US Proposes Rules to Resume Overland Supersonic Flights with Noise Limits
The US Department of Transportation has proposed new rules to lift the 1973 ban on overland supersonic flights by setting noise limits for such aircraft. This follows NASA's successful test of the X-59, an experimental plane that flew faster than sound without loud sonic booms. The FAA plans to finalize noise standards for supersonic operations by mid-2027, allowing flights faster than Mach 1 over land if noise remains below set thresholds, aiming to minimize community impact.