126 
‘‘(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
‘‘(e) REPORT.—Beginning in fiscal year 2009, the 
Administrator shall publish an annual report on the pro-
gram established under this section until completion of the 
program.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘47511. CLEEN engine and airframe technology partnership.’’. 
SEC. 506. PROHIBITION ON OPERATING CERTAIN AIRCRAFT 
WEIGHING 75,000 POUNDS OR LESS NOT COM-
PLYING WITH STAGE 3 NOISE LEVELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 475 is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 47534. Prohibition on operating certain aircraft 
weighing 75,000 pounds or less not com-
plying with stage 3 noise levels 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in sub-
section (b), (c), or (d), after December 31, 2012, a person 
may not operate a civil subsonic jet airplane with a max-
imum weight of 75,000 pounds or less, and for which an 
airworthiness certificate other than an experimental cer-
tificate has been issued, to or from an airport in the 
United States unless the Secretary of Transportation 
finds that the aircraft complies with stage 3 noise levels. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
aircraft operated only outside the 48 contiguous States. 
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127 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTIONS.—The Secretary may allow tem-
porary operation of an airplane otherwise prohibited from 
operation under subsection (a) to or from an airport in 
the contiguous United States by granting a special flight 
authorization for one or more of the following cir-
cumstances: 
‘‘(1) To sell, lease, or use the aircraft outside 
the 48 contiguous States. 
‘‘(2) To scrap the aircraft. 
‘‘(3) To obtain modifications to the aircraft to 
meet stage 3 noise levels. 
‘‘(4) To perform scheduled heavy maintenance 
or significant modifications on the aircraft at a 
maintenance facility located in the contiguous 48 
States. 
‘‘(5) To deliver the aircraft to an operator leas-
ing the aircraft from the owner or return the air-
craft to the lessor. 
‘‘(6) To prepare, park, or store the aircraft in 
anticipation of any of the activities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (5). 
‘‘(7) To provide transport of persons and goods 
in the relief of emergency situations. 
‘‘(8) To divert the aircraft to an alternative air 
port in the 48 contiguous States on account of 
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128 
weather, mechanical, fuel, air traffic control, or 
other safety reasons while conducting a flight in 
order to perform any of the activities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (7). 
‘‘(d) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the 
section may be construed as interfering with, nullifying, 
or otherwise affecting determinations made by the Federal 
Aviation Administration, or to be made by the Administra-
tion, with respect to applications under part 161 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, that were pending on 
the date of enactment of this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 47531 is amended by striking 
‘‘47529, or 47530’’ and inserting ‘‘47529, 47530, or 
47534’’. 
(2) Section 47532 is amended by inserting ‘‘or 
47534’’ after ‘‘47528–47531’’. 
(3) The analysis for chapter 475 is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 47533 the 
following: 
‘‘45734. Prohibition on operating certain aircraft weighing 75,000 pounds or 
less not complying with stage 3 noise levels.’’. 
SEC. 507. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a pilot program to carry out not 
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129 
more than 6 environmental mitigation demonstration 
projects at public-use airports. 
(b) GRANTS.—In implementing the program, the Sec-
retary may make a grant to the sponsor of a public-use 
airport 
from 
funds 
apportioned 
under 
section 
47117(e)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, to carry 
out an environmental mitigation demonstration project to 
measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, 
air quality, or water quality in the vicinity of the airport. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY FOR PASSENGER FACILITY FEES.— 
An environmental mitigation demonstration project that 
receives funds made available under this section may be 
considered an eligible airport-related project for purposes 
of section 40117 of such title. 
(d) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting among ap-
plicants for participation in the program, the Secretary 
shall give priority consideration to applicants proposing to 
carry out environmental mitigation demonstration projects 
that will— 
(1) achieve the greatest reductions in aircraft 
noise, airport emissions, or airport water quality im-
pacts either on an absolute basis or on a per dollar 
of funds expended basis; and 
(2) be implemented by an eligible consortium. 
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130 
(e) FEDERAL SHARE.—Notwithstanding any provi-
sion of subchapter I of chapter 471 of such title, the 
United States Government share of allowable project costs 
of an environmental mitigation demonstration project car-
ried out under this section shall be 50 percent. 
(f) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The Secretary may not 
make grants for a single environmental mitigation dem-
onstration project under this section in a total amount 
that exceeds $2,500,000. 
(g) PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
may develop and publish information on the results of en-
vironmental mitigation demonstration projects carried out 
under this section, including information identifying best 
practices for reducing or mitigating aviation impacts on 
noise, air quality, or water quality in the vicinity of air-
ports. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ELIGIBLE CONSORTIUM.—The term ‘‘eligi-
ble consortium’’ means a consortium of 2 or more of 
the following entities: 
(A) A business incorporated in the United 
States. 
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131 
(B) A public or private educational or re-
search organization located in the United 
States. 
(C) An entity of a State or local govern-
ment. 
(D) A Federal laboratory. 
(2) ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION DEMONSTRA-
TION PROJECT.—The term ‘‘environmental mitiga-
tion demonstration project’’ means a project that— 
(A) demonstrates at a public-use airport 
environmental mitigation techniques or tech-
nologies with associated benefits, which have al-
ready been proven in laboratory demonstra-
tions; 
(B) utilizes methods for efficient adapta-
tion or integration of innovative concepts to air-
port operations; and 
(C) demonstrates whether a technique or 
technology for environmental mitigation identi-
fied in research is— 
(i) practical to implement at or near 
multiple public-use airports; and 
(ii) capable of reducing noise, airport 
emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, or 
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132 
water quality impacts in measurably sig-
nificant amounts. 
SEC. 508. AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE QUEUE MANAGEMENT 
PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall carry out a pilot program at not more than 5 public- 
use airports under which the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion shall use funds made available under section 48101(a) 
to design, develop, and test air traffic flow management 
tools, methodologies, and procedures that will allow air 
traffic controllers of the Administration to better manage 
the flow of aircraft on the ground and reduce the length 
of ground holds and idling time for aircraft. 
(b) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting from among 
airports at which to conduct the pilot program, the Sec-
retary shall give priority consideration to airports at which 
improvements in ground control efficiencies are likely to 
achieve the greatest fuel savings or air quality or other 
environmental benefits, as measured by the amount of re-
duced fuel, reduced emissions, or other environmental ben-
efits per dollar of funds expended under the pilot program. 
(c) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—Not more than a total of 
$5,000,000 may be expended under the pilot program at 
any single public-use airport. 
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133 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary 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 containing— 
(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
pilot program, including an assessment of the tools, 
methodologies, and procedures that provided the 
greatest fuel savings and air quality and other envi-
ronmental benefits, and any impacts on safety, ca-
pacity, or efficiency of the air traffic control system 
or the airports at which affected aircraft were oper-
ating; 
(2) an identification of anticipated benefits 
from implementation of the tools, methodologies, 
and procedures developed under the pilot program at 
other airports; 
(3) a plan for implementing the tools, meth-
odologies, and procedures developed under the pilot 
program at other airports or the Secretary’s reasons 
for not implementing such measures at other air-
ports; and 
(4) such other information as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
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134 
SEC. 509. HIGH PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABLE AIR 
TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall implement, to the maximum 
extent practicable, sustainable practices for the incorpora-
tion of energy-efficient design, equipment, systems, and 
other measures in the construction and major renovation 
of air traffic control facilities of the Administration in 
order to reduce energy consumption and improve the envi-
ronmental performance of such facilities. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—Of amounts appropriated 
under section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
such sums as may be necessary may be used to carry out 
this section. 
SEC. 510. REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR AIRCRAFT 
ENGINE NOISE AND EMISSIONS STANDARDS. 
(a) INDEPENDENT REVIEW.—The Administrator of 
the FAA shall make appropriate arrangements for the Na-
tional Academy of Public Administration or another quali-
fied independent entity to review, in consultation with the 
FAA and the EPA, whether it is desirable to locate the 
regulatory responsibility for the establishment of engine 
noise and emissions standards for civil aircraft within one 
of the agencies. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—The review shall be con-
ducted so as to take into account— 
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135 
(1) the interrelationships between aircraft en-
gine noise and emissions; 
(2) the need for aircraft engine noise and emis-
sions to be evaluated and addressed in an integrated 
and comprehensive manner; 
(3) the scientific expertise of the FAA and the 
EPA to evaluate aircraft engine emissions and noise 
impacts on the environment; 
(4) expertise to interface environmental per-
formance with ensuring the highest safe and reliable 
engine performance of aircraft in flight; 
(5) consistency of the regulatory responsibility 
with other missions of the FAA and the EPA; 
(6) past effectiveness of the FAA and the EPA 
in carrying out the aviation environmental respon-
sibilities assigned to the agency; and 
(7) the international responsibility to represent 
the United States with respect to both engine noise 
and emissions standards for civil aircraft 
(c) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator of the FAA shall submit to Congress a report 
on the results of the review. The report shall include any 
recommendations developed as a result of the review and, 
if a transfer of responsibilities is recommended, a descrip-
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136 
tion of the steps and timeline for implementation of the 
transfer. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) EPA.—The term ‘‘EPA’’ means the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency. 
(2) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
SEC. 511. PRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE JET FUEL TECH-
NOLOGY FOR CIVIL AIRCRAFT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF RESEARCH PROGRAM.— 
Using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of 
title 49, United States Code, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall establish a research program related to devel-
oping jet fuel from alternative sources (such as coal, nat-
ural gas, biomass, ethanol, butanol, and hydrogen) 
through grants or other measures authorized under sec-
tion 106(l)(6) of such title, including reimbursable agree-
ments with other Federal agencies. 
(b) PARTICIPATION
BY
EDUCATIONAL
AND
RE-
SEARCH INSTITUTIONS.—In conducting the program, the 
Secretary provide for participation by educational and re-
search institutions that have existing facilities and experi-
ence in the development and deployment of technology for 
alternative jet fuels. 
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137 
(c) DESIGNATION OF INSTITUTE AS A CENTER OF 
EXCELLENCE.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall designate an institution de-
scribed in subsection (a) as a Center of Excellence for Al-
ternative Jet Fuel Research. 
TITLE VI—FAA EMPLOYEES AND 
ORGANIZATION 
SEC. 601. MSPB REMEDIAL AUTHORITY FOR FAA EMPLOY-
EES. 
Section 40122(g)(3) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, retroactive to April 
1, 1996, the Board shall have the same remedial authority 
over such employee appeals that it had as of March 31, 
1996.’’. 
SEC. 602. FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING AND STAFFING. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Comptroller General 
shall conduct a study on the training of the airway 
transportation systems specialists of the Federal 
Aviation Administration (in this section referred to 
as ‘‘FAA systems specialists’’). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall— 
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138 
(A) include an analysis of the type of 
training provided to FAA systems specialists; 
(B) include an analysis of the type of 
training that FAA systems specialists need to 
be proficient on the maintenance of latest tech-
nologies; 
(C) include a description of actions that 
the Administration has undertaken to ensure 
that FAA systems specialists receive up-to-date 
training on the latest technologies; 
(D) identify the amount and cost of FAA 
systems specialists training provided by ven-
dors; 
(E) identify the amount and cost of FAA 
systems specialists training provided by the Ad-
ministration after developing courses for the 
training of such specialists; 
(F) identify the amount and cost of travel 
that is required of FAA systems specialists in 
receiving training; and 
(G) include a recommendation regarding 
the most cost-effective approach to providing 
FAA systems specialists training. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
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139 
eral shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the re-
sults of the study. 
(b) WORKLOAD OF SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS.— 
(1) 
STUDY
BY
NATIONAL
ACADEMY
OF 
SCIENCES.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall make appropriate 
arrangements for the National Academy of Sciences 
to conduct a study of the assumptions and methods 
used by the Federal Aviation Administration to esti-
mate staffing needs for FAA systems specialists to 
ensure proper maintenance and certification of the 
national airspace system. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall be conducted 
so as to provide the following: 
(A) A suggested method of modifying FAA 
systems specialists staffing models for applica-
tion to current local conditions or applying 
some other approach to developing an objective 
staffing standard. 
(B) The approximate cost and length of 
time for developing such models. 
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140 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
initiation of the arrangements under subsection (a), 
the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to 
Congress a report on the results of the study. 
SEC. 603. DESIGNEE PROGRAM. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
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 status of recommendations made 
by the Government Accountability Office in its October 
2004 report, ‘‘Aviation Safety: FAA Needs to Strengthen 
Management of Its Designee Programs’’ (GAO–05–40). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the extent to which the 
Federal Aviation Administration has responded to 
recommendations of the Government Accountability 
Office referred to in subsection (a); 
(2) an identification of improvements, if any, 
that have been made to the designee programs re-
ferred to in the report of the Office as a result of 
such recommendations; and 
(3) an identification of further action that is 
needed to implement such recommendations, im-
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