Notice2026-07121
Petition for Authorization To Exceed Mach 1
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 13, 2026
Effective
April 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This notice summarizes the petition Hermeus Corporation submitted to FAA requesting a special flight authorization as provided for in FAA regulations. The notice also provides for public awareness of FAA's decision to grant Hermeus Corporation's request. FAA is not requesting comments on the petition or FAA's decision regarding the petition because a special flight authorization petition to exceed Mach 1 follows a separate regulatory process.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 18966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07121]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Petition for Authorization To Exceed Mach 1
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of decision to grant an authorization to exceed Mach 1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice summarizes the petition Hermeus Corporation
submitted to FAA requesting a special flight authorization as provided
for in FAA regulations. The notice also provides for public awareness
of FAA's decision to grant Hermeus Corporation's request. FAA is not
requesting comments on the petition or FAA's decision regarding the
petition because a special flight authorization petition to exceed Mach
1 follows a separate regulatory process.
DATES: The grant of the special flight authorization to exceed Mach 1
is effective April 9, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Senzig, Office of Environment
and Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20591; 781-238-7034, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5e5b4c535e145b14495f5440535d7a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="157174637c713b743b66707b6f7c72557374743b727a63">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Petitioner: Hermeus Corporation.
Applicable Sections of 14 CFR: Sections 91.817 and 91.818.
Description of Relief Sought: Hermeus Corporation seeks relief to
allow certain flight tests to exceed Mach 1.
On January 12, 2026, Hermeus Corporation, Atlanta, GA (Hermeus),
petitioned FAA to allow Hermeus to operate a civil aircraft that is
expected to exceed Mach 1 speeds during flight testing. Specifically,
Hermeus requested to conduct developmental flight test operations of an
experimental aircraft, the Quarterhorse Mark 2.1 (Mk 2.1) Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS), over the White Sand Missile Range (WSMR) inside
Restricted Areas R-5111 A & B and R-5107 B located in New Mexico. The
petitioner requested authorization for up to seven supersonic test
flights by December 31, 2026. The proposed operations would occur at or
above 30,000 ft Mean Sea Level.
To satisfy its environmental requirements, in a decision dated
March 27, 2026, FAA relied on and adopted the Department of the Army's
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Development and Implementation
of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at White Sands Missile
Range (WSMR), New Mexico, March 2010, which is the foundational
document for the Department of the Army's Record of Environmental
Consideration for the proposed action. FAA determined that proposed
supersonic test flights would not significantly affect the quality of
the human environment.
FAA finds the request by the petitioner is well within the intent
of 14 CFR 91.818. As such, FAA has decided to grant this Special Flight
Authorization to Exceed Mach 1. Authority to exceed Mach 1 during the
testing of the Hermeus Mk 2.1 experimental aircraft is limited to the
conditions and limitations stated in the special flight authorization.
FAA's decision to grant a special flight authorization in response
to Hermeus' petition and the applicable FAA environmental review
document is available on FAA's website. FAA is posting grants of
special flight authorizations and applicable FAA environmental review
documents. These documents may be found at: <a href="https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/aee/env_policy/sfa_supersonic">https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/aee/env_policy/sfa_supersonic</a>.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 9, 2026.
David Senzig,
Acting Manager, Noise Division, Office of Environment and Energy, Noise
Division (AEE-100).
[FR Doc. 2026-07121 Filed 4-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 13, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.