NBAA Supports FAA’s Supersonic Aircraft Noise Standards

In comments submitted this week, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) reiterated its support for guidance outlined in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to develop new standards for noise certification of supersonic aircraft operating in the United States.

Emphasizing the need to balance innovation and development of new technologies with protecting the general public and the environment, NBAA applauded the NPRM’s “data-driven approach to setting noise standards specific to particular categories delineated by weight and maximum cruise-speed. 

Read NBAA’s comments to the NPRM.

The association also welcomed the agency’s proposal to set individual noise limitations for Supersonic Level 1 aircraft between current Stage 4 and Stage 5 limits for subsonic aircraft, adding that “it will be important that supersonic speeds over land remain prohibited until advancements limit sonic boom noise to an acceptable level,” D’Leon added.

To that end, NBAA also expressed support for use of new technologies, including Variable Noise Reduction Systems (VNRS), to further minimize takeoff and landing noise and “[avoid] significant increases in noise for communities surrounding airports.”

NBAA also noted the need for global harmonization between FAA standards and eventual international supersonic noise reduction standards defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The FAA issued the NPRM earlier this year as several manufacturers work to develop supersonic commercial and business aircraft that would not be covered under existing Part 36 noise regulations.