Documents › Executive orders › 14304
Executive Order 14304
Leading the World in Supersonic Flight
Signed June 6, 2025, printed at 90 FR 24717. 4 sections of substance, 927 words.
This order lifts the ban on fast flight over land. It aims to bring back planes that break the sound barrier.
Sec. 1. Purpose
The United States stands at the threshold of a bold new chapter in aerospace innovation. For more than 50 years, outdated and overly restrictive regulations have grounded the promise of supersonic flight over land, stifling American ingenuity, weakening our global competitiveness, and ceding leadership to foreign adversaries. Advances in aerospace engineering, materials science, and noise reduction now make supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable, and commercially viable. This order begins a historic national effort to reestablish the United States as the undisputed leader in high- speed aviation. By updating obsolete standards and embracing the technologies of today and tomorrow, we will empower our engineers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deliver the next generation of air travel, which will be faster, quieter, safer, and more efficient than ever before.
The United States stands at the threshold of a bold new chapter in aerospace innovation. For more than 50 years, outdated and overly restrictive regulations have grounded the promise of supersonic flight over land, stifling American ingenuity, weakening our global competitiveness, and ceding leadership to foreign adversaries. Advances in aerospace engineering, materials science, and noise reduction now make supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable, and commercially viable. This order begins a historic national effort to reestablish the United States as the undisputed leader in high- speed aviation. By updating obsolete standards and embracing the technologies of today and tomorrow, we will empower our engineers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deliver the next generation of air travel, which will be faster, quieter, safer, and more efficient than ever before.
This sets out the case the order makes. It says rules have barred fast flight over land for 50 years. It says that ceded the lead to others. It says engineering and noise work have advanced. It says such flight is now safe and viable. It promises quieter and faster travel.
Sec. 2. Regulatory Reform for Supersonic Flight
(a) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shall take the necessary steps, including through rulemaking, to repeal the prohibition on overland supersonic flight in 14 CFR 91.817 within 180 days of the date of this order and establish an interim noise-based certification standard, making any modifications to 14 CFR 91.818 as necessary, as consistent with applicable law. The Administrator of the FAA shall also take immediate steps to repeal 14 CFR 91.819 and 91.821, which will remove additional regulatory barriers that hinder the advancement of supersonic aviation technology in the United States. (b) Within 18 months of the date of this order, the Administrator of the FAA shall issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification under 14 CFR Part 36 and amend 14 CFR 91.817. The proposed rule shall define
(a) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shall take the necessary steps, including through rulemaking, to repeal the prohibition on overland supersonic flight in 14 CFR 91.817 within 180 days of the date of this order and establish an interim noise-based certification standard, making any modifications to 14 CFR 91.818 as necessary, as consistent with applicable law. The Administrator of the FAA shall also take immediate steps to repeal 14 CFR 91.819 and 91.821, which will remove additional regulatory barriers that hinder the advancement of supersonic aviation technology in the United States. (b) Within 18 months of the date of this order, the Administrator of the FAA shall issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification under 14 CFR Part 36 and amend 14 CFR 91.817. The proposed rule shall define
This lifts that ban. The FAA must repeal the rule within 180 days. It must set an interim noise standard. Two related rules are repealed as well. Within 18 months it must propose a full noise rule. That rule would set limits for such aircraft.
Sec. 3. Advancing Supersonic Research and Development
(a) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall, in consultation with the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies), including the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, coordinate supersonic research and development through the National Science and Technology Council, with the goal of: (i) identifying RDT&E needs for regulatory development, commercial viability, and operational integration of supersonic aircraft into the National Airspace System; (ii) coordinating federally funded RDT&E and industry-led testing of supersonic technologies at Federal test sites; and [[Page 24718]] (iii) collecting and sharing the results of such RDT&E in a manner suitable for informing domestic regulatory development and international
(a) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall, in consultation with the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies), including the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, coordinate supersonic research and development through the National Science and Technology Council, with the goal of: (i) identifying RDT&E needs for regulatory development, commercial viability, and operational integration of supersonic aircraft into the National Airspace System; (ii) coordinating federally funded RDT&E and industry-led testing of supersonic technologies at Federal test sites; and [[Page 24718]] (iii) collecting and sharing the results of such RDT&E in a manner suitable for informing domestic regulatory development and international
This is about research. A science office must coordinate it. Defense, Commerce, Transportation and NASA take part. They must identify what research is needed. Federal test sites are to be used. Results must be shared to inform new rules.
Sec. 4.
Promoting International Engagement on Civil Supersonic Flight Regulations. (a) The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, and in consultation with the Director of OSTP and the heads of other agencies as considered appropriate by the Director of OSTP, shall engage the International Civil Aviation Organization and key foreign partners to seek global alignment regarding supersonic regulatory approaches. (b) The Administrator of the FAA, under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation and in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall seek to secure bilateral aviation safety agreements with foreign aviation authorities as necessary for the safe international operation of supersonic aircraft.
Promoting International Engagement on Civil Supersonic Flight Regulations. (a) The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, and in consultation with the Director of OSTP and the heads of other agencies as considered appropriate by the Director of OSTP, shall engage the International Civil Aviation Organization and key foreign partners to seek global alignment regarding supersonic regulatory approaches. (b) The Administrator of the FAA, under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation and in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall seek to secure bilateral aviation safety agreements with foreign aviation authorities as necessary for the safe international operation of supersonic aircraft.
This is about other countries. The FAA must talk with a world aviation body. Key foreign partners are included. The aim is common rules on fast flight. A science office advises on who to involve. The FAA must also seek safety deals with foreign regulators.
Sec. 5. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Federal Aviation Administration. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, June 6, 2025. [FR
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Federal Aviation Administration. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, June 6, 2025. [FR
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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