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S 1759119th CongressIn Committee
Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act
Introduced: May 14, 2025
InfrastructureTechnology & Innovation
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act would require the FAA to update regulations within one year to allow civil aircraft to fly faster than Mach 1 in U.S. airspace without needing special authorization, provided that no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States. In other words, supersonic flight could occur over U.S. airspace if operators ensure the sonic boom would not be heard on the ground. The bill references existing aviation definitions and would involve revisions to regulations such as 14 CFR 91.817. The main goal is to enable civil supersonic aviation while protecting ground-based communities from sonic disturbance.
Key Points
- 1The bill creates a requirement for the FAA to issue or revise regulations within one year of enactment to permit civil supersonic flight in the national airspace system without special authorization.
- 2The operation is allowed only if the aircraft exceeds Mach 1 but does not produce a sonic boom that reaches the ground in the United States.
- 3Civil aircraft definition used for this rule is based on the standard definition in 49 U.S.C. 40102(16).
- 4The regulatory changes would involve updating or issuing rules, potentially including sections like 14 C.F.R. 91.817.
- 5The act is narrowly tailored to conditions about sonic booms on the ground and does not broadly remove all existing restrictions on supersonic flight.
Impact Areas
Primary: Civil aviation industry and aircraft manufacturers (potentially accelerating development and commercialization of quiet/superior-supersonic aircraft) and the FAA (regulatory authority and rulemaking responsibilities).Secondary: Air traffic management and flight operations, including pilots and operators who would need to comply with new Mach-1/no-ground-sonic-boom rules.Additional impacts: Affected communities and public safety considerations related to sonic disturbances, as well as potential competitive dynamics in international air travel as other countries assess similar capabilities.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 7, 2025