The DOT and the FAA are taking steps to advance the development of civil supersonic aircraft beginning with the FAA’s initiation of two rulemaking activities on civil supersonic aircraft noise. The first is a proposed rule for noise certification of supersonic aircraft, the second a proposed rule to streamline and clarify the procedures to obtain special flight authorization for conducting supersonic flight-testing in the United States since the Part 36 noise certification standards don’t apply to supersonic aircraft. The goal is to develop new standards that are technologically and economically feasible. The current FAR 91.817 essentially prohibits flight over the U.S. by any aircraft faster than Mach 1 true airspeed.
FAA Initiates Rulemaking on Supersonic Flights
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA is initiating two rulemaking activities to advance civil supersonic aircraft: one for noise certification standards and another to streamline special flight authorizations for testing.
- These efforts are mandated by Congress, aiming to develop new, feasible standards, with proposed rules expected by late 2019 and early 2020.
- The current rulemaking activities do not rescind the existing prohibition on supersonic flight over U.S. land.
- The FAA will conduct biennial reviews, starting December 2020, to assess technology advancements and potentially amend the overland supersonic flight ban in the future.
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