Support for Supersonic Aircraft Noise Efforts in ICAO CAEP

Project Number: 057
Category: Noise, Supersonics

The research is the fundamental support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the development of technical standards for civil supersonic aircraft under  the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). This effort provides FAA with technical noise expertise in the development of noise certification standards for future civil supersonic passenger aircraft, primarily in the area of en­route noise (sonic boom) minimization and/or abatement. The project will provide a number of benefits including predictive capabilities for sonic boom impacts, applicability of certain metrics, testing of signal processing methodologies for sonic boom signals, and scheme assessment for sonic boom certification. Upon the development of internationally agreed-upon noise certification standards, supersonic   aircraft would  once  again  be enabled to operate   across the globe.  

Outcomes

One outcome will be simulations and corresponding recommendations regarding the potential sonic boom metrics for inclusion in a certification procedure.  This is because sonic boom metrics are affected differently given the signature variability introduced by atmospheric turbulence.  Another outcome will be a deeper understanding of the effects of temperature, wind, and humidity profiles on the certification schemes under consideration.  A further outcome will be an initial understanding of secondary sonic booms including their generation, propagation, and potential impacts due to projected supersonic operations, as such secondary booms have not been fully assessed for currently-envisioned supersonic aircraft.

Last Updated 9/20/2022

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