Sonic Booms

[jt23]

Does anyone know of some places in california or Nevada where you can hear sonic booms from military planes? I know they can't do that in urban areas but say somewhere near edwards afb or groom lake where you might be able to hear it. I think you would be fun to drive out to the dessert when it's not so hot park along the road somewhere and just listen for any sonic booms or even just jet activity.

[fxsttcb]

Over 50 years ago regs precluded going super-sonic over land in the US. It caused damage and was deemed unnecessary unless in an emergency incursion situation.
I doubt the rules have relaxed any.

Along with Edwards AFB, Nellis AFB and it's Range, MCAS Miramar, and NAWS China Lake are great for seeing regular ops.
Groom Lake has minimal flights, but, you could get lucky and catch a once in a lifetime viewing. Wherever you go, long lenses are the norm...Don

[Rocknicehunter]

The loudest boom I've ever heard was just recently while at home in Tucson. The Thunderbirds were practicing for an airshow at Davis-Monthan AFB when one of the team went supersonic in straight and level flight. Plenty of broken windows south of my house, but no injuires.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/air-force-t...-until-friday/

Years ago when I lived well south of Tucson it wasn't that rare to hear sonic booms in the distance.

When I lived in Florida, north of Tampa, we heard booms from the space shuttle when it returned from orbit quite often.

There are designated areas in Nevada and California where military are actually permitted to go supersonic during testing and training. Some good information can be found here:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question...s/q0060b.shtml

Civilian aircraft are banned from supersonic flight over the US, but it is permitted beyond the ADIZ.