H. R. 5900 
One Hundred Eleventh Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 
the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten 
An Act 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure 
authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United 
States Code, to extend airport improvement program project grant authority 
and to improve airline safety, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Airline Safety and Federal 
Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION 
Sec. 101. Extension of taxes funding Airport and Airway Trust Fund. 
Sec. 102. Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure authority. 
Sec. 103. Extension of airport improvement program. 
Sec. 104. Extension of expiring authorities. 
Sec. 105. Federal Aviation Administration operations. 
Sec. 106. Air navigation facilities and equipment. 
Sec. 107. Research, engineering, and development. 
TITLE II—AIRLINE SAFETY AND PILOT TRAINING IMPROVEMENT 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Secretary of Transportation responses to safety recommendations. 
Sec. 203. FAA pilot records database. 
Sec. 204. FAA Task Force on Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training. 
Sec. 205. Aviation safety inspectors and operational research analysts. 
Sec. 206. Flight crewmember mentoring, professional development, and leadership. 
Sec. 207. Flight crewmember pairing and crew resource management techniques. 
Sec. 208. Implementation of NTSB flight crewmember training recommendations. 
Sec. 209. FAA rulemaking on training programs. 
Sec. 210. Disclosure of air carriers operating flights for tickets sold for air transpor-
tation. 
Sec. 211. Safety inspections of regional air carriers. 
Sec. 212. Pilot fatigue. 
Sec. 213. Voluntary safety programs. 
Sec. 214. ASAP and FOQA implementation plan. 
Sec. 215. Safety management systems. 
Sec. 216. Flight crewmember screening and qualifications. 
Sec. 217. Airline transport pilot certification.
H. R. 5900—2 
TITLE I—AIRPORT AND AIRWAY 
EXTENSION 
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY 
TRUST FUND. 
(a) FUEL TAXES.—Subparagraph (B) of section 4081(d)(2) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘August 
1, 2010’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2010’’. 
(b) TICKET TAXES.— 
(1) PERSONS.—Clause (ii) of section 4261(j)(1)(A) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘August 
1, 2010’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2010’’. 
(2) PROPERTY.—Clause (ii) of section 4271(d)(1)(A) of such 
Code is amended by striking ‘‘August 1, 2010’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2010’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on August 2, 2010. 
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND EXPENDI-
TURE AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘August 2, 2010’’ and inserting ‘‘October 
1, 2010’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation 
Administration Extension Act of 2010’’ before the semicolon 
at the end of subparagraph (A). 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (2) of section 9502(e) 
of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘August 2, 2010’’ and inserting 
‘‘October 1, 2010’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on August 2, 2010. 
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘August 1, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2010,’’. 
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES. 
(a) Section 40117(l)(7) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘August 2, 2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 
2010.’’. 
(b) Section 44302(f)(1) of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘August 1, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘September 
30, 2010,’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘October 31, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2010,’’. 
(c) Section 44303(b) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘October 31, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2010,’’. 
(d) Section 47107(s)(3) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘August 2, 2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2010.’’. 
(e) Section 47115(j) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘fiscal 
years 2004 through 2009, and for the portion of fiscal year 2010 
ending before August 2, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2004 
through 2010,’’. 
(f) Section 47141(f) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘August 
1, 2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2010.’’.
H. R. 5900—3 
(g) Section 49108 of such title is amended by striking ‘‘August 
1, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2010,’’. 
(h) Section 161 of the Vision 100—Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 47109 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘fiscal year 2009, or in the portion of fiscal year 2010 ending 
before August 2, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2009 or 2010’’. 
(i) Section 186(d) of such Act (117 Stat. 2518) is amended 
by striking ‘‘October 1, 2009, and for the portion of fiscal year 
2010 ending before August 2, 2010,’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 
2010,’’. 
(j) The amendments made by this section shall take effect 
on August 2, 2010. 
SEC. 105. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS. 
Section 106(k)(1)(F) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(F) $9,350,028,000 for fiscal year 2010.’’. 
SEC. 106. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. 
Section 48101(a)(6) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(6) $2,936,203,000 for fiscal year 2010.’’. 
SEC. 107. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 48102(a)(14) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(14) $190,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.’’. 
TITLE II—AIRLINE SAFETY AND PILOT 
TRAINING IMPROVEMENT 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) 
ADVANCED
QUALIFICATION
PROGRAM.—The 
term 
‘‘advanced qualification program’’ means the program estab-
lished by the Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory Cir-
cular 120–54A, dated June 23, 2006, including any subsequent 
revisions thereto. 
(2) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(3) AVIATION SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘aviation 
safety action program’’ means the program established by the 
Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120–66B, 
dated November 15, 2002, including any subsequent revisions 
thereto. 
(4) FLIGHT CREWMEMBER.—The term ‘‘flight crewmember’’ 
has the meaning given the term ‘‘flightcrew member’’ in part 
1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(5) FLIGHT OPERATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM.— 
The term ‘‘flight operational quality assurance program’’ means 
the program established by the Federal Aviation Administration 
in Advisory Circular 120–82, dated April 12, 2004, including 
any subsequent revisions thereto. 
(6) LINE OPERATIONS SAFETY AUDIT.—The term ‘‘line oper-
ations safety audit’’ means the procedure referenced by the
H. R. 5900—4 
Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120–90, 
dated April 27, 2006, including any subsequent revisions 
thereto. 
(7) 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. 
(8) PART 135 AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘part 135 air carrier’’ 
means an air carrier that holds a certificate issued under 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 202. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RESPONSES TO SAFETY 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The first sentence of section 1135(a) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘to the Board’’ after ‘‘shall give’’. 
(b) AIR CARRIER SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS.—Section 1135 is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT ON AIR CARRIER SAFETY RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall submit to Congress 
and the Board, on an annual basis, a report on the recommenda-
tions made by the Board to the Secretary regarding air carrier 
operations conducted under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE COVERED.—The report shall 
cover— 
‘‘(A) any recommendation for which the Secretary has 
developed, or intends to develop, procedures to adopt the 
recommendation or part of the recommendation, but has 
yet to complete the procedures; and 
‘‘(B) any recommendation for which the Secretary, in 
the preceding year, has issued a response under subsection 
(a)(2) or (a)(3) refusing to carry out all or part of the 
procedures to adopt the recommendation. 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.— 
‘‘(A) PLANS TO ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS.—For each 
recommendation of the Board described in paragraph 
(2)(A), the report shall contain— 
‘‘(i) a description of the recommendation; 
‘‘(ii) a description of the procedures planned for 
adopting the recommendation or part of the rec-
ommendation; 
‘‘(iii) the proposed date for completing the proce-
dures; and 
‘‘(iv) if the Secretary has not met a deadline con-
tained in a proposed timeline developed in connection 
with the recommendation under subsection (b), an 
explanation for not meeting the deadline. 
‘‘(B) REFUSALS TO ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS.—For each 
recommendation of the Board described in paragraph 
(2)(B), the report shall contain— 
‘‘(i) a description of the recommendation; and 
‘‘(ii) a description of the reasons for the refusal 
to carry out all or part of the procedures to adopt 
the recommendation.’’.
H. R. 5900—5 
SEC. 203. FAA PILOT RECORDS DATABASE. 
(a) RECORDS OF EMPLOYMENT OF PILOT APPLICANTS.—Section 
44703(h) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(16) APPLICABILITY.—This subsection shall cease to be 
effective on the date specified in regulations issued under sub-
section (i).’’. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF FAA PILOT RECORDS DATABASE.—Sec-
tion 44703 of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections 
(j) and (k), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following: 
‘‘(i) FAA PILOT RECORDS DATABASE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before allowing an individual to begin 
service as a pilot, an air carrier shall access and evaluate, 
in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, informa-
tion pertaining to the individual from the pilot records database 
established under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) PILOT RECORDS DATABASE.—The Administrator shall 
establish an electronic database (in this subsection referred 
to as the ‘database’) containing the following records: 
‘‘(A) FAA RECORDS.—From the Administrator— 
‘‘(i) records that are maintained by the Adminis-
trator concerning current airman certificates, including 
airman medical certificates and associated type ratings 
and information on any limitations to those certificates 
and ratings; 
‘‘(ii) records that are maintained by the Adminis-
trator concerning any failed attempt of an individual 
to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate 
or type rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; and 
‘‘(iii) summaries of legal enforcement actions 
resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a viola-
tion of this title or a regulation prescribed or order 
issued under this title that was not subsequently over-
turned. 
‘‘(B) AIR CARRIER AND OTHER RECORDS.—From any air 
carrier or other person (except a branch of the Armed 
Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of 
the Armed Forces) that has employed an individual as 
a pilot of a civil or public aircraft, or from the trustee 
in bankruptcy for the air carrier or person— 
‘‘(i) records pertaining to the individual that are 
maintained by the air carrier (other than records 
relating to flight time, duty time, or rest time) or 
person, including records under regulations set forth 
in— 
‘‘(I) section 121.683 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; 
‘‘(II) section 121.111(a) of such title; 
‘‘(III) section 121.219(a) of such title; 
‘‘(IV) section 125.401 of such title; and 
‘‘(V) section 135.63(a)(4) of such title; and 
‘‘(ii) other records pertaining to the individual’s 
performance as a pilot that are maintained by the 
air carrier or person concerning—
H. R. 5900—6 
‘‘(I) the training, qualifications, proficiency, or 
professional 
competence 
of 
the 
individual, 
including comments and evaluations made by a 
check airman designated in accordance with sec-
tion 121.411, 125.295, or 135.337 of such title; 
‘‘(II) any disciplinary action taken with respect 
to the individual that was not subsequently over-
turned; and 
‘‘(III) any release from employment or resigna-
tion, termination, or disqualification with respect 
to employment. 
‘‘(C) NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER RECORDS.—In accord-
ance with section 30305(b)(8) of this title, from the chief 
driver licensing official of a State, information concerning 
the motor vehicle driving record of the individual. 
‘‘(3) WRITTEN CONSENT; RELEASE FROM LIABILITY.—An air 
carrier— 
‘‘(A) shall obtain the written consent of an individual 
before accessing records pertaining to the individual under 
paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) may, notwithstanding any other provision of law 
or agreement to the contrary, require an individual with 
respect to whom the carrier is accessing records under 
paragraph (1) to execute a release from liability for any 
claim arising from accessing the records or the use of 
such records by the air carrier in accordance with this 
section (other than a claim arising from furnishing informa-
tion known to be false and maintained in violation of 
a criminal statute). 
‘‘(4) REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) REPORTING
BY
ADMINISTRATOR.—The Adminis-
trator shall enter data described in paragraph (2)(A) into 
the database promptly to ensure that an individual’s 
records are current. 
‘‘(B) REPORTING
BY
AIR
CARRIERS
AND
OTHER
PER-
SONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Air carriers and other persons 
shall report data described in paragraphs (2)(B) and 
(2)(C) to the Administrator promptly for entry into 
the database. 
‘‘(ii) DATA TO BE REPORTED.—Air carriers and other 
persons shall report, at a minimum, under clause (i) 
the following data described in paragraph (2)(B): 
‘‘(I) Records that are generated by the air car-
rier or other person after the date of enactment 
of this paragraph. 
‘‘(II) Records that the air carrier or other per-
son is maintaining, on such date of enactment, 
pursuant to subsection (h)(4). 
‘‘(5) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN RECORDS.—The Adminis-
trator— 
‘‘(A) shall maintain all records entered into the data-
base under paragraph (2) pertaining to an individual until 
the date of receipt of notification that the individual is 
deceased; and 
‘‘(B) may remove the individual’s records from the data-
base after that date.
H. R. 5900—7 
‘‘(6) RECEIPT OF CONSENT.—The Administrator shall not 
permit an air carrier to access records pertaining to an indi-
vidual from the database under paragraph (1) without the 
air carrier first demonstrating to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator that the air carrier has obtained the written 
consent of the individual. 
‘‘(7) RIGHT
OF
PILOT
TO
REVIEW
CERTAIN
RECORDS
AND 
CORRECT INACCURACIES.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law or agreement, the Administrator, upon receipt of written 
request from an individual— 
‘‘(A) shall make available, not later than 30 days after 
the date of the request, to the individual for review all 
records referred to in paragraph (2) pertaining to the indi-
vidual; and 
‘‘(B) shall provide the individual with a reasonable 
opportunity to submit written comments to correct any 
inaccuracies contained in the records. 
‘‘(8) REASONABLE CHARGES FOR PROCESSING REQUESTS AND 
FURNISHING COPIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may establish 
a reasonable charge for the cost of processing a request 
under paragraph (1) or (7) and for the cost of furnishing 
copies of requested records under paragraph (7). 
‘‘(B) CREDITING APPROPRIATIONS.—Funds received by 
the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph shall— 
‘‘(i) be credited to the appropriation current when 
the amount is received; 
‘‘(ii) be merged with and available for the purposes 
of such appropriation; and 
‘‘(iii) remain available until expended. 
‘‘(9) PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) USE OF RECORDS.—An air carrier that accesses 
records pertaining to an individual under paragraph (1) 
may use the records only to assess the qualifications of 
the individual in deciding whether or not to hire the indi-
vidual as a pilot. The air carrier shall take such actions 
as may be necessary to protect the privacy of the individual 
and the confidentiality of the records accessed, including 
ensuring that information contained in the records is not 
divulged to any individual that is not directly involved 
in the hiring decision. 
‘‘(B) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided by clause 
(ii), information collected by the Administrator under 
paragraph (2) shall be exempt from the disclosure 
requirements of section 552 of title 5. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTIONS.—Clause (i) shall not apply to— 
‘‘(I) deidentified, summarized information to 
explain the need for changes in policies and regula-
tions; 
‘‘(II) information to correct a condition that 
compromises safety; 
‘‘(III) information to carry out a criminal inves-
tigation or prosecution; 
‘‘(IV) information to comply with section 
44905, regarding information about threats to civil 
aviation; and
H. R. 5900—8 
‘‘(V) such information as the Administrator 
determines necessary, if withholding the informa-
tion would not be consistent with the safety 
responsibilities of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration. 
‘‘(10) PERIODIC REVIEW.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this paragraph, and at least once 
every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to 
Congress a statement that contains, taking into account recent 
developments in the aviation industry— 
‘‘(A) recommendations by the Administrator concerning 
proposed changes to Federal Aviation Administration 
records, air carrier records, and other records required 
to be included in the database under paragraph (2); or 
‘‘(B) reasons why the Administrator does not rec-
ommend any proposed changes to the records referred to 
in subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(11) REGULATIONS
FOR
PROTECTION
AND
SECURITY
OF 
RECORDS.—The Administrator shall prescribe such regulations 
as may be necessary— 
‘‘(A) to protect and secure— 
‘‘(i) the personal privacy of any individual whose 
records are accessed under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) the confidentiality of those records; and 
‘‘(B) to preclude the further dissemination of records 
received under paragraph (1) by the person who accessed 
the records. 
‘‘(12) GOOD FAITH EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1), an air carrier may allow an individual to begin service 
as a pilot, without first obtaining information described in 
paragraph (2)(B) from the database pertaining to the individual, 
if— 
‘‘(A) the air carrier has made a documented good faith 
attempt to access the information from the database; and 
‘‘(B) the air carrier has received written notice from 
the Administrator that the information is not contained 
in the database because the individual was employed by 
an air carrier or other person that no longer exists or 
by a foreign government or other entity that has not pro-
vided the information to the database. 
‘‘(13) LIMITATIONS ON ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO RECORDS.— 
‘‘(A) ACCESS BY INDIVIDUALS DESIGNATED BY AIR CAR-
RIERS.—For the purpose of increasing timely and efficient 
access to records described in paragraph (2), the Adminis-
trator may allow, under terms established by the Adminis-
trator, an individual designated by an air carrier to have 
electronic access to the database. 
‘‘(B) TERMS.—The terms established by the Adminis-
trator under subparagraph (A) for allowing a designated 
individual to have electronic access to the database shall 
limit such access to instances in which information in 
the database is required by the designated individual in 
making a hiring decision concerning a pilot applicant and 
shall require that the designated individual provide assur-
ances satisfactory to the Administrator that—
H. R. 5900—9 
‘‘(i) the designated individual has received the writ-
ten consent of the pilot applicant to access the informa-
tion; and 
‘‘(ii) information obtained using such access will 
not be used for any purpose other than making the 
hiring decision. 
‘‘(14) AUTHORIZED
EXPENDITURES.—Of amounts appro-
priated under section 106(k)(1), a total of $6,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2010 through 2013 may be used to carry out this sub-
section. 
‘‘(15) REGULATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall issue regu-
lations to carry out this subsection. 
‘‘(B) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The regulations shall specify 
the date on which the requirements of this subsection 
take effect and the date on which the requirements of 
subsection (h) cease to be effective. 
‘‘(C) 
EXCEPTIONS.—Notwithstanding 
subparagraph 
(B)— 
‘‘(i) the Administrator shall begin to establish the 
database under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this paragraph; 
‘‘(ii) the Administrator shall maintain records in 
accordance with paragraph (5) beginning on the date 
of enactment of this paragraph; and 
‘‘(iii) air carriers and other persons shall maintain 
records to be reported to the database under paragraph 
(4)(B) in the period beginning on such date of enact-
ment and ending on the date that is 5 years after 
the requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective 
pursuant to subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(16) SPECIAL RULE.—During the one-year period beginning 
on the date on which the requirements of this section become 
effective pursuant to paragraph (15)(B), paragraph (7)(A) shall 
be applied by substituting ‘45 days’ for ‘30 days’.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; PREEMPTION OF STATE LAW.— 
Section 44703(j) (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this 
section) is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading by striking ‘‘LIMITATION’’ 
and inserting ‘‘LIMITATIONS’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(h)(2) or (i)(3)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘or accessing 
the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)’’ 
before the semicolon; and 
(iii) in the matter following subparagraph (D) by 
striking ‘‘subsection (h)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (h) 
or (i)’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘subsection (h)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (h) or (i)’’; 
(D) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘or who furnished information to 
the database established under subsection (i)(2)’’ after ‘‘sub-
section (h)(1)’’; and
H. R. 5900—10 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PROHIBITION ON ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AGAINST 
AIR CARRIERS.— 
‘‘(A) HIRING DECISIONS.—An air carrier may refuse to 
hire an individual as a pilot if the individual did not 
provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records 
under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute 
the release from liability requested under subsection 
(h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B). 
‘‘(B) ACTIONS
AND
PROCEEDINGS.—No action or pro-
ceeding may be brought against an air carrier by or on 
behalf of an individual who has applied for or is seeking 
a position as a pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier 
refused to hire the individual after the individual did not 
provide written consent for the air carrier to receive records 
under subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute 
a release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) 
or (i)(3)(B).’’. 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
STATUTORY
CONSTRUCTION.—Section 
44703(k) (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this section) 
is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (h)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (h) or (i)’’. 
SEC. 204. FAA TASK FORCE ON AIR CARRIER SAFETY AND PILOT 
TRAINING. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall establish a special task force to be known 
as the FAA Task Force on Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Task Force shall consist of members 
appointed by the Administrator and shall include air carrier rep-
resentatives, labor union representatives, and aviation safety 
experts with knowledge of foreign and domestic regulatory require-
ments for flight crewmember education and training. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Task Force shall include, at 
a minimum, evaluating best practices in the air carrier industry 
and providing recommendations in the following areas: 
(1) Air carrier management responsibilities for flight crew-
member education and support. 
(2) Flight crewmember professional standards. 
(3) Flight crewmember training standards and perform-
ance. 
(4) Mentoring and information sharing between air carriers. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, and before the last day of each one-year period 
thereafter until termination of the Task Force, the Task Force 
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 detailing— 
(1) the progress of the Task Force in identifying best prac-
tices in the air carrier industry; 
(2) the progress of air carriers and labor unions in imple-
menting the best practices identified by the Task Force; 
(3) recommendations of the Task Force, if any, for legisla-
tive or regulatory actions;
H. R. 5900—11 
(4) the progress of air carriers and labor unions in imple-
menting training-related, nonregulatory actions recommended 
by the Administrator; and 
(5) the progress of air carriers in developing specific pro-
grams to share safety data and ensure implementation of the 
most effective safety practices. 
(e) TERMINATION.—The Task Force shall terminate on Sep-
tember 30, 2012. 
(f) APPLICABILITY
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Task Force. 
SEC. 
205. 
AVIATION 
SAFETY 
INSPECTORS 
AND 
OPERATIONAL 
RESEARCH ANALYSTS. 
(a) REVIEW BY DOT INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Not later than 9 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department of Transportation shall conduct a review 
of the aviation safety inspectors and operational research analysts 
of the Federal Aviation Administration assigned to part 121 air 
carriers and submit to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration a report on the results of the review. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of the review shall be, at a min-
imum— 
(1) to review the level of the Administration’s oversight 
of each part 121 air carrier; 
(2) to make recommendations to ensure that each part 
121 air carrier is receiving an equivalent level of oversight; 
(3) to assess the number and level of experience of aviation 
safety inspectors assigned to each part 121 air carrier; 
(4) to evaluate how the Administration is making assign-
ments of aviation safety inspectors to each part 121 air carrier; 
(5) to review various safety inspector oversight programs, 
including the geographic inspector program; 
(6) to evaluate the adequacy of the number of operational 
research analysts assigned to each part 121 air carrier; 
(7) to evaluate the surveillance responsibilities of aviation 
safety inspectors, including en route inspections; 
(8) to evaluate whether inspectors are able to effectively 
use data sources, such as the Safety Performance Analysis 
System and the Air Transportation Oversight System, to assist 
in targeting oversight of each part 121 air carrier; 
(9) to assess the feasibility of establishment by the Adminis-
tration of a comprehensive repository of information that 
encompasses multiple Administration data sources and allows 
access by aviation safety inspectors and operational research 
analysts to assist in the oversight of each part 121 air carrier; 
and 
(10) to conduct such other analyses as the Inspector Gen-
eral considers relevant to the review. 
SEC. 
206. 
FLIGHT 
CREWMEMBER 
MENTORING, 
PROFESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT, AND LEADERSHIP. 
(a) AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall convene an aviation rulemaking com-
mittee to develop procedures for each part 121 air carrier 
to take the following actions:
H. R. 5900—12 
(A) Establish flight crewmember mentoring programs 
under which the air carrier will pair highly experienced 
flight crewmembers who will serve as mentor pilots and 
be paired with newly employed flight crewmembers. Mentor 
pilots should be provided, at a minimum, specific instruc-
tion on techniques for instilling and reinforcing the highest 
standards of technical performance, airmanship, and 
professionalism in newly employed flight crewmembers. 
(B) Establish flight crewmember professional develop-
ment committees made up of air carrier management and 
labor union or professional association representatives to 
develop, administer, and oversee formal mentoring pro-
grams of the carrier to assist flight crewmembers to reach 
their maximum potential as safe, seasoned, and proficient 
flight crewmembers. 
(C) Establish or modify training programs to accommo-
date substantially different levels and types of flight experi-
ence by newly employed flight crewmembers. 
(D) Establish or modify training programs for second- 
in-command flight crewmembers attempting to qualify as 
pilot-in-command flight crewmembers for the first time 
in a specific aircraft type and ensure that such programs 
include leadership and command training. 
(E) Ensure that recurrent training for pilots in com-
mand includes leadership and command training. 
(F) Such other actions as the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee determines appropriate to enhance flight crew-
member professional development. 
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH STERILE COCKPIT RULE.—Leadership 
and command training described in paragraphs (1)(D) and (1)(E) 
shall include instruction on compliance with flight crewmember 
duties under part 121.542 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(3) STREAMLINED PROGRAM REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—As part of the rulemaking required 
by subsection (b), the Administrator shall establish a 
streamlined review process for part 121 air carriers that 
have in effect, as of the date of enactment of this Act, 
the programs described in paragraph (1). 
(B) EXPEDITED
APPROVALS.—Under the streamlined 
review process, the Administrator shall— 
(i) review the programs of such part 121 air car-
riers to determine whether the programs meet the 
requirements set forth in the final rule referred to 
in subsection (b)(2); and 
(ii) expedite the approval of the programs that 
the Administrator determines meet such requirements. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator shall issue— 
(1) not later than one year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking based on the 
recommendations of the aviation rulemaking committee con-
vened under subsection (a); and 
(2) not later than 36 months after such date of enactment, 
a final rule based on such recommendations.
H. R. 5900—13 
SEC. 207. FLIGHT CREWMEMBER PAIRING AND CREW RESOURCE 
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall conduct a study on aviation industry best 
practices with regard to flight crewmember pairing, crew resource 
management techniques, and pilot commuting. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 
208. 
IMPLEMENTATION 
OF 
NTSB 
FLIGHT 
CREWMEMBER 
TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS. 
(a) RULEMAKING PROCEEDINGS.— 
(1) 
STALL
AND
UPSET
RECOGNITION
AND
RECOVERY 
TRAINING.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require part 
121 air carriers to provide flight crewmembers with ground 
training and flight training or flight simulator training— 
(A) to recognize and avoid a stall of an aircraft or, 
if not avoided, to recover from the stall; and 
(B) to recognize and avoid an upset of an aircraft 
or, if not avoided, to execute such techniques as available 
data indicate are appropriate to recover from the upset 
in a given make, model, and series of aircraft. 
(2) REMEDIAL
TRAINING
PROGRAMS.—The Administrator 
shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require part 121 
air carriers to establish remedial training programs for flight 
crewmembers who have demonstrated performance deficiencies 
or experienced failures in the training environment. 
(3) DEADLINES.—The Administrator shall— 
(A) not later than one year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, issue a notice of proposed rulemaking under 
each of paragraphs (1) and (2); and 
(B) not later than 36 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, issue a final rule for the rulemaking 
under each of paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(b) STICK PUSHER TRAINING AND WEATHER EVENT TRAINING.— 
(1) MULTIDISCIPLINARY PANEL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall convene a multidisciplinary panel of specialists in aircraft 
operations, flight crewmember training, human factors, and 
aviation safety to study and submit to the Administrator a 
report on methods to increase the familiarity of flight crew-
members with, and improve the response of flight crewmembers 
to, stick pusher systems, icing conditions, and microburst and 
windshear weather events. 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS AND NTSB.—Not later than one 
year after the date on which the Administrator convenes the 
panel, the Administrator shall— 
(A) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, and the National Transportation Safety Board a 
report based on the findings of the panel; and
H. R. 5900—14 
(B) with respect to stick pusher systems, initiate appro-
priate actions to implement the recommendations of the 
panel. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following definitions 
apply: 
(1) FLIGHT TRAINING AND FLIGHT SIMULATOR.—The terms 
‘‘flight training’’ and ‘‘flight simulator’’ have the meanings given 
those terms in part 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or any successor regulation). 
(2) STALL.—The term ‘‘stall’’ means an aerodynamic loss 
of lift caused by exceeding the critical angle of attack. 
(3) STICK PUSHER.—The term ‘‘stick pusher’’ means a device 
that, at or near a stall, applies a nose down pitch force to 
an aircraft’s control columns to attempt to decrease the air-
craft’s angle of attack. 
(4) UPSET.—The term ‘‘upset’’ means an unusual aircraft 
attitude. 
SEC. 209. FAA RULEMAKING ON TRAINING PROGRAMS. 
(a) COMPLETION OF RULEMAKING ON TRAINING PROGRAMS.— 
Not later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
issue a final rule with respect to the notice of proposed rulemaking 
published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2009 (74 Fed. 
Reg. 1280; relating to training programs for flight crewmembers 
and aircraft dispatchers). 
(b) EXPERT PANEL TO REVIEW PART 121 AND PART 135 TRAINING 
HOURS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene a 
multidisciplinary expert panel comprised of, at a minimum, 
air carrier representatives, training facility representatives, 
instructional design experts, aircraft manufacturers, safety 
organization representatives, and labor union representatives. 
(2) ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The panel shall 
assess and make recommendations concerning— 
(A) the best methods and optimal time needed for 
flight crewmembers of part 121 air carriers and flight 
crewmembers of part 135 air carriers to master aircraft 
systems, maneuvers, procedures, takeoffs and landings, and 
crew coordination; 
(B) initial and recurrent testing requirements for pilots, 
including the rigor and consistency of testing programs 
such as check rides; 
(C) the optimal length of time between training events 
for such flight crewmembers, including recurrent training 
events; 
(D) the best methods reliably to evaluate mastery by 
such flight crewmembers of aircraft systems, maneuvers, 
procedures, takeoffs and landings, and crew coordination; 
(E) classroom instruction requirements governing cur-
riculum content and hours of instruction; 
(F) the best methods to allow specific academic training 
courses to be credited toward the total flight hours required 
to receive an airline transport pilot certificate; and 
(G) crew leadership training.