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Requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to write or revise rules so civil aircraft can fly above Mach 1 in U.S. airspace without needing special authorization, provided no sonic boom reaches U.S. ground. It also directs the FAA to set noise standards by April 1, 2027 that limit supersonic aircraft takeoff and landing noise to the most recent subsonic noise levels in operation on the date of enactment, and to create a process for periodic review and updating of that noise standard. The measure mainly changes FAA regulatory requirements: it opens a path for routine supersonic civil flight over the U.S. (subject to sonic-boom and noise limits), establishes a specific noise deadline, and requires the FAA to account for future noise-reduction technology in ongoing rule reviews.
The bill opens U.S. airspace to civil supersonic flight under strict noise conditions—boosting industry opportunities and protecting nearby communities from increased noise—but may raise development costs, create enforcement and legal challenges, and pressure the FAA to rush rulemaking.
Manufacturers and aircraft operators can fly civil supersonic aircraft in U.S. airspace without special waivers when no sonic boom reaches U.S. ground, lowering regulatory barriers to commercial supersonic operations.
Residents near airports (urban and rural communities) will be protected because supersonic takeoffs and landings are limited to noise levels no louder than current subsonic aircraft, preventing increased airport noise for nearby communities.
Manufacturers and communities gain a required periodic review process that allows noise limits to be tightened as quieter technologies emerge, encouraging ongoing noise-reduction innovation.
Manufacturers may face higher design and development costs and constrained design flexibility to meet subsonic-equivalent noise limits, which could slow deployment of supersonic aircraft and raise fares for travelers.
Federal agencies and taxpayers could face enforcement and legal challenges because allowing supersonic flight over land when no sonic boom reaches the ground may be hard to monitor and could produce disputes or inconsistent application across operators.
FAA staff and industry stakeholders may experience rushed rulemaking and compressed stakeholder engagement due to statutory deadlines (one year; April 1, 2027), risking less thorough technical review.
Introduced May 14, 2025 by Troy E. Nehls · Last progress March 25, 2026