Are 'Sonic Booms' illegal?

[bigwhitecobra]

I've been milling it over for a few days, and have decided to post this in hopes that some one will have more knowledge on the subject.

Sunday around 5pm, there was this loud abrupt boom that shook our house, and as I found out later, countless other houses in about a 10 mile area. I can only think of one thing that will cause that; a Sonic Boom.
Today, in downtown Charlotte, a fighter jet (not sure what type) buzzed the tops of the buildings. Now, I'm not saying that there is some sort of conspiracy going on, but to my understanding, this type of behavior is at best, frowned upon by the commanding generals of the Air Force and the like.
Anyone know if Sonic Booms are allowed, and if so under what conditions? What about fly-by's of commercial buildings?

Anyway, back to life.

Later, guys.

[6T9PONY]

There was one around here a while back. Only one though. I don't know what the reasoning of it was. There is a AFB in Cheyenne which is only like 90 miles from here...that's probably a good possibility.....

[Unit 5302]

No, they are not allowed over populated areas.

[Mach 1]

They happen over my house very frequently, as I live close to an AF base. There are restrictions and such on these things, but they are not enforced. You can call the local Air base and ***** about it, but they will probably tell you to F*** off, rightfully so. Yeah, they suck, I feel like my house will blow apart sometimes, but in the name of training and national security, its something you should learn to live with.

[PKRWUD]

A couple months ago at the air show at Point Mugu, they had a few jets not only fly too low in residential areas, they left for 30 minutes without anyone knowing where they were going. I don't remember the specifics, but the article in the paper said that some heads were going to roll because a few show pilots can't just go "cruise" Hollywood in their F-18's without clearing it first. Apparently even the head big-wigs at the air force base had no idea what these yahoos were doing. They weren't from around here, and I believe just did some kind of air show circuit.

3 years ago I almost had a heart attack when an F-16 did a fly-by at the local cemetary on Veterans day. I was about a half mile away in my truck, in the Kmart parking lot, and never saw it coming. Just a sudden, insane rush of noise. It just kept getting louder. Traffic came to a standstill everywhere, and I swear 50 alarms were going off in that parking lot. It was so loud it hurt. For a couple hours. Paper said he got within 30 meters of the ground, when he wasn't supposed to get lower than 1500', and I guess he feared wrecking, and "gave it all it had" as he approached the ground. Something about the air pressure changing unexpectedly. I don't know, but it felt just like it does when Kenny Bernstein flys by at the NHRA Finals in Pomona!!!

As far as complaining about it, give me a break. I thank God they're there every time I hear them. You should too. What's next, a quiet exhaust for all Mustangs???

Take care,
-Chris

[mustangdani55]

NO WAY!!! sonic booms were outlawed back in the late '60's. oops gave away my age!!! sorry about the bad pic.

[topless tire fryer]

I'm with Chris, a sonic booms better then a jetliner hitting a building.

[PKRWUD]

Amen.

[Mercury]

I live near Pope AirForce base, its only a stone throw distance away. Well you would have to have one hell of and arm to throw something 2 miles. It would be hard to tell the diffrence between a Sonic boom, and the heavy Artillary thats usually thumping in the background of Fayetteville.

Simmons Army Airbase is just as close. You should see how low some of those Helicopters fly. My favorite is when you see a group of A-10 Tank Killers flying in formation, Low, REAL LOW.

I'd love to take one of those out on Cruise night. Pickin up the girls in an A-10. They just love that Cannon O' Death. There not fast, but they SURE PACK A HELLACIOUS PUNCH.

Make one Red, and street legal, and I'd have to get one! Even though it has a BIG "Spoiler".



I hope Osama gets to see the A-10's like I've seen them, but carrying a letter from the Messanger of Death. personally written out for him.

[1969Mach1]

Now that must be low frequency BASS =) I'd be like give me some more Sonic Booms and the Thumbs Up!

[6T9PONY]

They are pretty rare around here, but when I do hear one it scrares the livin bajesus outta me....D@MN THEY'RE LOUD!!!

[1965GTO]

Don't worry you won't cause a sonic boom with a Mustang.

[6T9PONY]

1965GTO....well....yeah....I s'pose you're right.....that would be cooool though....

[84_GT350]

I've only heard one at an air show (my dad was a big airplane freak). It was right over the crowd and I thought my head would explode. What I'd like to know is if a sonic boom actually follows the plane or if it only happens when the sound barrier is innicially broken.

[Crazy Horse GT]

iagree with pkrwud & others thank god they are up there it aint no worse than that damn train track pretty close to my house, but im glad they are rolling too , you wont get a sonic boom out of a gto either, jk

[Mach 1]

It only happens when the sound barrier is broken. Sub sonic is below sound barrier, and supersonic is faster. When you hear a real loud sonic boom, you will see the plane fly past a few seconds before the boom, as the plane is traveling faster than the speed of sound.