127 
‘‘(2) The number of flights and hours flown, by 
registration number, during which helicopters oper-
ated by the certificate holder were providing heli-
copter air ambulance services. 
‘‘(3) The number of flight requests for a heli-
copter providing air ambulance services that were 
accepted or declined by the certificate holder and the 
type of each such flight request (such as scene re-
sponse, interfacility transport, organ transport, or 
ferry or repositioning flight). 
‘‘(4) The number of accidents, if any, involving 
helicopters operated by the certificate holder while 
providing air ambulance services and a description 
of the accidents. 
‘‘(5) The number of flights and hours flown 
under instrument flight rules by helicopters operated 
by the certificate holder while providing air ambu-
lance services. 
‘‘(6) The time of day of each flight flown by 
helicopters operated by the certificate holder while 
providing air ambulance services. 
‘‘(7) The number of incidents, if any, in which 
a helicopter was not directly dispatched and arrived 
to transport patients but was not utilized for patient 
transport.
128 
‘‘(b) REPORTING PERIOD.—Data contained in a re-
port submitted by a part 135 certificate holder under sub-
section (a) shall relate to such reporting period as the Ad-
ministrator determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) DATABASE.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall 
develop a method to collect and store the data collected 
under subsection (a), including a method to protect the 
confidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary informa-
tion provided in response to this section. 
‘‘(d) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 24 
months after the date of enactment of this section, and 
annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
containing a summary of the data collected under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(e) PART 135 CERTIFICATE HOLDER DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘part 135 certificate holder’ 
means a person holding a certificate issued under part 135 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.’’. 
(b) 
AUTHORIZED
EXPENDITURES.—Section 
106(k)(2)(C) (as redesignated by this Act) is amended by 
inserting before the period the following: ‘‘and the develop-
129 
ment and maintenance of helicopter approach proce-
dures’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘444730. Helicopter air ambulance operations. 
‘‘444731. Collection of data on helicopter air ambulance operations.’’. 
SEC. 311. OFF-AIRPORT, LOW-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT WEATH-
ER OBSERVATION TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall conduct a review of off-airport, 
low-altitude aircraft weather observation technologies. 
(b) SPECIFIC REVIEW.—The review shall include, at 
a minimum, an examination of off-airport, low-altitude 
weather reporting needs, an assessment of technical alter-
natives (including automated weather observation sta-
tions), an investment analysis, and recommendations for 
improving weather reporting. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to Congress a report containing the results of the review. 
SEC. 312. FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING HELICOPTER PILOTS 
TO USE NIGHT VISION GOGGLES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall carry out a study on the feasi-
bility of requiring pilots of helicopters providing air ambu-
lance services under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal
130 
Regulations, to use night vision goggles during nighttime 
operations. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study, the 
Administrator shall consult with owners and operators of 
helicopters providing air ambulance services under such 
part 135 and aviation safety professionals to determine 
the benefits, financial considerations, and risks associated 
with requiring the use of night vision goggles. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 313. PROHIBITION ON PERSONAL USE OF ELEC-
TRONIC DEVICES ON FLIGHT DECK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 (as amended by this 
Act) is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 44732. Prohibition on personal use of electronic 
devices on flight deck 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—It is unlawful for a flight crew-
member of an aircraft used to provide air transportation 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
to use a personal wireless communications device or laptop
131 
computer while at the flight crewmember’s duty station 
on the flight deck of such an aircraft while the aircraft 
is being operated. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
the use of a personal wireless communications device or 
laptop computer for a purpose directly related to operation 
of the aircraft, or for emergency, safety-related, or em-
ployment-related communications, in accordance with pro-
cedures established by the air carrier and the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(c) ENFORCEMENT.—In addition to the penalties 
provided under section 46301 applicable to any violation 
of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration may enforce compliance with this section 
under section 44709 by amending, modifying, suspending, 
or revoking a certificate under this chapter. 
‘‘(d) PERSONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DE-
VICE DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘personal wire-
less communications device’ means a device through which 
personal 
wireless 
services 
(as 
defined 
in 
section 
332(c)(7)(C)(i) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. 332(c)(7)(C)(i))) are transmitted.’’. 
(b) PENALTY.—Section 44711(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon in 
paragraph (8);
132 
(2) by striking ‘‘title.’’ in paragraph (9) and in-
serting ‘‘title; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) violate section 44732 or any regulation 
issued thereunder.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 447 (as amended by this Act) is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44732. Prohibition on personal use of electronic devices on flight deck.’’. 
(d) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a rule-
making procedure for regulations to carry out section 
44732 of title 49, United States Code, and shall issue a 
final rule thereunder not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(e) STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall review rel-
evant air carrier data and carry out a study— 
(A) to identify common sources of distrac-
tion for the flight crewmembers on the flight 
deck of a commercial aircraft; and 
(B) to determine the safety impacts of 
such distractions.
133 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report that con-
tains— 
(A) the findings of the study conducted 
under paragraph (1); and 
(B) recommendations regarding how to re-
duce distractions for flight crewmembers on the 
flight deck of a commercial aircraft. 
SEC. 314. NONCERTIFICATED MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue regulations re-
quiring that covered work on an aircraft used to provide 
air transportation under part 121 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, be performed by persons in accordance 
with subsection (b). 
(b) PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM CERTAIN 
WORK.—A person may perform covered work on aircraft 
used to provide air transportation under part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, only if the person is em-
ployed by—
134 
(1) a part 121 air carrier; 
(2) a part 145 repair station or a person au-
thorized under section 43.17 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; or 
(3) subject to subsection (c), a person that— 
(A) provides contract maintenance work-
ers, services, or maintenance functions to a part 
145 repair station or part 121 air carrier; and 
(B) meets the requirements of the part 
121 air carrier or the part 145 repair station. 
(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—Covered work per-
formed by a person who is employed by a person described 
in subsection (b)(3) shall be subject to the following terms 
and conditions: 
(1) The part 121 air carrier or the part 145 re-
pair station shall be directly in charge of the covered 
work being performed. 
(2) The covered work shall be carried out in ac-
cordance with the part 121 air carrier’s maintenance 
manual. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) COVERED
WORK.—The term ‘‘covered 
work’’ means a required inspection item, as defined 
by the Administrator.
135 
(2) PART 121 AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘part 
121 air carrier’’ means an air carrier that holds a 
certificate issued under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
(3) PART
145
REPAIR
STATION.—The term 
‘‘part 145 repair station’’ means a repair station 
that holds a certificate issued under part 145 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 315. INSPECTION OF FOREIGN REPAIR STATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 (as amended by this 
Act) is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 44733. Inspection of foreign repair stations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and imple-
ment a safety assessment system for each part 145 repair 
station based on the type, scope, and complexity of work 
being performed by the repair station, which shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that repair stations outside the 
United States are subject to appropriate inspections 
that are based on identified risks and consistent 
with United States requirements; 
‘‘(2) accept consideration of inspection results 
and findings submitted by foreign civil aviation au-
136 
thorities operating under a maintenance safety or 
maintenance implementation agreement with the 
United States in meeting the requirements of the 
safety assessment system; and 
‘‘(3) require all maintenance safety or mainte-
nance implementation agreements with the United 
States to provide an opportunity for the Federal 
Aviation Administration to conduct independent in-
spections of covered part 145 repair stations when 
safety concerns warrant such inspections. 
‘‘(b) NOTICE TO CONGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS.—The 
Administrator shall notify the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives on or before the 30th day after initi-
ating formal negotiations with a foreign aviation authority 
or other appropriate foreign government agency on a new 
maintenance safety or maintenance implementation agree-
ment. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this section, and annually there-
after, the Administrator shall publish a report on the Ad-
ministration’s oversight of part 145 repair stations and 
implementation of the safety assessment system required 
by subsection (a), which shall—
137 
‘‘(1) describe in detail any improvements in the 
Federal Aviation Administration’s ability to identify 
and track where part 121 air carrier repair work is 
performed; 
‘‘(2) include a staffing model to determine the 
best placement of inspectors and the number of in-
spectors needed for the oversight and implementa-
tion; 
‘‘(3) describe the training provided to inspectors 
with respect to the oversight and implementation; 
‘‘(4) include an assessment of the quality of 
monitoring and surveillance by the Federal Aviation 
Administration of work provided by its inspectors 
and the inspectors of foreign authorities operating 
under a maintenance safety or maintenance imple-
mentation agreement with the United States; and 
‘‘(5) specify the number of sample inspections 
performed by Federal Aviation Administration in-
spectors at each repair station that is covered by a 
maintenance safety or maintenance implementation 
agreement with the United States. 
‘‘(d) ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE TEST-
ING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State and 
the Secretary of Transportation shall request, joint-
138 
ly, the governments of foreign countries that are 
members of the International Civil Aviation Organi-
zation to establish international standards for alco-
hol and controlled substances testing of persons that 
perform safety-sensitive maintenance functions on 
commercial air carrier aircraft. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION
TO
PART
121
AIRCRAFT 
WORK.—Not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this section, the Administrator shall pro-
mulgate a proposed rule requiring that all part 145 
repair station employees responsible for safety-sen-
sitive maintenance functions on part 121 air carrier 
aircraft are subject to an alcohol and controlled sub-
stances testing program that is determined accept-
able by the Administrator and is consistent with the 
applicable laws of the country in which the repair 
station is located. 
‘‘(e) INSPECTIONS.—The Administrator shall require 
part 145 repair stations to be inspected as frequently as 
determined warranted by the safety assessment system re-
quired by subsection (a), regardless of where the station 
is located, and in a manner consistent with United States 
obligations under international agreements. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply:
139 
‘‘(1) PART 121 AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘part 
121 air carrier’ means an air carrier that holds a 
certificate issued under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(2) PART
145
REPAIR
STATION.—The term 
‘part 145 repair station’ means a repair station that 
holds a certificate issued under part 145 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 447 (as amended by this Act) is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44733. Inspection of foreign repair stations.’’. 
SEC. 316. SUNSET OF LINE CHECK. 
Section 44729(h) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) SUNSET OF LINE CHECK.—Paragraph (2) 
shall cease to be effective following the one-year pe-
riod beginning on the date of enactment of the FAA 
Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 unless the 
Secretary certifies that the requirements of para-
graph (2) are necessary to ensure safety.’’. 
Subtitle B—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems 
SEC. 321. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
140 
(1) CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER; CERTIFICATE OF 
AUTHORIZATION.—The term ‘‘certificate of waiver’’ 
or ‘‘certificate of authorization’’ means a Federal 
Aviation Administration grant of approval for a spe-
cific flight operation. 
(2) 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 air-
craft. 
(3) PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.— 
The term ‘‘public unmanned aircraft system’’ means 
an unmanned aircraft system that meets the quali-
fications and conditions required for operation of a 
public aircraft, as defined by section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(4) SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—The term 
‘‘small unmanned aircraft’’ means an unmanned air-
craft weighing less than 55 pounds. 
(5) TEST
RANGE.—The term ‘‘test range’’ 
means a defined geographic area where research and 
development are conducted. 
(6) UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘un-
manned aircraft’’ means an aircraft that is operated
141 
without the possibility of direct human intervention 
from within or on the aircraft. 
(7) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ means an unmanned 
aircraft and associated elements (including commu-
nication links and the components that control the 
unmanned aircraft) that are required for the pilot in 
command to operate safely and efficiently in the na-
tional airspace system. 
SEC. 322. CIVIL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INTEGRA-
TION PLAN. 
(a) INTEGRATION PLAN.— 
(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 integrate civil un-
manned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system. 
(2) MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS.—In developing 
the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at 
a minimum—
142 
(A) review technologies and research that 
will assist in facilitating the safe integration of 
civil unmanned aircraft systems into the na-
tional airspace system; 
(B) provide recommendations or projec-
tions for the rulemaking to be conducted under 
subsection (b)— 
(i) to define the acceptable standards 
for operations and certification of civil un-
manned aircraft systems; 
(ii) to ensure that civil unmanned air-
craft systems include a sense and avoid ca-
pability, if necessary for safety purposes; 
(iii) to develop standards and require-
ments for unmanned aircraft systems sense 
and avoid performance; and 
(iv) to develop standards and require-
ments for the operator and pilot of a com-
mercial unmanned aircraft system, includ-
ing standards and requirements for reg-
istration and licensing; 
(C) recommend how best to enhance the 
technologies and subsystems necessary to pro-
vide for the safe and routine operations of com-
143 
mercial unmanned aircraft systems in the na-
tional airspace system; and 
(D) recommend how a phased-in approach 
for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft 
systems into the national airspace system can 
best be achieved and a timeline upon which 
such a phase-in shall occur. 
(3) DEADLINE.—The plan to be developed 
under paragraph (1) shall provide for the safe inte-
gration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system not later than September 
30, 2015. 
(4) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—The Secretary 
shall submit to Congress— 
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, a copy of the plan devel-
oped under paragraph (1); and 
(B) annually thereafter, a report on the ac-
tivities of the Secretary under this section. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date on which the integration plan is submitted to 
Congress under subsection (a)(4), the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall publish in the 
Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to im-
plement the recommendations of the integration plan.
144 
SEC. 323. SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN UNMANNED AIR-
CRAFT SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall determine if certain unmanned aircraft sys-
tems may operate safely in the national airspace system. 
The Secretary may make such determination before com-
pletion of the plan and rulemaking required by section 322 
of this Act or the guidance required by section 324 of this 
Act. 
(b) ASSESSMENT
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEMS.—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, oper-
ational capability, proximity to airports and popu-
lation areas, and operation within visual line-of-sight 
do not create a hazard to users of the national air-
space system or the public or pose a threat to na-
tional security; and 
(2) whether a certificate of waiver, certificate of 
authorization, or airworthiness certification under 
section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, is re-
quired for the operation of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems identified under paragraph (1).
145 
(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.—If the 
Secretary determines under this section that certain un-
manned aircraft systems may operate safely in the na-
tional airspace system, the Secretary shall establish re-
quirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems 
in the national airspace system. 
SEC. 324. PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 
(a) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall issue guidance regarding the operation of pub-
lic unmanned aircraft systems to— 
(1) expedite the issuance of a certificate of au-
thorization process; 
(2) provide for a collaborative process with pub-
lic agencies to allow for an incremental expansion of 
access to the national airspace system as technology 
matures, as 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 re-
strictions required by the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration, to test and operate unmanned aircraft sys-
tems; and
146 
(4) provide guidance on a public entity’s re-
sponsibility when operating an unmanned aircraft 
without a civil airworthiness certificate issued by the 
Federal Aviation Administration. 
(b) STANDARDS
FOR OPERATION
AND CERTIFI-
CATION.—Not later than December 31, 2015, the Sec-
retary shall develop and implement operational and certifi-
cation requirements for operational procedures for public 
unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace sys-
tem. 
(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 govern-
ment agencies to simplify the process for issuing cer-
tificates 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 de-
scribed in paragraph (1)— 
(i) provide for an expedited review of 
the application;
147 
(ii) require a decision by the Adminis-
trator 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 simi-
lar operations carried out during a fixed period 
of time; and 
(C) allow a government public safety agen-
cy to operate unmanned aircraft weighing 4.4 
pounds or less, within the line of sight of the 
operator, less than 400 feet above the ground 
during daylight conditions, within Class G air-
space, outside of 5 statute miles from any air-
port, heliport, seaplane base or spaceport, or 
any location with aviation activities. 
SEC. 325. SAFETY STUDIES. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall carry out all safety studies necessary to sup-
port the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system. 
SEC. 326. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TEST RANGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
148 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a program 
to integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national 
airspace system at not fewer than 4 test ranges. 
(b) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the 
program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) safely designate nonexclusionary airspace 
for integrated manned and unmanned flight oper-
ations in the national airspace system; 
(2) develop certification standards and air traf-
fic requirements for unmanned flight operations at 
test ranges; 
(3) coordinate with and leverage the resources 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion and the Department of Defense; 
(4) address both civil and public unmanned air-
craft systems; 
(5) ensure that the program is coordinated with 
the Next Generation Air Transportation System; 
and 
(6) provide for verification of the safety of un-
manned aircraft systems and related navigation pro-
cedures before integration into the national airspace 
system.
149 
(c) TEST RANGE LOCATIONS.—In determining the 
location of the 4 test ranges of the program under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) take into consideration geographic and cli-
matic diversity; and 
(2) after consulting with the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
and the Secretary of the Air Force, take into consid-
eration the location of available research radars. 
Subtitle C—Safety and Protections 
SEC. 331. POSTEMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS FOR FLIGHT 
STANDARDS INSPECTORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44711 is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) POSTEMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS FOR FLIGHT 
STANDARDS INSPECTORS.— 
‘‘(1) PROHIBITION.—A person holding an oper-
ating certificate issued under title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, may not knowingly employ, or 
make a contractual arrangement that permits, an in-
dividual to act as an agent or representative of the 
certificate holder in any matter before the Federal 
Aviation Administration if the individual, in the pre-
ceding 2-year period—
150 
‘‘(A) served as, or was responsible for over-
sight of, a flight standards inspector of the Ad-
ministration; and 
‘‘(B) had responsibility to inspect, or over-
see inspection of, the operations of the certifi-
cate holder. 
‘‘(2) WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.— 
For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual shall 
be considered to be acting as an agent or representa-
tive of a certificate holder in a matter before the Ad-
ministration if the individual makes any written or 
oral communication on behalf of the certificate hold-
er to the Administration (or any of its officers or 
employees) in connection with a particular matter, 
whether or not involving a specific party and without 
regard to whether the individual has participated in, 
or had responsibility for, the particular matter while 
serving as a flight standards inspector of the Admin-
istration.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall not apply to an individual employed by 
a certificate holder as of the date of enactment of this 
Act.
151 
SEC. 332. REVIEW OF AIR TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT 
SYSTEM DATABASE. 
(a) REVIEWS.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall establish a process by which 
the air transportation oversight system database of the 
Administration is reviewed by regional teams of employees 
of the Administration, including at least one employee on 
each team representing aviation safety inspectors, on a 
monthly basis to ensure that— 
(1) any trends in regulatory compliance are 
identified; and 
(2) appropriate corrective actions are taken in 
accordance with Administration regulations, advisory 
directives, policies, and procedures. 
(b) MONTHLY TEAM REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A regional team of employ-
ees conducting a monthly review of the air transpor-
tation oversight system database under subsection 
(a) shall submit to the Administrator, the Associate 
Administrator for Aviation Safety, and the Director 
of Flight Standards Service a report each month on 
the results of the review. 
(2) CONTENTS.—A report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall identify—
152 
(A) any trends in regulatory compliance 
discovered by the team of employees in con-
ducting the monthly review; and 
(B) any corrective actions taken or pro-
posed to be taken in response to the trends. 
(c) BIANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Ad-
ministrator, on a biannual basis, shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
results of the reviews of the air transportation oversight 
system database conducted under this section, including 
copies of reports received under subsection (b). 
SEC. 333. IMPROVED VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE REPORTING 
SYSTEM. 
(a) VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE REPORTING PROGRAM 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘Voluntary Disclo-
sure Reporting Program’’ means the program established 
by the Federal Aviation Administration through Advisory 
Circular 00–58A, dated September 8, 2006, including any 
subsequent revisions thereto. 
(b) VERIFICATION.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall modify the Voluntary 
Disclosure Reporting Program to require inspectors to—
153 
(1) verify that air carriers are implementing 
comprehensive solutions to correct the underlying 
causes of the violations voluntarily disclosed by such 
air carriers; and 
(2) confirm, before approving a final report of 
a violation, that a violation with the same root 
causes, has not been previously discovered by an in-
spector or self-disclosed by the air carrier. 
(c) SUPERVISORY REVIEW OF VOLUNTARY SELF-DIS-
CLOSURES.—The Administrator shall establish a process 
by which voluntary self-disclosures received from air car-
riers are reviewed and approved by a supervisor after the 
initial review by an inspector. 
(d) INSPECTOR GENERAL STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Inspector General of 
the Department of Transportation shall conduct a 
study of the Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Pro-
gram. 
(2) REVIEW.—In conducting the study, the In-
spector General shall examine, at a minimum, if the 
Administration— 
(A) conducts comprehensive reviews of vol-
untary disclosure reports before closing a vol-
untary disclosure report under the provisions of 
the program;
154 
(B) evaluates the effectiveness of corrective 
actions taken by air carriers; and 
(C) effectively prevents abuse of the vol-
untary disclosure reporting program through its 
secondary review of self-disclosures before they 
are accepted and closed by the Administration. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
study conducted under this section. 
SEC. 334. AVIATION WHISTLEBLOWER INVESTIGATION OF-
FICE. 
Section 106 (as amended by this Act) is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(t) AVIATION SAFETY WHISTLEBLOWER INVES-
TIGATION OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section 
referred to as the ‘Agency’) an Aviation Safety 
Whistleblower Investigation Office (in this sub-
section referred to as the ‘Office’). 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—
155 
‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—The head of the Of-
fice shall be the Director, who shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary of Transportation. 
‘‘(B) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—The 
Director 
shall have a demonstrated ability in investiga-
tions and knowledge of or experience in avia-
tion. 
‘‘(C) TERM.—The Director shall be ap-
pointed for a term of 5 years. 
‘‘(D) VACANCY.—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 ap-
pointed shall be appointed for the remainder of 
that term. 
‘‘(3) COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR.—The Di-
rector shall— 
‘‘(i) receive complaints and informa-
tion submitted by employees of persons 
holding certificates issued under title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and employ-
ees of the Agency concerning the possible 
existence of an activity relating to a viola-
tion of an order, regulation, or standard of
156 
the Agency or any other provision of Fed-
eral law relating to aviation safety; 
‘‘(ii) assess complaints and informa-
tion submitted under clause (i) and deter-
mine whether a substantial likelihood ex-
ists that a violation of an order, regulation, 
or standard of the Agency or any other 
provision of Federal law relating to avia-
tion safety has occurred; and 
‘‘(iii) based on findings of the assess-
ment conducted under clause (ii), make 
recommendations to the Administrator in 
writing for further investigation or correc-
tive actions. 
‘‘(B) DISCLOSURE
OF
IDENTITIES.—The 
Director shall not disclose the identity of an in-
dividual who submits a complaint or informa-
tion under subparagraph (A)(i) unless— 
‘‘(i) the individual consents to the dis-
closure in writing; or 
‘‘(ii) the Director determines, in the 
course of an investigation, that the disclo-
sure is required by regulation, statute, or 
court order, or is otherwise unavoidable, in 
which case the Director shall provide the
157 
individual reasonable advanced notice of 
the disclosure. 
‘‘(C) INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTOR.—The 
Secretary, the Administrator, or any officer or 
employee of the Agency may not prevent or pro-
hibit the Director from initiating, carrying out, 
or completing any assessment of a complaint or 
information submitted under subparagraph 
(A)(i) or from reporting to Congress on any 
such assessment. 
‘‘(D) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—In con-
ducting an assessment of a complaint or infor-
mation submitted under subparagraph (A)(i), 
the Director shall have access to all records, re-
ports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, rec-
ommendations, and other material necessary to 
determine whether a substantial likelihood ex-
ists that a violation of an order, regulation, or 
standard of the Agency or any other provision 
of Federal law relating to aviation safety may 
have occurred. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 60 days after the date on which the Ad-
ministrator receives a report with respect to an in-
vestigation, the Administrator shall respond to a rec-
171 
(c) ADMINISTERING PROGRAM WITHIN AVAILABLE 
FUNDING.—Section 41742(b) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTERING PROGRAM WITHIN AVAILABLE 
FUNDING.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Secretary is authorized to take such actions as may 
be necessary to administer the essential air service pro-
gram under this subchapter within the amount of funding 
made available for the program.’’. 
SEC. 405. SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE. 
(a) PRIORITIES.—Section 41743(c)(5) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (D); 
(2) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘fashion.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fashion; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) multiple communities cooperate to 
submit a regional or multistate application to 
consolidate air service into one regional air-
port.’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS.—Section 
41743(e) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS.—Subject 
to the availability of amounts made available under section