extreme cases, pose a risk to building integrity.
The proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation aims to substitute the 1973 ban on overland supersonic flights with a noise threshold.
This proposed rule would permit aircraft to exceed Mach 1 (the speed of sound, 767 miles per hour) over land, contingent on the noise remaining within a defined limit.
Additionally, the FAA plans to introduce another regulation later this year to set noise standards for landing and take-off of supersonic aircraft. Both regulations are anticipated to be finalized by mid-2027.
At present, airline operators must obtain special authorization from the FAA to operate aircraft exceeding Mach 1, and this is limited to research and testing over designated areas.
“Improvements in aerospace engineering, materials science, noise mitigation, and innovative operational concepts will eliminate the traditional sonic boom,” stated FAA chief Bryan Bedford.
“This means we can ultimately lift the 1970s ban on supersonic flight over US territories while reducing noise impact on communities along flight paths and near airports,” Bedford added.
Earlier this month, NASA showcased its “quiet” supersonic capability with the X-59 aircraft, which achieved a peak speed of Mach 1.1 (around 713 mph) at an altitude of 43,400 feet.
The X-59 is engineered to fly at supersonic speeds while generating merely a soft thump instead of a loud sonic boom, according to a statement released by NASA on June 5.
“Reviving supersonic flight over land is not just about speed; it’s about unleashing American innovation and initiating a new Golden Age of Travel,” expressed US Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy.
“With President Trump’s leadership, we are rapidly moving to safely enable the next significant advancement in aviation technology and provide an exciting new travel experience for the American public,” Duffy remarked.”
“For too long, antiquated regulations have restricted our engineers and manufacturers. Under President Trump’s direction, we are clearing the path for supersonic flight, fortifying our industrial base, creating skilled jobs, and ensuring the future of aviation is designed and produced in America,” stated Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
American ingenuity previously broke the sound barrier, and today’s initiative guarantees it will shape the new Golden Age of Aviation. Air France and British Airways launched the Concorde, which flew at double the speed of sound (Mach 2) and traversed the Atlantic Ocean in approximately 3.5 hours.
However, such speeds were permissible only over the ocean, with the aircraft required to operate at subsonic speeds over land. Concorde service ceased in 2003 due to exorbitant operating costs.
In addition to NASA, other US companies pursuing supersonic aircraft include Boom Supersonic and Spike Aerospace, both intending to provide future transatlantic flights in under four hours.
