Senate committee advances bill lifting 'speed limit in the sky'

Budd, a member of the committee, said, "For the past fifty-two years, the United States has had a speed limit in the sky."

Enacted in 1973, 14 CFR § 91.817 determines that no civil aircraft can be operated in the United States at a true flight Mach number greater than 1, consequently prohibiting nonmilitary supersonic flight in the national airspace system.

Meanwhile, U.S.-based companies like Boom Supersonic have developed quiet supersonic technologies and demonstrated that their aircraft can operate above Mach 1 with a significantly mitigated sonic boom, rendering the reasoning for 14 CFR § 91.817 moot. Budd argues that as long as public safety is not impacted, the United States should welcome such innovations in order to remain competitive in the aviation market.

"The race for supersonic dominance between the U.S. and China is already underway and the stakes couldn’t be higher. To maintain our global leadership in aerospace innovation, we must modernize air travel by lifting the outdated ban on civil supersonic flight. The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act paves the way to lift decades-old restrictions, allowing for faster air travel. This is a critical step to ensure America leads the next era of aviation," he said.

"AOPA commends Senator Budd for his leadership on this important legislation to advance aviation and help ensure the United States remains the global leader in aviation innovation," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon.

Budd, an AOPA member and instrument-rated pilot, is a strong supporter of general aviation in the Senate. He introduced the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act to restrict improper use of ADS-B, and the General Aviation Airport Access Act to help protect pilots from egregious FBO fees.

Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-Texas), chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, introduced the bipartisan companion bill in the House that passed by voice vote in March.