Civil supersonic airplanes that do not comply with part 36

This regulation restricts operations of older civil supersonic aircraft that don't meet the noise standards (Stage 2) that were in effect in 1977. If you're operating such an aircraft in the United States after July 1978, two main restrictions apply:

First, if the aircraft's design is modified in any way that affects its noise characteristics (an "acoustical change"), it must meet current noise requirements before you can fly it—even for modifications that don't require formal type design approval.

Second, you cannot schedule or plan flights to take off or land between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. local time. This nighttime restriction helps limit noise impact on communities near airports.

These rules only apply to supersonic aircraft that haven't demonstrated compliance with the 1977 noise standards. Emergency operations are exempt from these restrictions.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*