Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-110
§40704 Research Program on Perceived Impact of Sonic Booms
Title 51 › Subtitle IV — Aeronautics and Space Research and Education › CHAPTER 407 — ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT › § 40704
Summary
Administrator must start joint industry research with flight demonstrations to study perceived sonic‑boom impacts to inform overland supersonic standards, and coordinate with FAA and the Partnership for Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction Center of Excellence.
Full Legal Text
Title 51, §40704
National and Commercial Space Programs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Establishment.—
The Administrator shall establish a cooperative research program with industry, including the conduct of flight demonstrations in a relevant environment, to collect data on the perceived impact of sonic booms. The data could enable the promulgation of appropriate standards for overland commercial supersonic flight operations.
(b)Coordination.—
The Administrator shall ensure that sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and as appropriate make use of the expertise of the Partnership for Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction Center of Excellence sponsored by the Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 40704(a)42 U.S.C. 17723(b).Pub. L. 110–422, title III, § 304(b), (c), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4787. 40704(b)42 U.S.C. 17723(c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Purpose Pub. L. 110–422, title III, § 304(a), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4787, provided that: “The ability to fly commercial aircraft over land at supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the environment or on local communities would open new markets and enable new transportation capabilities. In order to have the basis for establishing appropriate sonic boom standards for such flight operations, a research program is needed to assess the impact in a relevant environment of commercial supersonic flight operations.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 40704
Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110