
[Federal Register: October 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 205)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 62871-62872]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc08-5]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 36 and 91

 
Civil Supersonic Airplane Noise Type Certification Standards and 
Operating Rules

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Statement of policy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 62872]]

SUMMARY: This action updates the Federal Aviation Administration's 
(FAA) policy on noise limits for future civil supersonic aircraft to 
reflect current U.S. noise regulations. This action is intended to 
provide guidance on noise limits to manufacturers that are considering 
designs for supersonic aircraft.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Laurette Fisher, Office of 
Environment and Energy (AEE-100), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
3561; facsimile (202) 267-5594; e-mail Laurette.fisher@faa.gov.

Background

    The FAA last issued a noise policy statement for civil supersonic 
aircraft in 1994 (59 FR 39679, August 4, 1994). At that time, the noise 
standard in effect for new type certificate applications was Stage 3.
    On July 5, 2005, the FAA adopted a new noise standard for subsonic 
jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes. That 
standard, Stage 4, applies to any person filing an application for a 
new airplane type design on and after January 1, 2006.
    Since March 1973, supersonic flight over land by civil aircraft has 
been prohibited by regulation in the United States. The Concorde was 
the only civil supersonic airplane that offered service to the United 
States, and it is no longer in service.
    Interest in supersonic aircraft technology has not disappeared. 
Current research is dedicated toward reducing the impact of sonic booms 
before they reach the ground, in an effort to make overland flight 
acceptable. Recent research has produced promising results for low boom 
intensity, and has renewed interest in developing supersonic civil 
aircraft that could be considered environmentally acceptable for 
supersonic flight over land.
    Supersonic aircraft technologists, designers, and prospective 
manufacturers have approached the FAA and International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) for guidance on the feasibility of changing the 
current operational limitations. The U.S. regulation prohibits civil 
supersonic aircraft flight over land. Before the FAA can address a 
change in operational restrictions, it needs thorough research to serve 
as a basis for any regulatory decisions. Public involvement will be 
essential in defining an acceptable sonic boom requirement, and public 
participation would be part of any potential rulemaking process.
    While technological advances in supersonic aircraft technology 
continue, many factors still will need to be addressed. At present, the 
FAA's guidance for supersonic aircraft is the same as for subsonic, 
that the same noise certification limits apply for supersonic aircraft 
when flown in subsonic flight configurations.

Policy Statement

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is committed to 
aviation's long-standing efforts to achieve increasingly effective 
noise abatement at its source. We anticipate that any future Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking issued by the FAA affecting the noise operating 
rules would propose that any future supersonic airplane produce no 
greater noise impact on a community than a subsonic airplane. Subsonic 
noise limits are prescribed in 14 CFR part 36. The latest noise limit 
in Part 36 is Stage 4, which applies to the development of future 
supersonic airplanes operating at subsonic speeds. Noise standards for 
supersonic operation will be developed as the unique operational flight 
characteristics of supersonic designs become known and the noise 
impacts of supersonic flight are shown to be acceptable.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 16, 2008.
Carl Burleson,
Director of Environment and Energy.
[FR Doc. E8-25052 Filed 10-21-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
