Houston Daily

Congressman Troy E. Nehls, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Aviation, has expressed his support for President Donald J. Trump's recent executive order promoting supersonic aviation in the United States. The order aims to position the country as a leader in this advanced field.

Nehls commented on longstanding regulations that he believes have restricted innovation within the U.S. aviation industry since 1973. "President Trump’s executive order unleashes American innovation in the aviation sector, ensuring we remain competitive against our foreign adversaries," said Nehls. He urged Congress to pass his Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act to solidify these changes and prevent outdated regulations from hindering progress.

The SAM Act was introduced by Nehls and Senator Ted Budd on May 14, 2025. It mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) update its rules within one year to allow civil aircraft to operate at speeds of Mach 1 or higher, provided no sonic boom reaches ground level within U.S. territory.

Since 1973, FAA regulation 14 CFR § 91.817 has prohibited non-military supersonic flight over U.S. land by restricting civil aircraft from flying at speeds of Mach 1 or above. Despite advancements in quiet supersonic technology by American companies, these restrictions persist.

Under the proposed SAM Act, operators could fly their aircraft at supersonic speeds within the National Airspace System if they ensure that no sonic boom impacts the ground.

Senator Budd also praised Trump's leadership for its potential impact on America's competitiveness in next-generation aircraft development and commercial air travel transformation. "For too long, outdated restrictions on civil supersonic flight have stifled innovation," said Budd. He committed to collaborating with colleagues like Rep. Nehls to advance policies facilitating technologies such as supersonic aviation.