Trump Lifts Supersonic Ban, Adds Noise Safeguards

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the FAA to lift the 52-year ban, imposed in 1973 due to sonic boom concerns, on supersonic commercial flights over U.S. land. The FAA is tasked with establishing noise-based certification standards and ensuring no audible sonic boom reaches the ground. The order follows bipartisan legislative efforts and aims to reestablish U.S. leadership in high-speed aviation amid global competition, particularly with China. Recent advances by companies like Boom Supersonic have made quieter, more efficient supersonic jets feasible. The executive order also seeks to accelerate drone commercialization and the development of electric vertical takeoff vehicles. Industry leaders and officials have hailed the policy as a historic step for innovative air travel.