130 STAT. 628 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following: 

‘‘(1) HEAVY MAINTENANCE WORK.—The term ‘heavy maintenance work’ means a C-check, a D-check, or equivalent maintenance operation with respect to the airframe of a transportcategory aircraft.’’. 

(b) ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES TESTING.—The 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall ensure 

that— 

(1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking required pursuant 

to section 44733(d)(2) is published in the Federal Register; 

and 

(2) not later than 1 year after the date on which the 

notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register, the rulemaking is finalized. 

(c) BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 

ensure that each employee of a repair station certificated under 

part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, who performs 

a safety-sensitive function on an air carrier aircraft has undergone 

a pre-employment background investigation sufficient to determine 

whether the individual presents a threat to aviation safety, in 

a manner that is— 

(1) determined acceptable by the Administrator; 

(2) consistent with the applicable laws of the country in 

which the repair station is located; and 

(3) consistent with the United States obligations under 

international agreements. 

SEC. 2113. ENHANCED TRAINING FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. 

Section 44734(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(2) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the end 

and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(4) recognizing and responding to potential human trafficking victims.’’. 

Subtitle B—UAS Safety 

SEC. 2201. DEFINITIONS. 

(a) DEFINITIONS APPLIED.—In this subtitle, the terms 

‘‘unmanned aircraft’’, ‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’, and ‘‘small 

unmanned aircraft’’ have the meanings given those terms in section 

331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 

40101 note), as amended by this Act. 

(b) FAA MODERNIZATION AND REFORM ACT.—Section 331 of 

the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 

note) is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (6) by inserting ‘‘, including everything 

that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft’’ after 

‘‘55 pounds’’; and 

(2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(7) TEST RANGE.— 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Deadline. 

49 USC 44733 

note. 

Deadlines. 

Notice. 

Regulations. 

Federal Register, 

publication. 

49 USC 44733 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 130 STAT. 629 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘test range’ means a 

defined geographic area where research and development 

are conducted as authorized by the Administrator of the 

Federal Aviation Administration. 

‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘test range’ includes any 

of the 6 test ranges established by the Administrator of 

the Federal Aviation Administration under section 332(c), 

as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 

this subparagraph, and any public entity authorized by 

the Federal Aviation Administration as an unmanned aircraft system flight test center before January 1, 2009.’’. 

SEC. 2202. IDENTIFICATION STANDARDS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 

Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the President of RTCA, Inc., and the Director of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, shall convene industry 

stakeholders to facilitate the development of consensus standards 

for remotely identifying operators and owners of unmanned aircraft 

systems and associated unmanned aircraft. 

(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—As part of any standards developed 

under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure the consideration of— 

(1) requirements for remote identification of unmanned 

aircraft systems; 

(2) appropriate requirements for different classifications 

of unmanned aircraft systems operations, including public and 

civil; and 

(3) the feasibility of the development and operation of a 

publicly accessible online database of unmanned aircraft and 

the operators thereof, and any criteria for exclusion from the 

database. 

(c) DEADLINE.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 

committees of Congress a report on any standards developed under 

subsection (a). 

(d) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which 

the Administrator submits the report under subsection (c), the 

Administrator shall issue regulations or guidance, as appropriate, 

based on any standards developed under subsection (a). 

SEC. 2203. SAFETY STATEMENTS. 

(a) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—Beginning on the date that is 

1 year after the date of publication of the guidance under subsection 

(b)(1), a manufacturer of a small unmanned aircraft shall make 

available to the owner at the time of delivery of the small unmanned 

aircraft the safety statement described in subsection (b)(2). 

(b) SAFETY STATEMENT.— 

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

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 

Aviation Administration shall issue guidance for implementing 

this section. 

(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A safety statement required under 

subsection (a) shall include— 

(A) information about, and sources of, laws and regulations applicable to small unmanned aircraft; 

Deadline. 

Guidance. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Effective date. 

Deadline. 

Regulations. 

Reports. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Consultation. 

Deadline. 


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130 STAT. 630 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

(B) recommendations for using small unmanned aircraft in a manner that promotes the safety of persons 

and property; 

(C) the date that the safety statement was created 

or last modified; and 

(D) language approved by the Administrator regarding 

the following: 

(i) A person may operate the small unmanned 

aircraft as a model aircraft (as defined in section 336 

of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

(49 U.S.C. 40101 note)) or otherwise in accordance 

with Federal Aviation Administration authorization or 

regulation, including requirements for the completion 

of any applicable airman test. 

(ii) The definition of a model aircraft under section 

336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

(49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 

(iii) The requirements regarding the operation of 

a model aircraft under section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 

note). 

(iv) The Administrator may pursue enforcement 

action against a person operating model aircraft who 

endangers the safety of the national airspace system. 

(c) CIVIL PENALTY.—A person who violates subsection (a) shall 

be liable for each violation to the United States Government for 

a civil penalty described in section 46301(a) of title 49, United 

States Code. 

SEC. 2204. FACILITATING INTERAGENCY COOPERATION FOR 

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AUTHORIZATION IN SUPPORT OF 

FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS AND UTILITY RESTORATION. 

(a) FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall enter into agreements with the 

Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, as necessary, to continue the expeditious authorization of safe unmanned 

aircraft system operations in support of firefighting operations consistent with the requirements of section 334(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 

(b) UTILITY RESTORATION.—The Administrator shall enter into 

agreements with the Secretary of Energy and with such other 

agencies or parties, including the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency, as are necessary to facilitate the expeditious authorization 

of safe unmanned aircraft system operations in support of service 

restoration efforts of utilities. 

(c) DEFINITION OF UTILITY.—In this section, the term ‘‘utility’’ 

shall at a minimum include the definition in section 3(4) of the 

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2602(4)). 

SEC. 2205. INTERFERENCE WITH WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION, LAW 

ENFORCEMENT, OR EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORT BY 

OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 463 of title 49, United States Code, 

is amended by adding at the end the following: 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Contracts. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Recommendations. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 130 STAT. 631 

‘‘§ 46320. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation 

of unmanned aircraft 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), an 

individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and in so doing 

knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law 

enforcement, or emergency response effort is liable to the United 

States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000. 

‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.—This section does not apply to the operation 

of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the 

United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government 

(including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to 

a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) 

for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including 

firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response. 

‘‘(c) COMPROMISE AND SETOFF.— ‘‘(1) COMPROMISE.—The United States Government may 

compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this 

section. 

‘‘(2) SETOFF.—The United States Government may deduct 

the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under 

this section from the amounts the Government owes the person 

liable for the penalty. 

‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following definitions 

apply: 

‘‘(1) WILDFIRE.—The term ‘wildfire’ has the meaning given 

that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression 

Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m). 

‘‘(2) WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION.—The term ‘wildfire suppression’ means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a 

wildfire.’’. 

(b) FAA TO IMPOSE CIVIL PENALTY.—Section 46301(d)(2) of 

title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘section 

46320,’’ after ‘‘section 46319,’’. 

(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 463 of 

title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 

the following: 

‘‘46320. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft.’’. 

SEC. 2206. PILOT PROJECT FOR AIRPORT SAFETY AND AIRSPACE 

HAZARD MITIGATION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 

Administration shall establish a pilot program for airspace hazard 

mitigation at airports and other critical infrastructure using 

unmanned aircraft detection systems. 

(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the pilot program under 

subsection (a), the Administrator shall work with the Secretary 

of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads 

of other relevant Federal departments and agencies for the purpose 

of ensuring that technologies that are developed, tested, or deployed 

by those departments and agencies to mitigate threats posed by 

errant or hostile unmanned aircraft system operations do not 

adversely impact or interfere with safe airport operations, navigation, air traffic services, or the safe and efficient operation of the 

national airspace system. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

49 USC 

prec. 46301. 

49 USC 46320. 


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130 STAT. 632 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 

to be appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to 

carry out this section $6,000,000, to remain available until 

expended. 

(d) AUTHORITY.—After the pilot program established under subsection (a) ceases to be effective pursuant to subsection (g), the 

Administrator may use unmanned aircraft detection systems to 

detect and mitigate the unauthorized operation of an unmanned 

aircraft that poses a risk to aviation safety. 

(e) REPORT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 

the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results 

of the pilot program established under subsection (a). 

(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) 

shall include the following: 

(A) The number of unauthorized unmanned aircraft 

operations detected, together with a description of such 

operations. 

(B) The number of instances in which unauthorized 

unmanned aircraft were mitigated, together with a description of such instances. 

(C) The number of enforcement cases brought by the 

Federal Aviation Administration for unauthorized operation of unmanned aircraft detected through the pilot program, together with a description of such cases. 

(D) The number of any technical failures in the pilot 

program, together with a description of such failures. 

(E) Recommendations for safety and operational standards for unmanned aircraft detection systems. 

(F) The feasibility of deployment of the systems at 

other airports. 

(3) FORMAT.—To the extent practicable, the report prepared 

under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in a classified format. 

If appropriate, the report may include an unclassified summary. 

(f) SUNSET.—The pilot program established under subsection 

(a) shall cease to be effective on the earlier of— 

(1) the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment 

of this Act; and 

(2) the date of the submission of the report under subsection 

(e). 

SEC. 2207. EMERGENCY EXEMPTION PROCESS. 

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

enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 

Administration shall publish guidance for applications for, and 

procedures for the processing of, on an emergency basis, exemptions 

or certificates of authorization or waiver for the use of unmanned 

aircraft systems by civil or public operators in response to a catastrophe, disaster, or other emergency to facilitate emergency 

response operations, such as firefighting, search and rescue, and 

utility and infrastructure restoration efforts. In processing such 

applications, the Administrator shall give priority to applications 

for public unmanned aircraft systems engaged in emergency 

response activities. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In providing guidance under subsection 

(a), the Administrator shall— 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Deadline. 

Publication. 

Guidance. 

Procedures. 

Certification. 

Waiver authority. 

Classified 

information. 

Recommendations. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 130 STAT. 633 

(1) make explicit any safety requirements that must be 

met for the consideration of applications that include requests 

for beyond visual line of sight or nighttime operations, or the 

suspension of otherwise applicable operating restrictions, consistent with public interest and safety; and 

(2) explicitly state the procedures for coordinating with 

an incident commander, if any, to ensure operations granted 

under procedures developed under subsection (a) do not interfere with other emergency response efforts. 

(c) REVIEW.—In processing applications on an emergency basis 

for exemptions or certificates of authorization or waiver for 

unmanned aircraft systems operations in response to a catastrophe, 

disaster, or other emergency, the Administrator shall act on such 

applications as expeditiously as practicable and without requiring 

public notice and comment. 

SEC. 2208. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. 

(a) RESEARCH PLAN FOR UTM DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’), in coordination with the Administrator of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall continue development of a research plan for unmanned aircraft systems traffic 

management (in this section referred to as ‘‘UTM’’) development 

and deployment. 

(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the research plan, the 

Administrator shall— 

(A) identify research outcomes sought; and 

(B) ensure the plan is consistent with existing regulatory and operational frameworks, and considers potential 

future regulatory and operational frameworks, for 

unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system. 

(3) ASSESSMENT.—The research plan shall include an 

assessment of the interoperability of a UTM system with 

existing and potential future air traffic management systems 

and processes. 

(4) DEADLINES.—The Administrator shall— 

(A) initiate development of the research plan not later 

than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act; 

and 

(B) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act— 

(i) complete the research plan; 

(ii) submit the research plan to the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 

Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 

Technology and the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and 

(iii) publish the research plan on the Internet Web 

site of the Federal Aviation Administration. 

(b) PILOT PROGRAM.— 

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

of submission of the research plan under subsection (a)(4)(B), 

the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Drone 

Deadline. 

Coordination. 

Web posting. 

Coordination. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 


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130 STAT. 634 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

Advisory Committee, the research advisory committee established by section 44508(a) of title 49, United States Code, 

and representatives of the unmanned aircraft industry, shall 

establish a UTM system pilot program. 

(2) SUNSET.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 

establishment of the pilot program, the Administrator shall 

conclude the pilot program. 

(c) UPDATES.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 

establishment of the pilot program, and every 180 days thereafter 

until the date of conclusion of the pilot program, the Administrator 

shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 

Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives an update on the status 

and progress of the pilot program. 

SEC. 2209. APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION. 

(a) APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATION.—Not later than 180 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a process to allow applicants to petition the 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prohibit 

or restrict the operation of an unmanned aircraft in close proximity 

to a fixed site facility. 

(b) REVIEW PROCESS.— 

(1) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish 

the procedures for the application for designation under 

subsection (a). 

(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The procedures shall allow operators or proprietors of fixed site facilities to apply for designation individually or collectively. 

(C) CONSIDERATIONS.—Only the following may be 

considered fixed site facilities: 

(i) Critical infrastructure, such as energy production, transmission, and distribution facilities and 

equipment. 

(ii) Oil refineries and chemical facilities. 

(iii) Amusement parks. 

(iv) Other locations that warrant such restrictions. 

(2) DETERMINATION.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide for a 

determination under the review process established under 

subsection (a) not later than 90 days after the date of 

application, unless the applicant is provided with written 

notice describing the reason for the delay. 

(B) AFFIRMATIVE DESIGNATIONS.—An affirmative designation shall outline— 

(i) the boundaries for unmanned aircraft operation 

near the fixed site facility; and 

(ii) such other limitations that the Administrator 

determines may be appropriate. 

(C) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making a determination 

whether to grant or deny an application for a designation, 

the Administrator may consider— 

(i) aviation safety; 

(ii) protection of persons and property on the 

ground; 

Deadline. 

Notice. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Deadline. 

Deadlines. 


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(iii) national security; or 

(iv) homeland security. 

(D) OPPORTUNITY FOR RESUBMISSION.—If an application 

is denied, and the applicant can reasonably address the 

reason for the denial, the Administrator may allow the 

applicant to reapply for designation. 

(c) PUBLIC INFORMATION.—Designations under subsection (a) 

shall be published by the Federal Aviation Administration on a 

publicly accessible website. 

(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section may be construed 

as prohibiting the Administrator from authorizing operation of an 

aircraft, including an unmanned aircraft system, over, under, or 

within a specified distance from that fixed site facility designated 

under subsection (b). 

SEC. 2210. OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Any application process established under 

section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

(49 U.S.C. 40101 note) shall allow for a person to apply to the 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to operate 

an unmanned aircraft system, for purposes of conducting an activity 

described in subsection (b)— 

(1) beyond the visual line of sight of the individual operating the unmanned aircraft system; and 

(2) during the day or at night. 

(b) ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—The activities described in this subsection are— 

(1) activities for which manned aircraft may be used to 

comply with Federal, State, or local laws, including— 

(A) activities to ensure compliance with Federal or 

State regulatory, permit, or other requirements, including 

to conduct surveys associated with applications for permits 

for new pipeline or pipeline systems construction or maintenance or rehabilitation of existing pipelines or pipeline 

systems; and 

(B) activities relating to ensuring compliance with— 

(i) parts 192 and 195 of title 49, Code of Federal 

Regulations; and 

(ii) the requirements of any Federal, State, or local 

governmental or regulatory body, or industry best practice, pertaining to the construction, ownership, operation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of covered 

facilities; 

(2) activities to inspect, repair, construct, maintain, or protect covered facilities, including for the purpose of responding 

to a pipeline, pipeline system, or electric energy infrastructure 

incident; and 

(3) activities in response to or in preparation for a natural 

disaster, manmade disaster, severe weather event, or other 

incident beyond the control of the applicant that may cause 

material damage to a covered facility. 

(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following definitions 

apply: 

(1) COVERED FACILITY.—The term ‘‘covered facility’’ 

means— 

(A) a pipeline or pipeline system; 

Applicability. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Web posting. 


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130 STAT. 636 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

(B) an electric energy generation, transmission, or distribution facility (including a renewable electric energy 

facility); 

(C) an oil or gas production, refining, or processing 

facility; or 

(D) any other critical infrastructure facility. 

(2) CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term ‘‘critical infrastructure’’ has the meaning given that term in section 2339D 

of title 18, United States Code. 

(d) DEADLINES.— 

(1) CERTIFICATION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 

shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification that a process has been established to facilitate applications for unmanned aircraft systems operations described in 

this section. 

(2) FAILURE TO MEET CERTIFICATION DEADLINE.—If the 

Administrator cannot provide a certification under paragraph 

(1), the Administrator, not later than 180 days after the deadline specified in paragraph (1), shall update the process under 

section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

(49 U.S.C. 40101 note) to facilitate applications for unmanned 

aircraft systems operations described in this section. 

(e) EXEMPTIONS.—In addition to the operations described in 

this section, the Administrator may authorize, exempt, or otherwise 

allow other unmanned aircraft systems operations under section 

333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 

40101 note) that are conducted beyond the visual line of sight 

of the individual operating the unmanned aircraft system or during 

the day or at night. 

SEC. 2211. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP. 

Section 332(a)(5) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 

of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘, in coordination with the Administrator 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

and relevant stakeholders, including those in industry and 

academia,’’ after ‘‘update’’; and 

(2) by inserting after ‘‘annually.’’ the following: ‘‘The 

roadmap shall include, at a minimum— 

‘‘(A) cost estimates, planned schedules, and performance benchmarks, including specific tasks, milestones, and 

timelines, for unmanned aircraft systems integration into 

the national airspace system, including an identification 

of— 

‘‘(i) the role of the unmanned aircraft systems test 

ranges established under subsection (c) and the 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence; 

‘‘(ii) performance objectives for unmanned aircraft 

systems that operate in the national airspace system; 

and 

‘‘(iii) research and development priorities for tools 

that could assist air traffic controllers as unmanned 

aircraft systems are integrated into the national airspace system, as appropriate; 

Cost estimates. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 


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‘‘(B) a description of how the Administration plans 

to use research and development, including research and 

development conducted through NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management initiatives, to accommodate, integrate, and provide for the evolution of unmanned 

aircraft systems in the national airspace system; 

‘‘(C) an assessment of critical performance abilities necessary to integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the 

national airspace system, and how these performance abilities can be demonstrated; and 

‘‘(D) an update on the advancement of technologies 

needed to integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the 

national airspace system, including decisionmaking by 

adaptive systems, such as sense-and-avoid capabilities and 

cyber physical systems security.’’. 

SEC. 2212. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS-MANNED AIRCRAFT COLLISION RESEARCH. 

(a) RESEARCH.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 

Administration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’), 

in continuation of ongoing work, shall coordinate with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to 

develop a program to conduct comprehensive testing or modeling 

of unmanned aircraft systems colliding with various sized aircraft 

in various operational settings, as considered appropriate by the 

Administrator, including— 

(1) collisions between unmanned aircraft systems of various 

sizes, traveling at various speeds, and jet aircraft of various 

sizes, traveling at various speeds; 

(2) collisions between unmanned aircraft systems of various 

sizes, traveling at various speeds, and propeller-driven aircraft 

of various sizes, traveling at various speeds; 

(3) collisions between unmanned aircraft systems of various 

sizes, traveling at various speeds, and rotorcraft of various 

sizes, traveling at various speeds; and 

(4) collisions between unmanned aircraft systems and various parts of the aforementioned aircraft, including— 

(A) windshields; 

(B) noses; 

(C) engines; 

(D) radomes; 

(E) propellers; and 

(F) wings. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee 

on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

a report summarizing the costs and results of research under this 

section. 

SEC. 2213. PROBABILISTIC METRICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

STUDY. 

(a) STUDY.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 

to study the potential use of probabilistic assessments of risks 

by the Administration to streamline the integration of unmanned 

Deadline. 

Contracts. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Coordination. 

Testing. 

49 USC 40101 

note. 

Assessment. 


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130 STAT. 638 PUBLIC LAW 114–190—JULY 15, 2016 

aircraft systems into the national airspace system, including any 

research and development necessary. 

(b) COMPLETION DATE.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the results 

of the study to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 

House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 

and Transportation of the Senate. 

Subtitle C—Time Sensitive Aviation 

Reforms 

SEC. 2301. SMALL AIRPORT RELIEF FOR SAFETY PROJECTS. 

Section 47114(c)(1)(F) of title 49, United States Code, is 

amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(F) SPECIAL RULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall apportion 

to a sponsor of an airport under that subparagraph for 

fiscal year 2017 an amount based on the number of passenger boardings at the airport during calendar year 2012 

if the airport— 

‘‘(i) had 10,000 or more passenger boardings during 

calendar year 2012; 

‘‘(ii) had fewer than 10,000 passenger boardings 

during the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment for fiscal year 2017 under subparagraph (A); 

and 

‘‘(iii) had scheduled air service at any point during 

the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment 

for fiscal year 2017 under subparagraph (A).’’. 

SEC. 2302. USE OF REVENUES AT PREVIOUSLY ASSOCIATED AIRPORT. 

Section 40117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(n) USE OF REVENUES AT PREVIOUSLY ASSOCIATED AIRPORT.— 

Notwithstanding the requirements relating to airport control under 

subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may authorize use of a passenger 

facility charge under subsection (b) to finance an eligible airportrelated project if— 

‘‘(1) the eligible agency seeking to impose the new charge 

controls an airport where a $2.00 passenger facility charge 

became effective on January 1, 2013; and 

‘‘(2) the location of the project to be financed by the new 

charge is at an airport that was under the control of the 

same eligible agency that had controlled the airport described 

in paragraph (1).’’. 

SEC. 2303. WORKING GROUP ON IMPROVING AIR SERVICE TO SMALL 

COMMUNITIES. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a working group— 

(1) to identify obstacles to attracting and maintaining air 

transportation service to and from small communities; and 

Deadline. 

Establishment. 

Deadline. 


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