The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a rule that would allow supersonic flights over the United States, but with a significant caveat: the aircraft must be able to reduce the ground-level impacts of their sonic booms. This move is a major step forward for the development of commercial supersonic airliners, which have been grounded in the US since 1973 due to concerns about noise and safety.
The FAA’s new rulemaking action follows an executive order issued by President Trump in June 2025, which aimed to pave the way for supersonic flights over land. The proposed standard would require any sonic boom overpressure at the surface to be kept below 0.11 pounds per square foot, a level that is significantly lower than the sonic booms produced by previous supersonic aircraft.
The proposal is based on the success of Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 aircraft, which has demonstrated quiet Mach cutoff flights with specific atmospheric conditions while flying just beyond supersonic speeds at higher altitudes. This technology allows the shockwaves to be refracted upward into the atmosphere rather than traveling to the ground, reducing the noise impact.
The proposed rule would replace a 53-year prohibition on overland supersonic flights by civil aircraft. The original ban was put in place after US military tests involving supersonic flights over US cities such as Oklahoma City, Chicago, and St. Louis in the 1960s. However, with advancements in technology and noise reduction techniques, the FAA believes that it is now possible to allow commercial supersonic flights while minimizing their impact on communities.
Not everyone is convinced, however. Dan Rutherford, senior director at the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation, has expressed concerns about the proposed standard, saying that it may not be stringent enough to address noise pollution. ‘We need a more comprehensive approach to addressing sonic booms and other noise impacts,’ he said.
The FAA’s proposal is open for public comment until August 2026. The agency will then review the comments and make any necessary adjustments before finalizing the rule. If approved, this would be a significant breakthrough for the development of commercial supersonic airliners in the US.
**Background on Supersonic Flights**
Supersonic flights have been largely restricted to military use due to concerns about noise and safety. However, with advancements in technology and noise reduction techniques, there is growing interest in developing commercial supersonic airliners that can travel at speeds greater than Mach 1 (around 768 mph).
The proposed rule would allow supersonic flights over land, but only if the aircraft meets the strict noise standards outlined above. This could potentially enable the development of new routes and services for passengers.
**Industry Reaction**
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 aircraft has been hailed as a success story in reducing sonic booms. The company’s CEO, Blake Scholl, said that the proposed rule would be a ‘major step forward’ for the industry. However, not everyone is convinced, with some experts expressing concerns about the potential impact on communities.
The FAA’s proposal is a significant development for the aviation industry, and it remains to be seen how it will be received by stakeholders. The agency has said that it will carefully review public comments before finalizing the rule.
Source: Original article