I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3198 
To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and development, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 12, 2017 
Mr. KNIGHT (for himself, Mr. SMITH of Texas, and Mr. BABIN) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and 
development, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research 
and Development Act’’ or the ‘‘FLIGHT R&D Act’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE II—FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION 
Sec. 11. Associate Administrator for Research and Development. 
Sec. 12. Research advisory committee. 
Sec. 13. Plan to determine research and development responsibility. 
TITLE III—UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 
Sec. 21. Unmanned aircraft systems research and development roadmap. 
Sec. 22. Probabilistic metrics for exemptions. 
Sec. 23. Probabilistic assessment of risks. 
Sec. 24. Unmanned aerial vehicle-manned aircraft collision research. 
Sec. 25. Special rule for research and development. 
Sec. 26. Beyond line-of-sight research and development. 
TITLE IV—CYBERSECURITY 
Sec. 31. Cyber Testbed. 
Sec. 32. Cabin communications, entertainment, and information technology sys-
tems cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 
Sec. 33. Cybersecurity threat modeling. 
Sec. 34. National Institute of Standards and Technology cybersecurity stand-
ards. 
Sec. 35. Cybersecurity research coordination. 
Sec. 36. Cybersecurity research and development program. 
TITLE V—FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 
Sec. 41. Research plan for the certification of new technologies into the na-
tional airspace system. 
Sec. 42. Aviation fuel research, development, and usage. 
Sec. 43. Air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote locations. 
Sec. 44. Single-piloted commercial cargo aircraft. 
Sec. 45. Electromagnetic spectrum research and development. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
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(2) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
(3) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATIONS.—Section 48102(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1) by strik-
ing ‘‘and, for each of fiscal years 2012 through 
2015, under subsection (g)’’; 
(2) at the end of paragraph (8), by striking 
‘‘and’’; 
(3) in paragraph (9) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) for fiscal year 2018, $181,000,000, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) $128,500,000 for Safety Research 
and Development programs, including— 
‘‘(i) Fire Research and Safety; 
‘‘(ii) Propulsion and Fuel Systems; 
‘‘(iii) Advanced Materials/Structural 
Safety; 
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‘‘(iv) Aircraft Icing/Digital System 
Safety; 
‘‘(v) Continued Airworthiness; 
‘‘(vi) Aircraft Catastrophic Failure 
Prevention Research; 
‘‘(vii) Flightdeck/Maintenance/System 
Integration Human Factors; 
‘‘(viii) System Safety Management; 
‘‘(ix) Air Traffic Control/Technical 
Operations Human Factors; 
‘‘(x) Aeromedical Research; 
‘‘(xi) Weather Program; 
‘‘(xii) Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Research; 
‘‘(xiii) NextGen–Alternative Fuels for 
General Aviation; 
‘‘(xiv) Joint Planning and Develop-
ment Office; 
‘‘(xv) Ocean and Other Remote Loca-
tions ATS Research Program; 
‘‘(xvi) Cybersecurity Research Pro-
gram; 
‘‘(xvii) Cybersecurity Threat Modeling 
Program; 
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‘‘(ii) William J. Hughes Technical 
Center Laboratory Facility; 
‘‘(11) for fiscal year 2019, $186,000,000, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) $131,000,000 for Safety Research 
and Development programs, including— 
‘‘(i) Fire Research and Safety; 
‘‘(ii) Propulsion and Fuel Systems; 
‘‘(iii) Advanced Materials/Structural 
Safety; 
‘‘(iv) Aircraft Icing/Digital System 
Safety; 
‘‘(v) Continued Airworthiness; 
‘‘(vi) Aircraft Catastrophic Failure 
Prevention Research; 
‘‘(vii) Flightdeck/Maintenance/System 
Integration Human Factors; 
‘‘(viii) System Safety Management; 
‘‘(ix) Air Traffic Control/Technical 
Operations Human Factors; 
‘‘(x) Aeromedical Research; 
‘‘(xi) Weather Program; 
‘‘(xii) Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Research; 
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‘‘(xiii) NextGen–Alternative Fuels for 
General Aviation; 
‘‘(xiv) Joint Planning and Develop-
ment Office; 
‘‘(xv) Ocean and Other Remote Loca-
tions ATS Research Program; 
‘‘(xvi) Cybersecurity Research Pro-
gram; 
‘‘(xvii) Cybersecurity Threat Modeling 
Program; 
‘‘(xviii) Single Piloted Commercial 
Cargo Aircraft Program; and 
‘‘(xix) UAV-Manned Aircraft Collision 
Research Program; 
‘‘(B) $28,000,000 for Economic Competi-
tiveness Research and Development programs, 
including— 
‘‘(i) NextGen–Wake Turbulence; 
‘‘(ii) NextGen–Air Ground Integration 
Human Factors; 
‘‘(iii) Next Gen–Weather Technology 
in the Cockpit; and 
‘‘(iv) Commercial Space Transpor-
tation Safety; 
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‘‘(C) $20,000,000 for Environmental Sus-
tainability Research and Development pro-
grams, including— 
‘‘(i) Environment and Energy; and 
‘‘(ii) 
NextGen–Environmental 
Re-
search–Aircraft Technologies, Fuels and 
Metrics; and 
‘‘(D) $7,000,000 for Mission Support pro-
grams, including— 
‘‘(i) System Planning and Resource 
Management; and 
‘‘(ii) William J. Hughes Technical 
Center Laboratory Facility; 
‘‘(12) for fiscal year 2020, $190,000,000, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) $133,500,000 for Safety Research 
and Development programs, including— 
‘‘(i) Fire Research and Safety; 
‘‘(ii) Propulsion and Fuel Systems; 
‘‘(iii) Advanced Materials/Structural 
Safety; 
‘‘(iv) Aircraft Icing/Digital System 
Safety; 
‘‘(v) Continued Airworthiness; 
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‘‘(vi) Aircraft Catastrophic Failure 
Prevention Research; 
‘‘(vii) Flightdeck/Maintenance/System 
Integration Human Factors; 
‘‘(viii) System Safety Management; 
‘‘(ix) Air Traffic Control/Technical 
Operations Human Factors; 
‘‘(x) Aeromedical Research; 
‘‘(xi) Weather Program; 
‘‘(xii) Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Research; 
‘‘(xiii) NextGen–Alternative Fuels for 
General Aviation; 
‘‘(xiv) Joint Planning and Develop-
ment Office; 
‘‘(xv) Ocean and Other Remote Loca-
tions ATS Research Program; 
‘‘(xvi) Cybersecurity Research Pro-
gram; 
‘‘(xvii) Cybersecurity Threat Modeling 
Program; 
‘‘(xviii) Single Piloted Commercial 
Cargo Aircraft Program; and 
‘‘(xix) UAV-Manned Aircraft Collision 
Research Program; 
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‘‘(B) $29,000,000 for Economic Competi-
tiveness Research and Development programs, 
including— 
‘‘(i) NextGen–Wake Turbulence; 
‘‘(ii) NextGen–Air Ground Integration 
Human Factors; 
‘‘(iii) Next Gen–Weather Technology 
in the Cockpit; and 
‘‘(iv) Commercial Space Transpor-
tation Safety; 
‘‘(C) $20,000,000 for Environmental Sus-
tainability Research and Development pro-
grams, including— 
‘‘(i) Environment and Energy; and 
‘‘(ii) 
NextGen–Environmental 
Re-
search–Aircraft Technologies, Fuels and 
Metrics; and 
‘‘(D) $7,500,000 for Mission Support pro-
grams, including— 
‘‘(i) System Planning and Resource 
Management; and 
‘‘(ii) William J. Hughes Technical 
Center Laboratory Facility; 
‘‘(13) for fiscal year 2021, $126,000,000; 
‘‘(14) for fiscal year 2022, $130,000,000; and 
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‘‘(15) for fiscal year 2023, $132,000,000.’’. 
(b) CONTINGENCY FUNDING.—Section 48102(b) of 
title 49, United States, Code, is amended by inserting 
after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) Notwithstanding subsection (a), no funds are 
authorized for a fiscal year for Environmental Sustain-
ability Research and Development programs unless the 
full amount authorized for that fiscal year under sub-
section (a) for the all of the following programs is appro-
priated for that fiscal year: 
‘‘(A) Safety Research and Development pro-
grams. 
‘‘(B) Economic Competitiveness Research and 
Development programs. 
‘‘(C) Mission Support programs.’’. 
(c) ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF THE NATIONAL AVIA-
TION RESEARCH PLAN.—Section 48102(g) of title 49, 
United States, Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF THE NATIONAL AVIA-
TION RESEARCH PLAN.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
no funds are authorized to be appropriated for the Office 
of the Administrator for a fiscal year unless the Secretary 
has submitted the National Aviation Research Plan to 
Congress no later than the date of submission of the Presi-
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dent’s budget request to Congress for that fiscal year, as 
required under section 44501(c).’’. 
TITLE II—FAA RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION 
SEC. 11. ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 3 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and De-
velopment. 
(b) SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE.—The Associate 
Administrator for Research and Development shall be a 
Senior Executive Service position. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Associate Adminis-
trator for Research and Development shall, at a minimum, 
be responsible for— 
(1) management and oversight of all the FAA’s 
research and development programs and activities; 
and 
(2) production of all congressional reports from 
the FAA relevant to research and development, in-
cluding the National Aviation Research Plan. 
(d) DUAL APPOINTMENT.—The Associate Adminis-
trator for Research and Development may be a dual ap-
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pointment, holding the responsibilities of another Asso-
ciate Administrator. 
SEC. 12. RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) 
ADVICE
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Section 
44508(a)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) provide advice and recommendations to 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration and Congress about needs, objectives, plans, 
approaches, content, and accomplishments of all 
aviation research and development activities and 
programs carried out, including those under sections 
40119, 44504, 44505, 44507, 44511–44513, and 
44912 of this title;’’. 
(b) WRITTEN REPLY TO RESEARCH ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.—Section 44508 of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) WRITTEN REPLY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days 
after receiving any recommendation from the re-
search advisory committee, the Administrator shall 
provide a written reply to the research advisory com-
mittee that, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) clearly states whether the Adminis-
trator accepts or rejects the recommendations; 
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‘‘(B) explains the rationale for the Admin-
istrator’s decision; 
‘‘(C) sets forth the timeframe in which the 
Administrator will implement the recommenda-
tion; and 
‘‘(D) describes the steps the Administrator 
will take to implement the recommendation. 
‘‘(2) TRANSPARENCY.—The written reply to the 
research advisory committee, when transmitted to 
the research advisory committee, shall be— 
‘‘(A) made publicly available on the re-
search advisory committee website; and 
‘‘(B) transmitted to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate. 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL AVIATION RESEARCH PLAN.— 
The National Aviation Research Plan shall include a 
summary of all research advisory committee rec-
ommendations and a description of the status of 
their implementation.’’. 
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SEC. 13. PLAN TO DETERMINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT RESPONSIBILITY. 
(a) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
with the Research, Engineering, and Development Advi-
sory Committee, NASA, and other relevant agencies, shall 
enter into an arrangement with an external independent 
systems engineering and technical assistance organization 
to develop a plan, in the event that the national air traffic 
control system is required to be transferred to a non-Fed-
eral entity, for the transition of FAA research and devel-
opment activities to such entity. 
(b) PLAN CONTENTS.—At a minimum, the plan de-
veloped pursuant to subsection (a) shall— 
(1) examine all FAA research and development 
activities, regardless of the budget account funding 
such activities; 
(2) take into account such required transfer of 
the national air traffic control system; 
(3) recommend research and development ac-
tivities that— 
(A) should be transferred to such non-Fed-
eral entity; 
(B) should not be transferred to such non- 
Federal entity; and 
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(C) should be shared between the FAA and 
such non-Federal entity; 
(4) identify the necessary authorities that exist 
or are required to carry out the recommendations 
under paragraph (3); 
(5) assess the pros and cons of transferring 
particular categories of research and development 
activities from the FAA to such non-Federal entity; 
and 
(6) take into account the safety of the national 
airspace system, national security, foreign policy, 
and the economic interests of the United States. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
the plan required under subsection (a) to— 
(1) the Research, Engineering, and Develop-
ment Advisory Committee; and 
(2) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(d) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ASSESSMENT.—Not later 
than 6 months after receiving the report under subsection 
(c), the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory 
Committee shall submit an assessment of the plan re-
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quired under subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
TITLE III—UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 
SEC. 21. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 332(a)(5) of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, in coordination with NASA 
and relevant stakeholders, including those in indus-
try and academia,’’ after ‘‘Web site’’; and 
(2) by inserting after ‘‘annually.’’ the following: 
‘‘The roadmap shall include, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) cost estimates, planned schedules, 
and performance benchmarks, including specific 
tasks, milestones, and timelines for unmanned 
aircraft systems integration into the national 
airspace system, including— 
‘‘(i) the role of the 6 unmanned air-
craft systems test ranges established under 
subsection (c) and the Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems Center of Excellence; 
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‘‘(ii) performance and certification 
standards for unmanned aircraft systems 
that operate in the national airspace sys-
tem; and 
‘‘(iii) an identification of tools needed 
to assist air traffic controllers in managing 
unmanned aircraft systems in the national 
airspace system; 
‘‘(B) a description of how the FAA plans 
to use research and development, including re-
search and development conducted through 
NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic 
Management, to accommodate, integrate, and 
provide for the evolution of unmanned aircraft 
systems into the national airspace system; 
‘‘(C) an assessment of critical performance 
abilities necessary to integrate unmanned air-
craft systems into the national airspace system, 
and how these performance abilities can be 
demonstrated; and 
‘‘(D) an update on the advancement of 
technologies needed to integrate unmanned air-
craft systems into the national airspace system, 
including decisionmaking by adaptive systems 
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such as sense-and-avoid, availability of fre-
quency spectrum, and cyber physical security.’’. 
(b) LIMITATION.—No funds are authorized to be ap-
propriated for the Office of the Administrator for a fiscal 
year unless the Secretary has submitted the unmanned 
aircraft systems roadmap to Congress on an annual basis 
as required under section 332(a) of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note). 
SEC. 22. PROBABILISTIC METRICS FOR EXEMPTIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall commis-
sion an independent study to— 
(1) develop parameters to conduct research and 
development for probabilistic metrics to enable the 
identification of hazards and the assessment of risks 
as necessary to make determinations under section 
333(a) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) that certain un-
manned aircraft systems may operate safely in the 
national airspace system; 
(2) identify additional research needed to more 
effectively develop and use such metrics and make 
such determinations; and 
(3) in developing parameters for probabilistic 
metrics, this study shall take into account the utility 
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of performance standards to make determinations 
under section 333(a) of the FAA Modernization and 
Reform Act of 2012. 
(b) CONSIDERATION
OF RESULTS.—The Adminis-
trator shall consider the results of the study conducted 
under subsection (a) when making a determination de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 9 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
the results of the study conducted under subsection (a) 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 23. PROBABILISTIC ASSESSMENT OF RISKS. 
The Administrator shall conduct research and devel-
opment to enable a probabilistic assessment of risks to in-
form requirements for standards for operational certifi-
cation of public unmanned aircraft systems in the national 
airspace. 
SEC. 24. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE-MANNED AIRCRAFT 
COLLISION RESEARCH. 
(a) RESEARCH.—The Administrator shall coordinate 
with NASA to conduct comprehensive testing of un-
manned aerial vehicles colliding with a manned aircraft, 
including— 
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(1) collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles 
of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and 
commercial jet airliners of various sizes, traveling at 
various speeds; 
(2) collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles 
of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and pro-
peller planes of various sizes, traveling at various 
speeds; 
(3) collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles 
of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and 
blimps of various sizes, traveling at various speeds; 
(4) collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles 
of various sizes, traveling at various speeds, and 
rotorcraft of various sizes, traveling at various 
speeds; and 
(5) collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles 
and various parts of the aforementioned aircraft, in-
cluding— 
(A) windshields; 
(B) noses; 
(C) engines; 
(D) radomes; 
(E) propellers; and 
(F) wings. 
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(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a report summarizing the costs and results of research 
under this section to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate. 
SEC. 25. SPECIAL RULE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT. 
Except as necessary to support enforcement action 
under applicable provisions of law against persons oper-
ating unmanned aircraft in a manner that endangers the 
safety of the national airspace system, notwithstanding 
any other provision of law relating to the incorporation 
of unmanned aircraft systems into FAA plans and policies, 
the Administrator may not promulgate any rule or regula-
tion regarding the operation of an unmanned aircraft sys-
tem— 
(1) that is flown strictly for research and devel-
opment use; 
(2) that is operated less than 400 feet above 
the ground and in Class G airspace; 
(3) that is operated in a manner that does not 
interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; 
and 
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(4) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the 
operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator 
and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air 
traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior 
notice of the operation (unmanned aircraft operators 
flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of 
an airport should establish a mutually agreed upon 
operating procedure with the airport operator and 
the airport air traffic control tower (when an air 
traffic facility is located at the airport)). 
SEC. 26. BEYOND LINE-OF-SIGHT RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 332(c)(2) of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 40101 
note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Administrator shall’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Administrator’’; 
(2) at the beginning of each of subparagraphs 
(A) through (F), by inserting ‘‘shall’’; 
(3) at the end of subparagraph (E), by striking 
‘‘and’’; 
(4) at the end of subparagraph (F), by striking 
the period and inserting a semicolon; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
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‘‘(G) shall allow beyond line-of-sight oper-
ation of unmanned aircraft systems to be flown 
within the boundaries of a test range estab-
lished under this subsection; 
‘‘(H) may promulgate regulations gov-
erning beyond line-of-sight operation of un-
manned aircraft systems flown within the 
boundaries of a test range established under 
this subsection for the purposes of public safe-
ty; and 
‘‘(I) shall allow NASA to authorize oper-
ation of beyond line-of-sight unmanned aircraft 
systems within the boundaries of any NASA 
center or facility.’’. 
(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the 
amendments made by subsection (a) shall be construed to 
limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue enforce-
ment action under applicable provisions of law against per-
sons operating unmanned aircraft in a manner that en-
dangers the safety of the national airspace system. 
TITLE IV—CYBERSECURITY 
SEC. 31. CYBER TESTBED. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall develop an integrated 
Cyber Testbed for research, development, evaluation, and 
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validation of air traffic control modernization programs or 
technologies, before they enter the national airspace sys-
tem, as being compliant with FAA data security regula-
tions. The Cyber Testbed shall be part of an integrated 
research and development test environment capable of cre-
ating, identifying, defending, and solving cybersecurity-re-
lated problems for the national airspace system. This inte-
grated test environment shall incorporate integrated test 
capacities within the FAA related to the national airspace 
system and NextGen. 
SEC. 32. CABIN COMMUNICATIONS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS CY-
BERSECURITY VULNERABILITIES. 
(a) EVALUATION.—The Administrator shall evaluate 
and determine the research and development needs associ-
ated with cybersecurity vulnerabilities of cabin commu-
nications, entertainment, and information technology sys-
tems on civil passenger aircraft. This evaluation shall in-
clude research and development to address— 
(1) technical risks and vulnerabilities; 
(2) potential impacts on the national airspace 
and public safety; and 
(3) identification of deficiencies in cabin-based 
cybersecurity. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall— 
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(1) conduct an assessment of opportunities to 
cooperate with the private sector in conducting air-
craft in-cabin cybersecurity research and develop-
ment; and 
(2) provide recommendations to improve re-
search and development on cabin-based cybersecurity 
vulnerabilities. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 9 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a report on the results of activities under this section to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. This 
report may contain classified annexes. 
SEC. 33. CYBERSECURITY THREAT MODELING. 
(a) PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall con-
sult the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology to research and develop an internal FAA cy-
bersecurity threat modeling program to detect cyber-
security vulnerabilities, track how those vulnerabili-
ties might be exploited, and assess the magnitude of 
harm that could be caused by the exploitation of 
those vulnerabilities. 
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(2) UPDATES.—This program shall be updated 
regularly, not less than once every 5 years. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and within 7 days of each threat 
modeling program update under subsection (a)(2), the Ad-
ministrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate detailing the status, re-
sults, and composition of the threat modeling program. 
SEC. 34. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECH-
NOLOGY CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the FAA shall, in consultation with the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology, transmit to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
that includes— 
(1) a cybersecurity standards plan to implement 
National Institute of Standards and Technology re-
visions to cybersecurity guidance documents within 
timeframes set by the Office of Management and 
Budget; and 
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(2) an explanation of why any such rec-
ommendations are not incorporated in the plan or 
are not incorporated within such timeframes. 
SEC. 35. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH COORDINATION. 
The Administrator shall, where feasible, cooperate on 
cybersecurity research and development with other inter-
national air traffic management organizations, including 
the European Aviation Safety Agency, the United King-
dom Civil Aviation Authority, Nav Canada, and Airser-
vices Australia. 
SEC. 36. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the FAA, in consulta-
tion with other agencies as appropriate, shall establish a 
research and development program to improve the cyber-
security of civil aircraft and the national airspace system. 
(b) PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the FAA shall de-
velop a plan for the research and development pro-
gram established under subsection (a) that contains 
objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and a 5-year 
budgetary profile. 
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(2) NATIONAL ACADEMIES’ STUDY.—The Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(A) enter into an arrangement with the 
National Academies for a study of the plan de-
veloped under paragraph (1); and 
(B) provide the results of that study to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE V—FAA RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 41. RESEARCH PLAN FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF 
NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE NATIONAL 
AIRSPACE SYSTEM. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with NASA, 
shall transmit a comprehensive research plan for the cer-
tification of new technologies into the national airspace 
system to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
This plan shall identify research necessary to support the 
certification and implementation of NextGen, including 
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both ground and air elements, and explain the plan’s rela-
tionship to other activities and procedures required for 
certification and implementation of new technologies into 
the national airspace system. This plan shall be informed 
by and conform to the recommendations of the National 
Research Council report titled ‘‘Transformation in the 
Air—A Review of the FAA Research Plan’’, issued on 
June 8, 2015. This report shall include, at a minimum— 
(1) a description of the strategic and prescrip-
tive value of the research plan; 
(2) an explanation of the expected outcomes 
from executing the plan; 
(3) an assessment of the FAA’s plan to use re-
search and development to improve cybersecurity 
over the next 5 years, taking into account the cyber-
security research and development plan developed 
under section 36(b); 
(4) an assessment of the current software as-
surance practices, and the desired level or attributes 
to target in the software assurance program; 
(5) cost estimates, planned schedules, and per-
formance benchmarks, including specific tasks, mile-
stones, and timelines and including an identification 
of cost and schedule reserves, for the certification of 
new technologies into the national airspace system, 
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including NextGen, Automatic Dependent Surveil-
lance-Broadcast, Data Communications, National 
Airspace System Voice System, Collaborative Air 
Traffic Management Technologies, NextGen Weath-
er, and System Wide Information Management; 
(6) methods for integrating emerging tech-
nologies throughout NextGen’s development, certifi-
cation, and implementation process; and 
(7) best practices in research and development 
used by other organizations, such as NASA, Nav-
Canada, and Eurocontrol. 
SEC. 42. AVIATION FUEL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
USAGE. 
The Administrator may conduct or supervise re-
search, development, and service testing, currently being 
conducted under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative 
(PAFI) unleaded avgas program, that is required to allow 
the use of an unleaded aviation gasoline in existing air-
craft as a replacement for leaded gasoline. 
SEC. 43. AIR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE OVER OCEANS AND 
OTHER REMOTE LOCATIONS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Adminis-
trator, in consultation with NASA and other relevant 
agencies, shall establish a research and development pro-
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gram on civilian air traffic surveillance over oceans and 
other remote locations. Such program shall— 
(1) take into account the need for international 
interoperability of technologies and air traffic control 
systems; and 
(2) recognize that Automatic Dependent Sur-
veillance-Broadcast (ADS–B) is an element of the 
Next Generation Air Transportation System. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a pilot program to test, evaluate, and certify for 
integration into the national airspace system air traffic 
surveillance equipment for oceans and other remote loca-
tions. 
(c) PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY.—The 
Administrator shall partner with private industry on the 
research, development, testing, and evaluation under this 
section. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit a report on activities under this section to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
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SEC. 44. SINGLE-PILOTED COMMERCIAL CARGO AIRCRAFT. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The FAA, in consultation with 
NASA and other relevant agencies, shall establish a re-
search and development program in support of single-pi-
loted cargo aircraft assisted with remote piloting and com-
puter piloting. 
(b) REVIEW.—The FAA, in consultation with NASA, 
shall conduct a review of FAA research and development 
activities in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft as-
sisted with remote piloting and computer piloting. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
that describes— 
(1) the program established under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) the results of the review conducted under 
subsection (b). 
SEC. 45. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT. 
The Administrator shall develop a program to re-
search the use of spectrum in the civil aviation domain, 
including aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems. This 
research shall, at a minimum, address— 
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(1) how, operating within an Unmanned Air-
craft System Traffic Management system, un-
manned aircraft systems can safely use, for control 
link, tracking, diagnostics, payload communication, 
collaborative-collision avoidance (e.g. vehicle-to-vehi-
cle communications), and other purposes— 
(A) aviation-protected spectrum; 
(B) commercial communications networks, 
such as mobile communications networks; and 
(C) any other licensed or unlicensed spec-
trum; 
(2) how the reallocation of spectrum assigned 
for use within frequency bands adjacent to those al-
located for position, navigation, and timing may im-
pact the safety of civil aviation; and 
(3) measures to protect and mitigate against 
spectrum interference in frequency bands used by 
the civil aviation community to ensure public safety. 
Æ 
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