H. R. 658—62 

(e) USE OF DESIGNEES.—The Administrator may use designees 

to carry out subsection (a) to the extent practicable in order to 

minimize the burdens on pilots. 

(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

a report on the issuance of improved pilot licenses under this 

section. 

(2) EXPIRATION.—The Administrator shall not be required 

to submit annual reports under this subsection after the date 

on which the Administrator has issued improved pilot licenses 

under this section to all pilots. 

Subtitle B—Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

SEC. 331. DEFINITIONS. 

In this subtitle, the following definitions apply: 

(1) ARCTIC.—The term ‘‘Arctic’’ means the United States 

zone of the Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea north 

of the Aleutian chain. 

(2) CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER; CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION.—The terms ‘‘certificate of waiver’’ and ‘‘certificate of 

authorization’’ mean a Federal Aviation Administration grant 

of approval for a specific flight operation. 

(3) PERMANENT AREAS.—The term ‘‘permanent areas’’ 

means areas on land or water that provide for launch, recovery, 

and operation of small unmanned aircraft. 

(4) PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘public 

unmanned aircraft system’’ means an unmanned aircraft 

system that meets the qualifications and conditions required 

for operation of a public aircraft (as defined in section 40102 

of title 49, United States Code). 

(5) SENSE AND AVOID CAPABILITY.—The term ‘‘sense and 

avoid capability’’ means the capability of an unmanned aircraft 

to remain a safe distance from and to avoid collisions with 

other airborne aircraft. 

(6) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘small 

unmanned aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft weighing less 

than 55 pounds. 

(7) TEST RANGE.—The term ‘‘test range’’ means a defined 

geographic area where research and development are conducted. 

(8) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘unmanned aircraft’’ 

means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of 

direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. 

(9) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘unmanned 

aircraft system’’ means an unmanned aircraft and associated 

elements (including communication links and the components 

that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the 

pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently in the 

national airspace system. 
H. R. 658—63 

SEC. 332. INTEGRATION OF CIVIL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 

INTO NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM. 

(a) REQUIRED PLANNING FOR INTEGRATION.— 

(1) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.—Not later than 270 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with representatives of the aviation 

industry, Federal agencies that employ unmanned aircraft systems technology in the national airspace system, and the 

unmanned aircraft systems industry, shall develop a comprehensive plan to safely accelerate the integration of civil 

unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. 

(2) CONTENTS OF PLAN.—The plan required under paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum, recommendations or 

projections on— 

(A) the rulemaking to be conducted under subsection 

(b), with specific recommendations on how the rulemaking 

will— 

(i) define the acceptable standards for operation 

and certification of civil unmanned aircraft systems; 

(ii) ensure that any civil unmanned aircraft system 

includes a sense and avoid capability; and 

(iii) establish standards and requirements for the 

operator and pilot of a civil unmanned aircraft system, 

including standards and requirements for registration 

and licensing; 

(B) the best methods to enhance the technologies and 

subsystems necessary to achieve the safe and routine operation of civil unmanned aircraft systems in the national 

airspace system; 

(C) a phased-in approach to the integration of civil 

unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 

system; 

(D) a timeline for the phased-in approach described 

under subparagraph (C); 

(E) creation of a safe 

(F) airspace designation for cooperative manned and 

unmanned flight operations in the national airspace 

system; 

(G) establishment of a process to develop certification, 

flight standards, and air traffic requirements for civil 

unmanned aircraft systems at test ranges where such systems are subject to testing; 

(H) the best methods to ensure the safe operation 

of civil unmanned aircraft systems and public unmanned 

aircraft systems simultaneously in the national airspace 

system; and 

(I) incorporation of the plan into the annual NextGen 

Implementation Plan document (or any successor document) of the Federal Aviation Administration. 

(3) DEADLINE.—The plan required under paragraph (1) 

shall provide for the safe integration of civil unmanned aircraft 

systems into the national airspace system as soon as practicable, but not later than September 30, 2015. 

(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 

to Congress a copy of the plan required under paragraph (1). 
H. R. 658—64 

(5) ROADMAP.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall approve and make 

available in print and on the Administration’s Internet Web 

site a 5-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned 

aircraft systems into the national airspace system, as coordinated by the Unmanned Aircraft Program Office of the Administration. The Secretary shall update the roadmap annually. 

(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after the date 

on which the plan required under subsection (a)(1) is submitted 

to Congress under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary shall publish 

in the Federal Register— 

(1) a final rule on small unmanned aircraft systems that 

will allow for civil operation of such systems in the national 

airspace system, to the extent the systems do not meet the 

requirements for expedited operational authorization under section 333 of this Act; 

(2) a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the recommendations of the plan required under subsection (a)(1), 

with the final rule to be published not later than 16 months 

after the date of publication of the notice; and 

(3) an update to the Administration’s most recent policy 

statement on unmanned aircraft systems, contained in Docket 

No. FAA–2006–25714. 

(c) PILOT PROJECTS.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 

a program to integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the 

national airspace system at 6 test ranges. The program shall 

terminate 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

(2) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the program 

under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 

(A) safely designate airspace for integrated manned 

and unmanned flight operations in the national airspace 

system; 

(B) develop certification standards and air traffic 

requirements for unmanned flight operations at test 

ranges; 

(C) coordinate with and leverage the resources of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the 

Department of Defense; 

(D) address both civil and public unmanned aircraft 

systems; 

(E) ensure that the program is coordinated with the 

Next Generation Air Transportation System; and 

(F) provide for verification of the safety of unmanned 

aircraft systems and related navigation procedures before 

integration into the national airspace system. 

(3) TEST RANGE LOCATIONS.—In determining the location 

of the 6 test ranges of the program under paragraph (1), the 

Administrator shall— 

(A) take into consideration geographic and climatic 

diversity; 

(B) take into consideration the location of ground infrastructure and research needs; and 

(C) consult with the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration and the Department of Defense. 
H. R. 658—65 

(4) TEST RANGE OPERATION.—A project at a test range 

shall be operational not later than 180 days after the date 

on which the project is established. 

(5) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 

date of the termination of the program under paragraph 

(1), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 

the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and 

the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 

House of Representatives a report setting forth the 

Administrator’s findings and conclusions concerning the 

projects. 

(B) ADDITIONAL CONTENTS.—The report under subparagraph (A) shall include a description and assessment of 

the progress being made in establishing special use airspace 

to fill the immediate need of the Department of Defense— 

(i) to develop detection techniques for small 

unmanned aircraft systems; and 

(ii) to validate the sense and avoid capability and 

operation of unmanned aircraft systems. 

(d) EXPANDING USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN

ARCTIC.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan 

and initiate a process to work with relevant Federal agencies 

and national and international communities to designate 

permanent areas in the Arctic where small unmanned aircraft 

may operate 24 hours per day for research and commercial 

purposes. The plan for operations in these permanent areas 

shall include the development of processes to facilitate the 

safe operation of unmanned aircraft beyond line of sight. Such 

areas shall enable over-water flights from the surface to at 

least 2,000 feet in altitude, with ingress and egress routes 

from selected coastal launch sites. 

(2) AGREEMENTS.—To implement the plan under paragraph 

(1), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with relevant 

national and international communities. 

(3) AIRCRAFT APPROVAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 

entry into force of an agreement necessary to effectuate the 

purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall work with relevant national and international communities to establish and 

implement a process, or may apply an applicable process 

already established, for approving the use of unmanned aircraft 

in the designated permanent areas in the Arctic without regard 

to whether an unmanned aircraft is used as a public aircraft, 

a civil aircraft, or a model aircraft. 

SEC. 333. SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other requirement of 

this subtitle, and not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall determine if 

certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the 

national airspace system before completion of the plan and rulemaking required by section 332 of this Act or the guidance required 

by section 334 of this Act. 
H. R. 658—66 

(b) ASSESSMENT OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.—In making 

the determination under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine, at a minimum— 

(1) which types of unmanned aircraft systems, if any, as 

a result of their size, weight, speed, operational capability, 

proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within 

visual line of sight do not create a hazard to users of the 

national airspace system or the public or pose a threat to 

national security; and 

(2) whether a certificate of waiver, certificate of authorization, or airworthiness certification under section 44704 of title 

49, United States Code, is required for the operation of 

unmanned aircraft systems identified under paragraph (1). 

(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.—If the Secretary 

determines under this section that certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such 

aircraft systems in the national airspace system. 

SEC. 334. PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 

(a) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue guidance regarding the operation of public unmanned aircraft systems 

to— 

(1) expedite the issuance of a certificate of authorization 

process; 

(2) provide for a collaborative process with public agencies 

to allow for an incremental expansion of access to the national 

airspace system as technology matures and the necessary safety 

analysis and data become available, and until standards are 

completed and technology issues are resolved; 

(3) facilitate the capability of public agencies to develop 

and use test ranges, subject to operating restrictions required 

by the Federal Aviation Administration, to test and operate 

unmanned aircraft systems; and 

(4) provide guidance on a public entity’s responsibility when 

operating an unmanned aircraft without a civil airworthiness 

certificate issued by the Administration. 

(b) STANDARDS FOR OPERATION AND CERTIFICATION.—Not later 

than December 31, 2015, the Administrator shall develop and implement operational and certification requirements for the operation 

of public unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace 

system. 

(c) AGREEMENTS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into agreements with appropriate government agencies to simplify the 

process for issuing certificates of waiver or authorization with 

respect to applications seeking authorization to operate public 

unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system. 

(2) CONTENTS.—The agreements shall— 

(A) with respect to an application described in paragraph (1)— 

(i) provide for an expedited review of the application; 
H. R. 658—67 

(ii) require a decision by the Administrator on 

approval or disapproval within 60 business days of 

the date of submission of the application; and 

(iii) allow for an expedited appeal if the application 

is disapproved; 

(B) allow for a one-time approval of similar operations 

carried out during a fixed period of time; and 

(C) allow a government public safety agency to operate 

unmanned aircraft weighing 4.4 pounds or less, if operated— 

(i) within the line of sight of the operator; 

(ii) less than 400 feet above the ground; 

(iii) during daylight conditions; 

(iv) within Class G airspace; and 

(v) outside of 5 statute miles from any airport, 

heliport, seaplane base, spaceport, or other location 

with aviation activities. 

SEC. 335. SAFETY STUDIES. 

The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 

carry out all safety studies necessary to support the integration 

of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. 

SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law 

relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into 

Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this 

subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 

may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model 

aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if— 

(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational 

use; 

(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a communitybased set of safety guidelines and within the programming 

of a nationwide community-based organization; 

(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds 

unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, 

inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization; 

(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not 

interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and 

(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator 

of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport 

air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located 

at the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft 

operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of 

an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating 

procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic 

control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the 

airport)). 

(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 

be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue 

enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who 

endanger the safety of the national airspace system. 

(c) MODEL AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘model 

aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft that is— 

(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; 
H. R. 658—68 

(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating 

the aircraft; and 

(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes. 

Subtitle C—Safety and Protections 

SEC. 341. AVIATION SAFETY WHISTLEBLOWER INVESTIGATION OFFICE. 

Section 106 (as amended by this Act) is further amended by 

adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(t) AVIATION SAFETY WHISTLEBLOWER INVESTIGATION

OFFICE.— 

‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Federal 

Aviation Administration (in this subsection referred to as the 

‘Agency’) an Aviation Safety Whistleblower Investigation Office 

(in this subsection referred to as the ‘Office’). 

‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.— 

‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—The head of the Office shall be 

the Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of 

Transportation. 

‘‘(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director shall have a demonstrated ability in investigations and knowledge of or 

experience in aviation. 

‘‘(C) TERM.—The Director shall be appointed for a term 

of 5 years. 

‘‘(D) VACANCIES.—Any individual appointed to fill a 

vacancy in the position of the Director occurring before 

the expiration of the term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder 

of that term. 

‘‘(3) COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS.— 

‘‘(A) AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR.—The Director shall— 

‘‘(i) receive complaints and information submitted 

by employees of persons holding certificates issued 

under title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (if the 

certificate holder does not have a similar in-house 

whistleblower or safety and regulatory noncompliance 

reporting process) and employees of the Agency concerning the possible existence of an activity relating 

to a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other 

provision of Federal law relating to aviation safety; 

‘‘(ii) assess complaints and information submitted 

under clause (i) and determine whether a substantial 

likelihood exists that a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other provision of Federal law relating 

to aviation safety has occurred; and 

‘‘(iii) based on findings of the assessment conducted 

under clause (ii), make recommendations to the 

Administrator of the Agency, in writing, regarding further investigation or corrective actions. 

‘‘(B) DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITIES.—The Director shall 

not disclose the identity of an individual who submits a 

complaint or information under subparagraph (A)(i) 

unless— 

‘‘(i) the individual consents to the disclosure in 

writing; or