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119-hr-3410119th CongressWALLET

Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act

Sponsored By: Representative Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Passed House

Summary

Allows civil supersonic flight in U.S. airspace so long as no sonic boom reaches the ground. It would also require takeoff and landing noise for those flights to meet current subsonic limits and set a process to update standards as technology improves.

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  • Aircraft manufacturers and operators: Would be allowed to operate civil aircraft at speeds greater than Mach 1 in the national airspace without special authorization if no sonic boom reaches the ground.
  • Communities and airports: Must be protected from sonic booms reaching the ground and from higher takeoff and landing noise because the bill requires those noise levels to not exceed the most recent limits for subsonic aircraft. The FAA must issue a final rule on those noise standards by April 1, 2027.
  • Federal Aviation Administration: Would have to issue or revise regulations within one year to enable these operations and include a process for periodic review and updates to reflect advances in noise reduction technology.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Rules to allow quiet supersonic flights

Within one year of enactment, the FAA would issue or update rules to let civil planes fly faster than sound in U.S. airspace without special approval. Flights would be allowed only if no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States. By April 1, 2027, the FAA would set takeoff and landing noise limits for these planes that do not exceed the latest limits for subsonic planes in use on the date of enactment. The rule would include a process to review and update the limits as noise-reduction technology and related rules change. This would expand faster flight options while adding strict noise protections for communities near airports and under flight paths.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 6/10/2025

  • Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 6/11/2025

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 7/2/2025

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2025

  • Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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