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F16 BLAMED FOR 'SONIC BOOM'
Friday, August 5th, 2005 -- 3:02 pm
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
An F-16 jet is the suspected cause of a loud boom heard by many in Stevens Point and across eastern Portage County Thursday. The jet was flying 13-miles east of Stevens Point when if apparently broke the sound barrier for three seconds at around 1:05 p.m. Sonic booms occur when planes fly fast enough so the wind in front of the plane changes its shape and pressure instantly. Seven other F-16s and an F-18 took part in the training exercise within the eastern portion of Volk Field's airspace that stretches slightly north of Wisconsin Rapids, east to Waupaca and south toward Wisconsin Dells. The Portage County Sheriff Department received a couple dozen calls complaining of the loud “booming” noise. The government began flying supersonic aircraft back in the 1950’s. At that time, sonic booms would regularly crack windows, ceilings and cause other damage. Now, Federal Law is supposed to prohibit sonic booms near populated areas. Federal law prohibits sonic booms from happening over populated areas. In order to make a sonic boom, part of an aircraft must travel at 736 miles per hour or faster.
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