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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Going supersonic causes building damage??

Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:27 am

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CAG6H9M6gZo

Seems so maybe? Has this ever happened in the US here i wonder?

Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:15 am

I'm sure it happened. There were all sorts of reports during the 50's and 60's of broken windows and damage due to low-flying supersonic aircraft. That's why they regulate the ability to go supersonic over the US (an all land for that fact) so much. There are specific "supersonic" corridors for low-level work and otherwise you have to be over 60,000 feet with special waivers to do it and at that you'd better be military or government.

Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:18 am

CAPFlyer wrote:There are specific "supersonic" corridors for low-level work and otherwise you have to be over 60,000 feet with special waivers to do it and at that you'd better be military or government.


This is mostly correct, but not entirely. For example, U.S. Air Force T-38s routinely fly their Mach 1+ profiles between 30,000-35,000 feet in several Military Operating Areas (MOAs) in the United States.

One areas I used to do it was located about 50 miles north of Del Rio, Texas and another was about 70 miles east of San Antonio, Texas. There are other areas around the country that support active supersonic missions that are well below 60,000 feet, but are not "low-level" corridors.

The supersonic "footprint" of the Talon at Mach 1.1 was alleged to be pretty small, but with certain atmospheric conditions, we could really shake things up for the mink famers on the ground sometimes, even from 35,000 feet. Minks, apparently, can spontaneously die if they are frightnened. I think the Air Force has made quite a few payments to those farmers over the years. :o

Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:39 am

The MOA's have "corridors" within them that are approved for supersonic operations (at least that's how it is today) that are away from any structures that might be damaged by the operations. The most "famous" supersonic corridor in the US is "Red Route One" that is out of Mountain Home AFB which used to see the 34BS B-1Bs routinely near or exceeding the speed of sound while doing hard-ride terrain following at 500' AGL and occasionally below.

Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:46 pm

During the short time the Tu-144 was in Soviet service, there were many, many complaints of broken windows and cracked walls due to its flying too low.

If I recall correctly, the SR-71/A-12 had a few inadvertant incidents, as well.
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