Bill Filed To Allow Supersonic Flight over Land in U.S. | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

Bill Filed To Allow Supersonic Flight over Land in U.S.

Legislation would eliminate Mach 1 speed limit for aircraft if no sonic boom reaches the ground

Aerion Supersonic — Current laws prohibit civil supersonic flight over land, but the lawmakers noted American companies are developing quiet technologies to address the sonic boom noise concerns. © Aerion Supersonic

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

May 15, 2025

Lawmakers in the House and Senate yesterday introduced companion bills to pave the way for the return of supersonic operations. House aviation subcommittee chair Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Senate Commerce Committee member Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act in their respective chambers, calling on the FAA to issue or revise regulations within one year to permit operations at speeds of Mach 1 or more over land in the U.S. without special authorizations as long as no sonic boom reaches the ground.

Co-sponsoring the bills are Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) in the House and Sens. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) in the upper chamber.

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