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DOT/FAA RIN: 2120-AM15 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: ●Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight 
Abstract:

In response to an Executive Order signed by President Trump on June 6, 2025, titled Leading the World in Supersonic Flight, this rule repeals the general prohibition on overland supersonic flight in 14 CFR 91.817, establishes an interim noise-based certification standard, and makes any modifications to 14 CFR 91.818 as necessary.

 
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Deregulatory 
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 91.817    47 CFR 91.818   
Legal Authority: 49 U.S. Code 106    49 U.S. Code 44715   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/00/2025 
Additional Information: As noted in the Executive Order, the United States stands at the threshold of a bold new chapter in aerospace innovation and the prohibition on overland supersonic flight creates an unreasonable and unnecessary burden on industry. This overland flight ban was established in 1973 to specifically address public complaints about the loud sonic boom created by the Concorde when flying faster than Mach 1. Those sonic booms were known to shake buildings and damage fragile materials like plaster, tiles, and glass. Since the ban was established, research by government and industry on low-boom aircraft designs and phenomenon such as Mach cutoff operations have demonstrated that it is possible to fly above Mach 1 and prevent sonic boom from supersonic aircraft from reaching the surface in certain circumstances. Repealing the overland flight ban is critical to enable the continued development and eventual commencement of supersonic flight in the United States. As noted in the Executive Order: "By updating obsolete standards and embracing the technologies of today and tomorrow, we will empower our engineers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deliver the next generation of air travel, which will be faster, quieter, safer, and more efficient than ever before." While this rule would repeal the general supersonic overland flight ban, it would also establish an interim noise-based certification standard that prohibits such flights from creating a sonic boom that reaches the ground. This standard is consistent with the requirements in the Executive Order.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Sandy Liu
Office of Environment and Energy
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20591
Phone:202 267-4748
Email: sandy.liu@faa.gov