Bill Filed To Allow Supersonic Flight over Land in U.S.

Bill Filed To Allow Supersonic Flight over Land in U.S.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate yesterday introduced companion bills to pave the way for the return of supersonic operations. House aviation subcommittee chair Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Senate Commerce Committee member Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act in their respective chambers, calling on the FAA to issue or revise regulations within one year to permit operations at speeds of Mach 1 or more over land in the U.S. without special authorizations as long as no sonic boom reaches the ground.

Current laws prohibit civil supersonic flight over land, but the lawmakers noted that American companies are developing quiet technologies to address the sonic boom noise concerns.

“The United States is home to many ground-breaking innovations and should welcome these innovations so long as public safety isn’t threatened,” Nehls said. “Our nation’s laws and regulations should encourage these innovations and uplift companies that are leading in industries, including the aviation industry.”

Budd, meanwhile, added, “To maintain our global leadership in aerospace innovation, we must modernize air travel by lifting the outdated ban on civil supersonic flight.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, offering support for the bill, agreed: “The world is in a race to develop revolutionary transportation technologies, and this commonsense approach fosters an environment where supersonic technology can thrive while maintaining the highest levels of safety.”