H. R. 133—1167 
address the integration of human factors in the design and certifi-
cation of aircraft that are intended for use in air transportation. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing such research requirements, 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) establish goals for research in areas of study relevant 
to advancing technology, improving design engineering and cer-
tification practices, and facilitating better understanding of 
human factors concepts in the context of the growing develop-
ment and reliance on automated or complex flight deck systems 
in aircraft operations, including the development of tools to 
validate pilot recognition and response assumptions and diag-
nostic tools to improve the clarity of failure indications pre-
sented to pilots; 
(2) take into consideration and leverage any existing or 
planned research that is conducted by, or conducted in partner-
ship with, the FAA; and 
(3) focus on— 
(A) preventing a recurrence of the types of accidents 
that have involved transport category airplanes designed 
and manufactured in the United States; and 
(B) increasingly complex aircraft systems and designs. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—In implementing the research require-
ments developed under this section, the Administrator shall work 
with appropriate organizations and authorities with expertise 
including, to the maximum extent practicable, the Center of Excel-
lence for Technical Training and Human Performance and the 
Center of Excellence developed or expanded pursuant to section 
127. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Administrator $7,500,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2021 through 2023, out of funds made available under 
section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, to carry out this 
section. 
SEC. 127. FAA CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR AUTOMATED SYSTEMS 
AND HUMAN FACTORS IN AIRCRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop or expand 
a Center of Excellence focused on automated systems and human 
factors in transport category aircraft. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Center of Excellence shall, as appropriate— 
(1) facilitate collaboration among academia, the FAA, and 
the aircraft and airline industries, including aircraft, engine, 
and equipment manufacturers, air carriers, and representatives 
of the pilot community; 
(2) establish goals for research in areas of study relevant 
to advancing technology, improving engineering practices, and 
facilitating better understanding of human factors concepts in 
the context of the growing development and reliance on auto-
mated or complex systems in commercial aircraft, including 
continuing education and training; 
(3) examine issues related to human system integration 
and flight crew and aircraft interfaces, including tools and 
methods to support the integration of human factors consider-
ations into the aircraft design and certification process; and 
(4) review safety reports to identify potential human factors 
issues for research.
H. R. 133—1168 
(c) AVOIDING
DUPLICATION
OF
WORK.—In developing or 
expanding the Center of Excellence, the Administrator shall ensure 
the work of the Center of Excellence does not duplicate or overlap 
with the work of any other established center of excellence. 
(d) MEMBER PRIORITIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, when developing or 
expanding the Center of Excellence, shall prioritize the inclu-
sion of subject-matter experts whose professional experience 
enables them to be objective and impartial in their contributions 
to the greatest extent possible. 
(2) REPRESENTATION.—The Administrator shall require 
that the membership of the Center of Excellence reflect a 
balanced viewpoint across broad disciplines in the aviation 
industry. 
(3) DISCLOSURE.—Any member of the Center of Excellence 
who is a Boeing Company or FAA employee who participated 
in the certification of the Maneuvering Characteristics Aug-
mentation System for the 737 MAX-8 airplane must disclose 
such involvement to the FAA prior to performing any work 
on behalf of the FAA. 
(4) TRANSPARENCY.—In developing or expanding the Center 
of Excellence, the Administrator shall develop procedures to 
facilitate transparency and appropriate maintenance of records 
to the maximum extent practicable. 
(5) COORDINATION.—Nothing in this section shall preclude 
coordination and collaboration between the Center of Excellence 
developed or expanded under this section and any other estab-
lished center of excellence. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Administrator $2,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2021 through 2023, out of funds made available under 
section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, to carry out this 
section. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence for 
any fiscal year shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 128. PILOT OPERATIONAL EVALUATIONS. 
(a) PILOT OPERATIONAL EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall 
revise existing policies for manufacturers of transport airplanes 
to ensure that pilot operational evaluations for airplane types that 
are submitted for certification utilize pilots from air carriers that 
are expected to operate such airplanes. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—Such manufacturer shall ensure, to the 
satisfaction of the Administrator, that the air carrier and foreign 
air carrier pilots used for such evaluations include pilots of varying 
levels of experience. 
SEC. 129. ENSURING APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITY OF AIRCRAFT 
CERTIFICATION AND FLIGHT STANDARDS PERFORM-
ANCE OBJECTIVES AND METRICS. 
(a) REPEALS.—Sections 211 and 221 of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) are repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING REPEALS.—Paragraphs (8) and (9) of section 
202(c) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note) are repealed. 
SEC. 130. TRANSPORT AIRPLANE RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY. 
(a) DEADLINES.—
H. R. 133—1169 
(1) AGREEMENT.—Not later than 15 days after the date 
of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall enter into 
an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences to 
develop a report regarding the methodology and effectiveness 
of the Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology 
(TARAM) process used by the FAA. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this title, the National Academies of Sciences 
shall deliver such report to the congressional committees of 
jurisdiction. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following elements: 
(1) An assessment of the TARAM analysis process. 
(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of the TARAM for 
the purposes of improving aviation safety. 
(3) Recommendations to improve the methodology and 
effectiveness of the TARAM as an element of aviation safety. 
(c) REQUIRED NOTICE.—The Administrator shall provide notice 
to the congressional committees of jurisdiction on the findings and 
recommendations of a TARAM conducted following a transport air-
plane accident— 
(1) in which a loss of life occurred; and 
(2) for which the Administrator determines that the 
issuance of an airworthiness directive will likely be necessary 
to correct an unsafe condition associated with the design of 
the relevant aircraft type. 
SEC. 131. NATIONAL AIR GRANT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM.— 
(1) PROGRAM
MAINTENANCE.—The Administrator shall 
maintain within the FAA a program to be known as the 
‘‘National Air Grant Fellowship Program’’. 
(2) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The National Air Grant Fellow-
ship Program shall provide support for the fellowship program 
under subsection (b). 
(3) RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADMINISTRATOR.— 
(A) GUIDELINES.—The Administrator shall establish 
guidelines related to the activities and responsibilities of 
air grant fellowships under subsection (b). 
(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Administrator shall by regu-
lation prescribe the qualifications required for designation 
of air grant fellowships under subsection (b). 
(C) AUTHORITY.—In order to carry out the provisions 
of this section, the Administrator may— 
(i) appoint, assign the duties, transfer, and fix 
the compensation of such personnel as may be nec-
essary, in accordance with civil service laws; 
(ii) make appointments with respect to temporary 
and intermittent services to the extent authorized by 
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; 
(iii) enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, 
and other transactions without regard to section 6101 
of title 41, United States Code; 
(iv) notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 
United States Code, accept donations and voluntary 
and uncompensated services;
H. R. 133—1170 
(v) accept funds from other Federal departments 
and agencies, including agencies within the FAA, to 
pay for and add to activities authorized by this section; 
and 
(vi) promulgate such rules and regulations as may 
be necessary and appropriate. 
(4) DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL AIR GRANT FELLOWSHIP PRO-
GRAM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall appoint, as 
the Director of the National Air Grant Fellowship Program, 
a qualified individual who has appropriate administrative 
experience and knowledge or expertise in fields related 
to aerospace. The Director shall be appointed and com-
pensated, without regard to the provisions of title 5 gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service, at a rate 
payable under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code. 
(B) DUTIES.—Subject to the supervision of the Adminis-
trator, the Director shall administer the National Air Grant 
Fellowship Program. In addition to any other duty pre-
scribed by law or assigned by the Administrator, the 
Director shall— 
(i) cooperate with institutions of higher education 
that offer degrees in fields related to aerospace; 
(ii) encourage the participation of graduate and 
post-graduate students in the National Air Grant 
Fellowship Program; and 
(iii) cooperate and coordinate with other Federal 
activities in fields related to aerospace. 
(b) FELLOWSHIPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall support a pro-
gram of fellowships for qualified individuals at the graduate 
and post-graduate level. The fellowships shall be in fields 
related to aerospace and awarded pursuant to guidelines estab-
lished by the Administrator. The Administrator shall strive 
to ensure equal access for minority and economically disadvan-
taged students to the program carried out under this paragraph. 
(2) AEROSPACE POLICY FELLOWSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall award aero-
space policy fellowships to support the placement of individ-
uals at the graduate level of education in fields related 
to aerospace in positions with— 
(i) the executive branch of the United States 
Government; and 
(ii) the legislative branch of the United States 
Government. 
(B) PLACEMENT PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATIVE FELLOW-
SHIPS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—In considering the placement of 
individuals receiving a fellowship for a legislative 
branch position under subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
Administrator shall give priority to placement of such 
individuals in the following: 
(I) Positions in offices of, or with Members 
on, committees of Congress that have jurisdiction 
over the FAA.