This note provides some qualitative impressions of the need for precise navigation in the S.S.T. operation having due regard to performance and noise. It highlights the increased signific ance of the vertical plane, but quantitative conclusions as to horizontal ability cannot be made in the absence of knowledge of traffic amounts. It suggests that any tactical ‘chasing’ of noise reduction through performance variations not planned before flight is impracticable.

In common with other aircraft types, the S.S.T. has three distinct phases of flight apart from take-off and landing: climb to cruise altitude, cruise and descent. The S.S.T. climb is characterized by an acceleration phase dividing the subsonic portion of flight from the supersonic. Similarly, the descent profile includes a deceleration phase which restores flight to the subsonic region. Contained in these three phases of flight unique to the S.S.T.—acceleration, supersonic flight and deceleration—are some of the special factors affecting aircraft navigation.