119 
(2) to prohibit an individual from participating 
in a review or audit of an office with responsibility 
for an air carrier under the program if the indi-
vidual, at any time in the 5-year period preceding 
the date of the review or audit, had responsibility for 
inspecting, or overseeing the inspection of, the oper-
ations of that carrier. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a report on the Flight Standards 
Evaluation Program, including the Administrator’s find-
ings and recommendations with respect to the program. 
(c) FLIGHT STANDARDS EVALUATION PROGRAM DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘Flight Standards Eval-
uation Program’’ means the program established by the 
Federal Aviation Administration in FS 1100.1B CHG3, 
including any subsequent revisions thereto. 
SEC. 310. COCKPIT SMOKE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a 
study on the effectiveness of oversight activities of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration relating to the use of new 
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technologies to prevent or mitigate the effects of dense, con-
tinuous smoke in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to Congress a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 311. SAFETY OF AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44730. Helicopter air ambulance operations 
‘‘(a) COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this section, part 135 certificate holders 
providing air ambulance services shall comply, when-
ever medical personnel are onboard the aircraft, with 
regulations pertaining to weather minimums and 
flight and duty time under part 135. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—If a certificate holder de-
scribed in paragraph (1) is operating, or carrying out 
training, under instrument flight rules, the weather 
reporting requirement at the destination shall not 
apply until such time as the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration determines that 
portable, reliable, and accurate ground-based weather 
measuring and reporting systems are available. 
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‘‘(b) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator shall conduct 
a rulemaking proceeding to improve the safety of flight 
crewmembers, medical personnel, and passengers onboard 
helicopters providing air ambulance services under part 
135. 
‘‘(c) MATTERS TO BE ADDRESSED.—In conducting 
the rulemaking proceeding under subsection (b), the Admin-
istrator shall address the following: 
‘‘(1) Flight request and dispatch procedures, in-
cluding performance-based flight dispatch procedures. 
‘‘(2) Pilot training standards, including— 
‘‘(A) mandatory training requirements, in-
cluding a minimum time for completing the 
training requirements; 
‘‘(B) training subject areas, such as commu-
nications procedures and appropriate technology 
use; and 
‘‘(C) establishment of training standards 
in— 
‘‘(i) crew resource management; 
‘‘(ii) flight risk evaluation; 
‘‘(iii) preventing controlled flight into 
terrain; 
‘‘(iv) recovery from inadvertent flight 
into instrument meteorological conditions; 
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‘‘(v) operational control of the pilot in 
command; and 
‘‘(vi) use of flight simulation training 
devices and line-oriented flight training. 
‘‘(3) Safety-enhancing technology and equip-
ment, including— 
‘‘(A) helicopter terrain awareness and 
warning systems; 
‘‘(B) radar altimeters; 
‘‘(C) devices that perform the function of 
flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders, 
to the extent feasible; and 
‘‘(D) safety equipment that should be worn 
or used by flight crewmembers and medical per-
sonnel on a flight, including the possible use of 
shoulder harnesses, helmets, seatbelts, and fire re-
sistant clothing to enhance crash survivability. 
‘‘(4) Such other matters as the Administrator 
considers appropriate. 
‘‘(d) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.—In issuing a final 
rule under subsection (b), the Administrator, at a min-
imum, shall provide for the following: 
‘‘(1) FLIGHT RISK EVALUATION PROGRAM.—The 
Administrator shall ensure that a part 135 certificate 
holder providing helicopter air ambulance services— 
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‘‘(A) establishes a flight risk evaluation pro-
gram, based on FAA Notice 8000.301 issued by 
the Administration on August 1, 2005, including 
any updates thereto; 
‘‘(B) as part of the flight risk evaluation 
program, develops a checklist for use by pilots in 
determining whether a flight request should be 
accepted; and 
‘‘(C) requires the pilots of the certificate 
holder to use the checklist. 
‘‘(2) OPERATIONAL CONTROL CENTER.—The Ad-
ministrator shall ensure that a part 135 certificate 
holder providing helicopter air ambulance services 
using 10 or more helicopters has an operational con-
trol center that meets such requirements as the Ad-
ministrator may prescribe. 
‘‘(e) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) not later than 180 days after the date of en-
actment of this section, issue a notice of proposed 
rulemaking under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(2) not later than 16 months after the last day 
of the comment period on the proposed rule, issue a 
final rule. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
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‘‘(1) PART 135.—The term ‘part 135’ means part 
135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(2) PART 135 CERTIFICATE HOLDER.—The term 
‘part 135 certificate holder’ means a person holding 
a certificate issued under part 135. 
‘‘§ 44731. Collection of data on helicopter air ambu-
lance operations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall require a part 135 certificate 
holder providing helicopter air ambulance services to sub-
mit to the Administrator, not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, 
a report containing, at a minimum, the following data: 
‘‘(1) The number of helicopters that the certifi-
cate holder uses to provide helicopter air ambulance 
services and the base locations of the helicopters. 
‘‘(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 ac-
cepted or declined by the certificate holder and the 
type of each such flight request (such as scene re-
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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 heli-
copters operated by the certificate holder while pro-
viding 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. 
‘‘(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 con-
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fidentiality of any trade secret or proprietary information 
provided in response to this section. 
‘‘(d) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 24 
months after the date of enactment of this section, and an-
nually 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 con-
taining a summary of the data collected under subsection 
(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-
ment and maintenance of helicopter approach procedures’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
447 is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘444730. Helicopter air ambulance operations. 
‘‘444731. Collection of data on helicopter air ambulance operations.’’. 
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SEC. 312. 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 stations), 
an investment analysis, and recommendations for improv-
ing weather reporting. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to Congress a report containing the results of the review. 
SEC. 313. 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 
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 
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benefits, financial considerations, and risks associated with 
requiring the use of night vision goggles. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one 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. 314. PROHIBITION ON PERSONAL USE OF ELECTRONIC 
DEVICES ON FLIGHT DECK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 (as amended by this 
Act) is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44732. Prohibition on personal use of electronic de-
vices 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 
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 employ-
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ment-related communications, in accordance with proce-
dures established by the air carrier and the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(c) ENFORCEMENT.—In addition to the penalties pro-
vided under section 46301 applicable to any violation of 
this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration may enforce compliance with this section 
under section 44709 by amending, modifying, suspending, 
or revoking a certificate under this chapter. 
‘‘(d) PERSONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘personal wireless com-
munications 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 para-
graph (8); 
(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.’’. 
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(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 Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall initiate a rulemaking 
procedure for regulations to carry out section 44733 of title 
49, United States Code, and shall issue a final rule there-
under not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(e) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall review relevant 
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. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one 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 contains— 
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(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. 315. NONCERTIFICATED MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall issue regulations requir-
ing that covered work on an aircraft used to provide air 
transportation under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
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— 
(1) a part 121 air carrier; 
(2) a part 145 repair station or a person author-
ized under section 43.17 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; or 
(3) subject to subsection (c), a person that— 
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(A) provides contract maintenance workers, 
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. 
(2) PART 121 AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘part 121 
air carrier’’ means an air carrier that holds a certifi-
cate issued under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
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(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. 316. INSPECTION OF FOREIGN REPAIR STATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 (as amended by this 
Act) is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44733. Inspection of foreign repair stations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one 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-
thorities operating under a maintenance safety or 
maintenance implementation agreement with the 
United States in meeting the requirements of the safe-
ty assessment system; and 
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‘‘(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 initiating 
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 one 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 im-
plementation of the safety assessment system required by 
subsection (a), which shall— 
‘‘(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; 
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‘‘(2) include a staffing model to determine the 
best placement of inspectors and the number of in-
spectors needed for the oversight and implementation; 
‘‘(3) describe the training provided to inspectors 
with respect to the oversight and implementation; 
‘‘(4) include an assessment of the quality of mon-
itoring and surveillance by the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration of work provided by its inspectors and 
the inspectors of foreign authorities operating under 
a maintenance safety or maintenance implementation 
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, jointly, 
the governments of foreign countries that are members 
of the International Civil Aviation Organization to 
establish international standards for alcohol and con-
trolled substances testing of persons that perform safe-
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ty-sensitive maintenance functions on commercial air 
carrier aircraft. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION
TO
PART
121
AIRCRAFT 
WORK.—Not later than one 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 acceptable 
by the Administrator and is consistent with the ap-
plicable laws of the country in which the repair sta-
tion 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 ob-
ligations under international agreements. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
‘‘(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. 
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‘‘(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. 317. 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 period 
beginning on the date of enactment of the FAA Reau-
thorization and Reform Act of 2011 unless the Sec-
retary certifies that the requirements of paragraph (2) 
are necessary to ensure safety.’’. 
Subtitle B—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems 
SEC. 321. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply: 
(1) CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER; CERTIFICATE OF 
AUTHORIZATION.—The term ‘‘certificate of waiver’’ or 
‘‘certificate of authorization’’ means a Federal Avia-
tion Administration grant of approval for a specific 
flight operation. 
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(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 aircraft. 
(3) PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘public unmanned aircraft system’’ means an 
unmanned aircraft system that meets the qualifica-
tions and conditions required for operation of a pub-
lic 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 develop-
ment are conducted. 
(6) UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘un-
manned aircraft’’ means an aircraft that is operated 
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 
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command to operate safely and efficiently in the na-
tional airspace system. 
SEC. 322. COMMERCIAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN-
TEGRATION PLAN. 
(a) INTEGRATION PLAN.— 
(1) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.—Not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Transportation, in consultation with rep-
resentatives of the aviation industry and the un-
manned aircraft systems industry, shall develop a 
comprehensive plan to safely integrate commercial 
unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace 
system. 
(2) MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS.—In developing 
the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at 
a minimum— 
(A) review technologies and research that 
will assist in facilitating the safe integration of 
commercial unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system; 
(B) provide recommendations or projections 
for the rulemaking to be conducted under sub-
section (b)— 
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(i) to define the acceptable standards 
for operations and certification of commer-
cial unmanned aircraft systems; 
(ii) to ensure that commercial un-
manned aircraft systems include a sense 
and avoid capability, if necessary for safety 
purposes; and 
(iii) 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 provide 
for the safe and routine operations of commercial 
unmanned aircraft systems in the national air-
space system; and 
(D) recommend how a phased-in approach 
for the integration of commercial unmanned air-
craft 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 integration of 
commercial unmanned aircraft systems into the na-
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tional airspace system not later than September 30, 
2015. 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall 
submit to Congress— 
(A) not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, a copy of the plan de-
veloped 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 Reg-
ister a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the rec-
ommendations of the integration plan. 
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 shall determine 
if certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely 
in the national airspace system. The Secretary may make 
such determination before completion of the plan and rule-
making required by section 322 of this Act or the guidance 
required by section 324 of this Act. 
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(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 systems 
identified under paragraph (1). 
(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.—If the 
Secretary determines under this section that certain un-
manned 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 na-
tional 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 shall issue guidance 
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regarding the operation of public unmanned aircraft sys-
tems 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. the necessary safety analysis and data be-
come available, and until standards are completed 
and technology issues are resolved; and 
(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. 
(b) STANDARDS
FOR
OPERATION
AND
CERTIFI-
CATION.—Not later than December 31, 2015, the Secretary 
shall develop and implement operational and certification 
standards for operation of public unmanned aircraft sys-
tems. 
SEC. 325. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TEST RANGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall establish a program to 
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integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national air-
space system at 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 operations 
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 Administration 
and the Department of Defense; 
(4) address both commercial and public un-
manned aircraft 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. 
(c) TEST RANGE LOCATIONS.—In determining the lo-
cation of the 4 test ranges of the program under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall— 
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(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 consider-
ation 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 add-
ing 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 Federal 
Regulations, may not knowingly employ, or make a 
contractual arrangement that permits, an individual 
to act as an agent or representative of the certificate 
holder in any matter before the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration if the individual, in the preceding 2- 
year period— 
‘‘(A) served as, or was responsible for over-
sight of, a flight standards inspector of the Ad-
ministration; and 
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‘‘(B) had responsibility to inspect, or over-
see inspection of, the operations of the certificate 
holder. 
‘‘(2) WRITTEN
AND
ORAL
COMMUNICATIONS.— 
For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual shall be 
considered to be acting as an agent or representative 
of a certificate holder in a matter before the Adminis-
tration if the individual makes any written or oral 
communication on behalf of the certificate holder to 
the Administration (or any of its officers or employ-
ees) 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 Administra-
tion.’’. 
(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. 
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 Ad-
ministration is reviewed by regional teams of employees of 
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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 employees 
conducting a monthly review of the air transportation 
oversight system database under subsection (a) shall 
submit to the Administrator, the Associate Adminis-
trator 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 para-
graph (1) shall identify— 
(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 proposed 
to be taken in response to the trends. 
(c) BIANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Admin-
istrator, on a biannual basis, shall submit to the Committee 
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148 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives 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 re-
ceived under subsection (b). 
SEC. 333. IMPROVED VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE REPORTING 
SYSTEM. 
(a) VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE REPORTING PROGRAM 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘Voluntary Disclosure 
Reporting Program’’ means the program established by the 
Federal Aviation Administration through Advisory Cir-
cular 00–58A, dated September 8, 2006, including any sub-
sequent revisions thereto. 
(b) VERIFICATION.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall modify the Voluntary Dis-
closure Reporting Program to require inspectors to— 
(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 inspector or 
self-disclosed by the air carrier. 
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(c) SUPERVISORY REVIEW OF VOLUNTARY SELF-DIS-
CLOSURES.—The Administrator shall establish a process by 
which voluntary self-disclosures received from air carriers 
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 Program. 
(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; 
(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 one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
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Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation 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 INVESTIGA-
TION OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section 
referred to as the ‘Agency’) an Aviation Safety Whis-
tleblower Investigation Office (in this subsection re-
ferred 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 ap-
pointed for a term of 5 years. 
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‘‘(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 appointed 
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 employees 
of the Agency concerning the possible exist-
ence of an activity relating to a violation of 
an order, regulation, or standard of the 
Agency or any other provision of Federal 
law relating to aviation safety; 
‘‘(ii) assess complaints and informa-
tion submitted under clause (i) and deter-
mine whether a substantial likelihood exists 
that a violation of an order, regulation, or 
standard of the Agency or any other provi-
sion of Federal law relating to aviation 
safety has occurred; and 
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‘‘(iii) based on findings of the assess-
ment conducted under clause (ii), make rec-
ommendations to the Administrator in 
writing for further investigation or correc-
tive actions. 
‘‘(B) DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITIES.—The Di-
rector shall not disclose the identity of an indi-
vidual who submits a complaint or information 
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 in-
dividual 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 
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(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 exists 
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 inves-
tigation, the Administrator shall respond to a rec-
ommendation made by the Director under subpara-
graph (A)(iii) in writing and retain records related 
to any further investigations or corrective actions 
taken in response to the recommendation. 
‘‘(5) INCIDENT REPORTS.—If the Director deter-
mines there is a substantial likelihood that a viola-
tion of an order, regulation, or standard of the Agen-
cy or any other provision of Federal law relating to 
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aviation safety has occurred that requires immediate 
corrective action, the Director shall report the poten-
tial violation expeditiously to the Administrator and 
the Inspector General of the Department of Transpor-
tation. 
‘‘(6) REPORTING OF CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS TO 
INSPECTOR GENERAL.—If the Director has reasonable 
grounds to believe that there has been a violation of 
Federal criminal law, the Director shall report the 
violation expeditiously to the Inspector General. 
‘‘(7) ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than October 1 of each year, the Director shall submit 
to Congress a report containing— 
‘‘(A) information on the number of submis-
sions of complaints and information received by 
the Director under paragraph (3)(A)(i) in the 
preceding 12-month period; 
‘‘(B) summaries of those submissions; 
‘‘(C) summaries of further investigations 
and corrective actions recommended in response 
to the submissions; and 
‘‘(D) summaries of the responses of the Ad-
ministrator to such recommendations.’’. 
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SEC. 335. DUTY PERIODS AND FLIGHT TIME LIMITATIONS 
APPLICABLE TO FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS. 
(a) RULEMAKING ON APPLICABILITY OF PART 121 
DUTY PERIODS AND FLIGHT TIME LIMITATIONS TO PART 
91 OPERATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall initiate a rulemaking pro-
ceeding, if such a proceeding has not already been initiated, 
to require a flight crewmember who is employed by an air 
carrier conducting operations under part 121 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and who accepts an additional 
assignment for flying under part 91 of such title from the 
air carrier or from any other air carrier conducting oper-
ations under part 121 or 135 of such title, to apply the 
period of the additional assignment (regardless of whether 
the assignment is performed by the flight crewmember before 
or after an assignment to fly under part 121 of such title) 
toward any limitation applicable to the flight crewmember 
relating to duty periods or flight times under part 121 of 
such title. 
(b) RULEMAKING ON APPLICABILITY OF PART 135 
DUTY PERIODS AND FLIGHT TIME LIMITATIONS TO PART 
91 OPERATIONS.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate 
a rulemaking proceeding to require a flight crewmember 
who is employed by an air carrier conducting operations 
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under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
and who accepts an additional assignment for flying under 
part 91 of such title from the air carrier or any other air 
carrier conducting operations under part 121 or 135 of such 
title, to apply the period of the additional assignment (re-
gardless of whether the assignment is performed by the flight 
crewmember before or after an assignment to fly under part 
135 of such title) toward any limitation applicable to the 
flight crewmember relating to duty periods or flight times 
under part 135 of such title. 
(c) SEPARATE
RULEMAKING
PROCEEDINGS
RE-
QUIRED.—The rulemaking proceeding required under sub-
section (b) shall be separate from the rulemaking proceeding 
required under subsection (a). 
TITLE IV—AIR SERVICE 
IMPROVEMENTS 
Subtitle A—Essential Air Service 
SEC. 401. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE MARKETING. 
Section 41733(c)(1) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as sub-
paragraph (F); 
(2) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (D); and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(E) whether the air carrier has included a plan 
in its proposal to market its services to the commu-
nity; and’’. 
SEC. 402. NOTICE TO COMMUNITIES PRIOR TO TERMI-
NATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDIZED ES-
SENTIAL AIR SERVICE. 
Section 41733 is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(f) NOTICE
TO COMMUNITIES PRIOR
TO TERMI-
NATION OF ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall notify 
each community receiving basic essential air service 
for which compensation is being paid under this sub-
chapter on or before the 45th day before issuing any 
final decision to end the payment of such compensa-
tion due to a determination by the Secretary that 
providing such service requires a rate of subsidy per 
passenger in excess of the subsidy cap. 
‘‘(2) PROCEDURES
TO
AVOID
TERMINATION.— 
The Secretary shall establish, by order, procedures by 
which each community notified of an impending loss 
of subsidy under paragraph (1) may work directly 
with an air carrier to ensure that the air carrier is 
able to submit a proposal to the Secretary to provide 
essential air service to such community for an 
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amount of compensation that would not exceed the 
subsidy cap. 
‘‘(3) ASSISTANCE
PROVIDED.—The Secretary 
shall provide, by order, to each community notified 
under paragraph (1) information regarding— 
‘‘(A) the procedures established pursuant to 
paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) the maximum amount of compensation 
that could be provided under this subchapter to 
an air carrier serving such community that 
would comply with the subsidy cap. 
‘‘(4) SUBSIDY CAP DEFINED.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘subsidy cap’ means the subsidy cap estab-
lished by section 332 of Public Law 106–69 (113 
Stat. 1022).’’. 
SEC. 403. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE CONTRACT GUIDELINES. 
(a) 
COMPENSATION
GUIDELINES.—Section 
41737(a)(1) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (B); 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) include provisions under which the Sec-
retary may encourage an air carrier to improve air 
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service for which compensation is being paid under 
this subchapter by incorporating financial incentives 
in an essential air service contract based on specified 
performance goals, including goals related to improv-
ing on-time performance, reducing the number of 
flight cancellations, establishing convenient connec-
tions to flights providing service beyond hub airports, 
and increasing marketing efforts; and 
‘‘(E) include provisions under which the Sec-
retary may execute a long-term essential air service 
contract to encourage an air carrier to provide air 
service to an eligible place if it would be in the public 
interest to do so.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE
FOR ISSUANCE
OF REVISED GUID-
ANCE.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue 
revised guidelines governing the rate of compensation pay-
able under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United 
States Code, that incorporate the amendments made by this 
section. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
issuance of revised guidelines pursuant to subsection (b), 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
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tation of the Senate a report on the extent to which the 
revised guidelines have been implemented and the impact, 
if any, such implementation has had on air carrier per-
formance and community satisfaction with air service for 
which compensation is being paid under subchapter II of 
chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 404. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE REFORM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Section 41742(a)(1) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the sum of $50,000,000 is’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the following sums are’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘subchapter for each fiscal year.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subchapter: 
‘‘(A) $50,000,000 for each fiscal year 
through fiscal year 2013. 
‘‘(B) The amount necessary, as determined 
by the Secretary, to carry out the essential air 
service program in Alaska and Hawaii for fiscal 
year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL
FUNDS.—Section 41742(a)(2) is 
amended by striking ‘‘there is authorized to be appropriated 
$77,000,000 for each fiscal year’’ and inserting ‘‘there is 
authorized to be appropriated out of the Airport and Air-
way Trust Fund established under section 9502 of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 $97,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, 
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$60,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $30,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2013’’. 
(c) ADMINISTERING PROGRAM WITHIN AVAILABLE 
FUNDING.—Section 41742(b) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(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 program 
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 sub-
mit a regional or multistate application to con-
solidate air service into one regional airport.’’. 
(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 
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‘‘(IV) the gate-arrival time at the 
scheduled arrival airport. 
‘‘(B) For flights cancelled after gate depar-
ture— 
‘‘(i) the flight number of the cancelled 
flight; 
‘‘(ii) the scheduled origin and destina-
tion airports of the cancelled flight; 
‘‘(iii) the date and time of the can-
celled flight; 
‘‘(iv) the gate-departure time of the 
cancelled flight; and 
‘‘(v) the time the aircraft returned to 
the gate. 
‘‘(4) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall compile 
the information provided in the monthly reports filed 
pursuant to paragraph (1) in a single monthly report 
and publish such report on the Internet Web site of 
the Department of Transportation.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Beginning not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall require monthly reports pursuant 
to the amendment made by subsection (a). 
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