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    Publication Date

    1967

    Abstract

    The Problem Posed by the SST

    In July, 1957, Major John Glenn made aviation history by piloting a Navy F8U Crusader jet on the first cross-country supersonic flight.' While few people today are concerned with who holds what record for supersonic flight, the damage caused by the "sonic boom" by-product of supersonic flight may well be a matter of grave concern to all homeowners in the immediate future. Recently, the Federal Aviation Agency (hereinafter FAA) approved plans for construction of a supersonic airliner (hereinafter SST) which will re-trace Major Glenn's New York to Los Angeles cross-country flight at a cruise speed of 1700 miles per hour or more than Mach (twice the speed of sound). Supersonic flights of a commercial nature will, of course, result in an intensification of the damage caused by the "sonic boom." In light of this consequence, after evaluating the degree and type of damage which the sonic boom is capable of causing, it is the purpose of this Note to review briefly aviation tort law to date, point out the deficiencies in the common law and statutory remedies available today, and suggest some possible alterations and innovations which might adequately compensate the private property owner who is damaged by a "sonic boom."

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