Regulation Text
Except for Concorde airplanes having flight time before January 1, 1980, no person may operate in the United States, a civil supersonic airplane that does not comply with Stage 2 noise limits of part 36 in effect on October 13, 1977, using applicable trade-off provisions.
The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.821) prohibits operating a civil supersonic airplane in the United States unless it complies with the Stage 2 noise limits of part 36 in effect on October 13, 1977, using applicable trade-off provisions. The only carve-out is Concorde airplanes that had flight time before January 1, 1980.
Research Notes
Common Questions
Are any supersonic airplanes exempt from § 91.821's noise limit?
Yes — the section exempts only Concorde airplanes that had flight time before January 1, 1980; all other civil supersonic airplanes must meet the limit.
“Except for Concorde airplanes having flight time before January 1, 1980, no person may operate in the United States, a civil supersonic airplane that does not comply with Stage 2 noise limits of part 36 in effect on October 13, 1977 ...” — 14 CFR § 91.821
Which noise standard must a civil supersonic airplane meet?
It must comply with the Stage 2 noise limits of part 36 that were in effect on October 13, 1977, using the applicable trade-off provisions.
“... a civil supersonic airplane that does not comply with Stage 2 noise limits of part 36 in effect on October 13, 1977, using applicable trade-off provisions.” — 14 CFR § 91.821
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