FAA Proposes Repealing Ban on Commercial Supersonic Flights
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule that could pave the way for the possible return of commercial supersonic airliners in the United States.
Background of the Ban
The FAA originally banned overland supersonic flights by civil aircraft in 1973 following military tests involving supersonic flights over US cities in the 1960s.
New Noise-Based Certification Standard
The proposed rule would replace the existing ban with an interim “noise-based” certification standard requiring any sonic boom overpressure at the surface to be kept below 0.11 pounds per square foot.
Comparison with Concorde and Boom Supersonic
The proposed standard is based on demonstrations by the Colorado-based startup Boom Supersonic, which has successfully conducted quiet Mach cutoff flights with its XB-1 aircraft.
Controversy and Concerns
Some experts question the efficacy of the overpressure metric in measuring loudness or annoyance.
