FAA proposal: Supersonic airliners can fly over US cities if they’re quiet
Summary
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule to allow commercial supersonic flights over US land if the planes are quiet enough. This could end a 53-year ban by requiring that the sonic booms are much quieter than before, based on new technology from companies like Boom Supersonic.Key Facts
- The FAA’s ban on overland supersonic commercial flights started in 1973 due to loud sonic booms causing disturbances.
- President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2025 to repeal the ban to encourage supersonic travel.
- The proposed rule sets a noise limit for sonic booms at 0.11 pounds per square foot to reduce disruption on the ground.
- Boom Supersonic demonstrated a quieter supersonic flight with its XB-1 aircraft using special flight techniques.
- Concorde’s sonic boom had a noise level of 1.94 pounds per square foot, much louder than the new proposed limit.
- Some experts criticize the new standard, saying it measures pressure but not how loud or annoying the boom sounds to people.
- NASA is testing the X-59 Quesst, designed to produce a soft "sonic thump" like a car door closing, which could influence future rules.
- The FAA aims to finalize the new rule by mid-2027 and may introduce further regulations later this year.
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