When an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, it creates shock waves that result in a sonic boom. These rumbles are more than just annoying noises. They can cause damage to buildings, break windows and even disturb wildlife. To avoid these problems, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed strict rules that restrict supersonic flights over land areas.
As a result, commercial supersonic flights are limited to routes over the ocean, where booms do not affect inhabited areas. However, with the success of the X-59, this reality could change, allowing supersonic flights to operate freely over land, transforming the future of aviation.
