Sonic boom exposure effects 1.3: General considerations on sonic boom research

Abstract

During the last decade considerable research efforts have been spent on the effects of the sonic boom. This is, of course, mainly due to the development of commercial supersonic aircraft. This research activity presents several interesting aspects but in this context, emphasis will be put on how studies of sonic boom effects require research in different scientific disciplines and how the various research facilities used meet the experimental requirements. In addition the possibility will be discussed as to how experience acquired from studies on sonic boom effects might be extended to general considerations on effects studies of other agents in the environment. The previous paper shows how an aircraft flying at supersonic speed creates sonic booms which expose the underlying terrain at the time of the overflight. These booms might affect living creatures or objects in this region. According to the assessment of the possible effects, regulations will be placed upon supersonic flying. The possibilities range from complete freedom of overflying, at least under the general air traffic regulations, down to total prohibition. To arrive at a national or international background for supersonic flights control, exposure effects criteria will have to be developed, as discussed in the introductory paper. In this connection one requires the advice of scientific specialists, which should be available before the introduction of regular commercial or military supersonic overtlying, but the advice must be based on the extent of the sonic boom effects. Consequently a dilemma develops: studies on the phenomenon should be performed without the phenomenon’s actually being present. Alternatives to the real exposure situation must thus be sought which involve experimental situations with supersonic overllights with sonic booms simulators.