Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation

FAA proposes a noise-based certification framework to restart overland civil supersonic flight

The FAA has published the first of two proposed rules aimed at ending the 53-year ban on overland supersonic passenger flights in the US. The approach centers on a noise-based certification standard and is designed to enable a phased, limited restart of supersonic operations over land.

Discovered 2026-07-10T05:00:29.990668-07:00 | 2026-07-10T05:00:29.990668-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The FAA’s proposal is the first regulatory step toward a return of civil supersonic travel over the US, moving the market from concept toward a defined certification pathway.
By anchoring the framework in a noise-based certification standard, the rule directly determines the operating limits and approval criteria that could shape aircraft design, routes, and launch timelines.
The effort is structured as two proposed rules, signaling an actionable near-term sequence for industry planning and investment decisions tied to overland supersonic approvals.

Reported By

worldairnews.co.za Economic Times pilootenvliegtuig.nl Bloomberg