opinion:
Supersonic aviation races are space races of this generation.
To ensure that America is the world leader of Supersonic Aviation, President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order ensuring that the United States is the world leader of Supersonic Aviation.
The executive order begins the repeal of the 1973 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations banning civil supersonic flights through US land. 14 CFR 91.817 stipulates that no one drives a civil aircraft in the United States at speeds above Mach 1, effectively banning non-military supersonic flights in the United States. By taking action to eliminate this restrictive deficit, the Trump administration ensures that the American aviation industry remains strategically competitive against our foreign enemies.
China's state-owned Comac is already moving forward to develop a supersonic jet called the C949. Comac revealed the blueprint for supersonic jets in March 2025, but American companies such as Boom Supersonic have already developed aircraft designed to fly faster than sound speeds, with the Sonic Boom not reaching the ground.
The United States has the only civilian supersonic aircraft in flight. The booming ultrasound demonstrator, XB-1, broke the sound barrier six times without displaying the sonic boom that sounded earlier this year. This innovative innovation will help us maintain America's competitiveness on the global stage, protecting the safety of flight citizens and civilians in American soils.
Before President Trump's executive order, I was Sen. Ted Budd, RN.C. and introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) method. This will instruct the FAA to issue or amend regulations within a year, allowing the operation of civil aviation aircraft to reach more than MACH 1 without reaching any special authority.
My law codifies this important provision in President Trump's executive order to ensure that outdated regulations do not hinder the golden age of American air travel. Congress has to pass my laws superpersonally, send them to President Trump's desk and sign the law.
I am proud to chair the House Air Subcommittee of the 119th Parliament. Following the devastating DCA plane crash that took the lives of 67 individuals, my subcommittee held several hearings assessing the current state of our country's aviation operations, including our country's air traffic control system, staffing and the implementation of the FAA Recertification Act of 2024.
Additionally, one big beautiful bill law part of the House of Commons Transport and Infrastructure Committee includes a $12.5 billion investment in the ATC system. This investment provides a critical down payment to modernize the system and make the ATC system a world vy hope.
Additionally, as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, I host multiple bipartisan roundtables that allow key stakeholders across the aviation industry to share their perspectives and provide valuable insight into the issues facing the American aviation industry today.
Let me be clear: safety remains our number one priority. But now, thanks to President Trump's guidance, we have the opportunity to guide us through a new era of American-made aviation innovation that cannot pass us.
We grab this moment, encourage further innovation in the aviation industry, and do not undermine safety.
By lifting the ban on supersonic flight, we ensure that America will remain a world leader in the aviation industry.
•Rep. Troy E. Nehls represents Texas' 22nd Congressional District. At the 119th Congress, NEHLS members chair the House Aviation Subcommittee. He previously chaired the House Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Goods Subcommittee. Before serving in Congress, Rep. Nehrus worked in law enforcement for nearly 30 years.
