EASA lays out preliminary framework for supersonic aircraft noise and emissions

European regulators are preparing an initial environmental-protection certification framework aimed at addressing the emergence of new supersonic transport aircraft designs towards the end of this decade. The measures are being laid out in an advanced notice of proposals by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. EASA states that a new generation of supersonic commercial and business aircraft is expected to become operational from the late 2020s. Noise and carbon emission requirements for such aircraft are topics that “need to be addressed”, it says, to ensure a “high, uniform level” of environmental protection. EASA points out that no ICAO standards exist for landing and take-off noise, or emissions, that would apply to supersonic aircraft – and that it intends to develop detailed requirements which would apply until ICAO draws up its own. “Pending ongoing work towards establishing an appropriate [carbon dioxide] limit for [supersonic aircraft], provisions for the standardised measurement and reporting of [carbon] emissions are proposed as an interim step,” it adds.<br/>