FAA proposal: Supersonic airliners can fly over US cities if they’re quiet

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed rules that would permit supersonic aircraft to fly over populated areas of the United States if they meet noise limits that prevent sonic booms. Under the proposal, aircraft would be restricted to speeds that produce noise levels no greater than what subsonic jets currently generate. The FAA has not yet finalized the rules or set a specific timeline for implementation. Supersonic flight over land has been banned in the US since 1973 due to sonic boom concerns.

Next story