Houston Daily

Congressman Troy E. Nehls and Senator Ted Budd have introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act, a legislative proposal aimed at revising Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations to permit civil aircraft to operate at supersonic speeds without special authorization, provided no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States.

The current regulation, enacted in 1973 under 14 CFR § 91.817, prohibits non-military supersonic flight over the U.S. despite advancements in quiet supersonic technologies by American companies. The SAM Act seeks to update these regulations, allowing operators to fly at speeds of Mach 1 or higher within the National Airspace System under specified conditions.

Congressman Nehls emphasized the importance of supporting innovation while ensuring public safety: “The United States is home to many ground-breaking innovations and should welcome these innovations so long as public safety isn’t threatened.” He added that his legislation aims to reduce regulatory barriers without compromising safety standards.

Senator Budd highlighted the competitive aspect of supersonic technology development: “The race for supersonic dominance between the U.S. and China is already underway and the stakes couldn’t be higher.” He noted that modernizing air travel through this act would help maintain U.S. leadership in aerospace innovation.

The SAM Act has garnered support from other lawmakers, including Rep. Sharice Davids, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Mike Lee, and Sen. Tim Sheehy. It also has backing from industry stakeholders such as Boom Supersonic and the National Business Aviation Association.

Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, expressed strong support for the legislation: “Supersonic flight without an audible sonic boom should obviously be allowed.” Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association, also praised the initiative for fostering an environment conducive to technological advancement while maintaining safety standards.