Houston Daily

Congressman Troy E. Nehls and Senator Ted Budd have jointly authored an op-ed in the Washington Examiner advocating for the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act. The proposed legislation aims to modernize aviation by directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations within a year, allowing civil aircraft to operate at speeds of Mach 1 or higher without requiring special authorization, provided no sonic boom reaches the ground within the U.S.

The op-ed emphasizes that "for over half a century, there has been a speed limit in the sky" and suggests it is time for change. Boom Supersonic, an American company, has developed technology enabling supersonic travel without disturbing communities with sonic booms. This advancement brings high-speed travel closer than ever since the Concorde era.

The Concorde made its first supersonic passenger flight on January 21, 1976, but was retired in 2003 due to high costs and restrictive regulations. The authors argue that new technology from Boom allows for quieter engines and refined aerodynamics, making these jets ready for operation again.

With millions traveling daily through U.S. airports and numerous global routes viable for supersonic travel, Nehls and Budd assert that lifting outdated FAA bans is timely. They warn that China is investing heavily in aerospace technology and could surpass U.S. leadership if action isn't taken soon.

Nehls and Budd introduced the SAM Act as a bicameral, bipartisan effort to push for regulatory changes needed to legalize supersonic flight over land while ensuring safety remains paramount.

They stress that "the United States maintains the safest airspace in the world," but recent FAA challenges highlight urgent needs for reform and modernization of aviation systems.

The lawmakers are working on updating air traffic control technologies alongside this initiative to ensure compatibility with future advancements in aviation.

"We have an opportunity to usher in a new golden age of American air travel," they conclude, urging action to maximize supersonic aviation capabilities.