220 
‘‘public-use airport’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 47102 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(h) SUNSET.—The pilot program shall terminate on 
the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 511. ENSURING FAA READINESS TO PROVIDE SEAM-
LESS OCEANIC OPERATIONS. 
Not later than September 30, 2018, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall make a final investment decision for 
the implementation of a reduced oceanic separation capa-
bility that, by March 31, 2019, shall be operational and 
in use providing capabilities at least equivalent to that of-
fered in neighboring airspace, and such service shall be 
provided in the same manner as terrestrial surveillance is 
provided. 
SEC. 512. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING WOMEN IN 
AVIATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that the aviation industry 
should explore all opportunities, including pilot training, 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics edu-
cation, and mentorship programs, to encourage and sup-
port female students and aviators to pursue a career in 
aviation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00220
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
221 
SEC. 
513. 
OBSTRUCTION 
EVALUATION 
AERONAUTICAL 
STUDIES. 
The Secretary of Transportation may implement the 
policy set forth in the notice of proposed policy titled ‘‘Pro-
posal to Consider the Impact of One Engine Inoperative 
Procedures in Obstruction Evaluation Aeronautical Stud-
ies’’ published by the Department of Transportation on 
April 28, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 23300), only if the policy 
is adopted pursuant to a notice and comment rulemaking 
and, for purposes of Executive Order 12866 (5 U.S.C. 601 
note; relating to regulatory planning and review), is treat-
ed as a significant regulatory action within the scope of 
section 3(f)(1) of such Order. 
SEC. 514. AIRCRAFT LEASING. 
Section 44112(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘on land or water’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘operational’’ before ‘‘control’’. 
SEC. 515. REPORT ON OBSOLETE TEST EQUIPMENT. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the National 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00221
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
222 
Test Equipment Program of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Program’’). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
(1) a list of all known outstanding requests for 
test equipment, cataloged by type and location, 
under the Program; 
(2) a description of the current method under 
the Program of ensuring calibrated equipment is in 
place for utilization; 
(3) a plan by the Administrator for appropriate 
inventory of such equipment; 
(4) the Administrator’s recommendations for 
increasing multifunctionality in future test equip-
ment and all known and foreseeable manufacturer 
technological advances; and 
(5) a plan to replace, as appropriate, obsolete 
test equipment throughout the service areas. 
SEC. 516. PILOTS SHARING FLIGHT EXPENSES WITH PAS-
SENGERS. 
(a) GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make 
publicly available, in a clear and concise format, ad-
visory guidance that describes how a pilot may share 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00222
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
223 
flight expenses with passengers in a manner con-
sistent with Federal law, including regulations. 
(2) EXAMPLES INCLUDED.—The guidance shall 
include examples of— 
(A) flights for which pilots and passengers 
may share expenses; 
(B) flights for which pilots and passengers 
may not share expenses; 
(C) the methods of communication that pi-
lots and passengers may use to arrange flights 
for which expenses are shared; and 
(D) the methods of communication that pi-
lots and passengers may not use to arrange 
flights for which expenses are shared. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date on which guidance is made publicly 
available under subsection (a), the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report analyzing Federal policy with respect to 
pilots sharing flight expenses with passengers. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00223
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
224 
(2) EVALUATIONS INCLUDED.—The report sub-
mitted under paragraph (1) shall include an evalua-
tion of— 
(A) the rationale for such Federal policy; 
(B) safety and other concerns related to 
pilots sharing flight expenses with passengers; 
and 
(C) benefits related to pilots sharing flight 
expenses with passengers. 
SEC. 517. AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE FOR PART 
135 PILOT REST AND DUTY RULES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall convene an aviation 
rulemaking committee to review, and develop findings and 
recommendations regarding, pilot rest and duty rules 
under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, 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 
based on the findings of the aviation rulemaking 
committee; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00224
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
225 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of sub-
mission of the report under paragraph (1), issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking based on any con-
sensus recommendations reached by the aviation 
rulemaking committee. 
(c) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee shall consist of members appointed by the Adminis-
trator, including— 
(1) representatives of industry; 
(2) representatives of aviation labor organiza-
tions, including collective bargaining units rep-
resenting pilots who are covered by part 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, and subpart K of 
part 91 of such title; and 
(3) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of flight crewmember education and training 
requirements under part 135 of such title. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator shall di-
rect the aviation rulemaking committee to consider— 
(1) recommendations of prior part 135 rule-
making committees; 
(2) accommodations necessary for small busi-
nesses; 
(3) scientific data derived from aviation-related 
fatigue and sleep research; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00225
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
226 
(4) data gathered from aviation safety reporting 
programs; 
(5) the need to accommodate the diversity of 
operations conducted under part 135; and 
(6) other items, as appropriate. 
SEC. 518. METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS AU-
THORITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the Metropolitan Washington Airports Au-
thority (in this section referred to as ‘‘MWAA’’), 
which operates Ronald Reagan Washington National 
Airport and Dulles International Airport by lease 
with the Department of Transportation, has rou-
tinely performed poorly on audits conducted by the 
Inspector General of the Department of Transpor-
tation; 
(2) the responsible stewardship of taxpayer- 
owned assets by MWAA is of great concern to Con-
gress; 
(3) a March 20, 2015, audit conducted by the 
Inspector General titled ‘‘MWAA’s Office of Audit 
Does Not Have an Adequate Quality Assurance and 
Improvement Program’’ (Report No. ZA–2015–035) 
found that MWAA’s quality assurance and improve-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00226
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
227 
ment program did not conform with the standards 
of the Institute of Internal Auditors; and 
(4) the Inspector General’s audit made 7 rec-
ommendations to strengthen MWAA governance, its 
Office of Audit, and its quality assurance and im-
provement program. 
(b) IMPLEMENTING AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Inspector General of the De-
partment of Transportation shall conduct a study on 
MWAA’s progress in implementing the recommenda-
tions of the audit referred to in subsection (a). 
(2) REPORT.—The Inspector General shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the study, including 
the Inspector General’s findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations for strengthening and improving 
MWAA’s Office of Audit. 
SEC. 519. TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall permit a covered air carrier 
to operate to or from a location in a noncontiguous State 
without a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast or Meteorological 
Aerodrome Report if— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00227
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
228 
(1) such location is determined to be under vis-
ual meteorological conditions; 
(2) a current Area Forecast, supplemented by 
other local weather observations or reports, is avail-
able; and 
(3) an alternate airport that has an available 
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast and weather report is 
specified. 
(b) PROCEDURES.—A covered air carrier shall— 
(1) have approved procedures for dispatch or 
release and enroute weather evaluation; and 
(2) operate under instrument flight rules 
enroute to the destination. 
(c) COVERED AIR CARRIER DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered air carrier’’ means an air carrier 
operating in a noncontiguous State under part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 520. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION EMPLOY-
EES STATIONED ON GUAM. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the Secretary of Defense should 
seek an agreement that would enable Federal Avia-
tion Administration employees stationed on Guam to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00228
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
229 
have access to Department of Defense hospitals, 
commissaries, and exchanges on Guam; 
(2) access to these facilities is important to en-
sure the health and well-being of Federal Aviation 
Administration employees and their families; and 
(3) in exchange for this access, the Federal 
Aviation Administration should make payments to 
cover the applicable administrative costs incurred by 
the Department of Defense in carrying out the 
agreement. 
SEC. 521. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) AIRPORT CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS 
AT CONGESTED AIRPORTS.—Section 40104(c) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 
47176’’ and inserting ‘‘section 47175’’. 
(b) 
PASSENGER
FACILITY
CHARGES.—Section 
40117(a)(5) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘charge or charge’’ and inserting ‘‘charge’’. 
(c) OVERFLIGHTS
OF NATIONAL PARKS.—Section 
40128(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘under part 91 of the title 14,’’ and inserting 
‘‘under part 91 of title 14,’’. 
(d) PLANS TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF 
PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN FOREIGN AIR CARRIER ACCI-
DENTS.—Section 41313(c)(16) of title 49, United States 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00229
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
230 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘An assurance that the for-
eign air carrier’’ and inserting ‘‘An assurance that’’. 
(e) OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS.—The analysis for 
chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 41718 and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘41718. Special rules for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.’’. 
(f) SCHEDULES FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION OF 
MAIL.—Section 41902(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 41906’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 41905’’. 
(g) WEIGHING MAIL.—Section 41907 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and -adminis-
trative’’ and inserting ‘‘and administrative’’. 
(h) STRUCTURES INTERFERING WITH AIR COM-
MERCE OR NATIONAL SECURITY.—Section 44718(b)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) 
by striking ‘‘air navigation facilities and equipment’’ 
and inserting ‘‘air or space navigation facilities and 
equipment’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (v) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause 
(vii); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00230
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
231 
(C) by inserting after clause (v) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(vi) the impact on launch and re-
entry for launch and reentry vehicles arriv-
ing or departing from a launch site or re-
entry site licensed by the Secretary of 
Transportation; and’’. 
(i) FEES INVOLVING AIRCRAFT NOT PROVIDING AIR 
TRANSPORTATION.—Section 45302 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘44703(f)(2)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘44703(g)(2)’’. 
(j) CHAPTER 465.—The analysis for chapter 465 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
following: 
‘‘46503. Repealed.’’. 
(k) SOLICITATION
AND CONSIDERATION
OF COM-
MENTS.—Section 47171(l) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘4371’’ and inserting ‘‘4321’’. 
(l) ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPENSATION FOR SIGNIFI-
CANTLY INCREASED COSTS.—Section 426 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) (49 U.S.C. 41737 note) by 
striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of 
Transportation’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00231
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
232 
(2) in subsection (c) (49 U.S.C. 41731 note) by 
striking ‘‘the Secretary may waive’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Secretary of Transportation may waive’’. 
(m) AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE QUEUE MANAGEMENT 
PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 507(a) of the FAA Moderniza-
tion and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44505 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 48101(a)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 48101(a) of title 49, United States Code,’’. 
SEC. 522. APPLICATION OF VETERANS’ PREFERENCE TO 
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PER-
SONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
Section 40122(g)(2)(B) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘3304(f),’’ before ‘‘3308- 
3320’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘3330a, 3330b, 3330c, and 
3330d,’’ before ‘‘relating’’. 
SEC. 523. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT ELIGIBLE FOR LOGGING 
FLIGHT TIMES. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration 
shall 
issue 
regulations 
modifying 
section 
61.51(j)(4) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, so 
as to include aircraft under the direct operational control 
of forestry and fire protection agencies as public aircraft 
eligible for logging flight times. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00232
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
233 
SEC. 524. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION WORK-
FORCE REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a review to assess the 
workforce and training needs of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration (in this section referred to as the ‘‘FAA’’) 
in the anticipated budgetary environment. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the review, the 
Comptroller General shall— 
(1) identify the long-term workforce and train-
ing needs of the FAA workforce; 
(2) assess the impact of automation, digitaliza-
tion, and artificial intelligence on the FAA work-
force; 
(3) analyze the skills and qualifications required 
of the FAA workforce for successful performance in 
the current and future projected aviation environ-
ment; 
(4) review current performance incentive poli-
cies of the FAA, including awards for performance; 
(5) analyze ways in which the FAA can work 
with industry and labor, including labor groups rep-
resenting the FAA workforce, to establish knowl-
edge-sharing opportunities between the FAA and the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00233
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
234 
aviation industry regarding new equipment and sys-
tems, best practices, and other areas of interest; and 
(6) develop recommendations on the most effec-
tive qualifications, training programs (including e- 
learning training), and performance incentive ap-
proaches to address the needs of the future pro-
jected aviation regulatory system in the anticipated 
budgetary environment. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the results of the review. 
SEC. 525. STATE TAXATION. 
Section 40116(d)(2)(A) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) except as otherwise provided under section 
47133, levy or collect a tax, fee, or charge, first tak-
ing effect after the date of enactment of this clause, 
upon any business located at a commercial service 
airport or operating as a permittee of such an air-
port that is not generally imposed on sales or serv-
ices by that State, political subdivision, or authority 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00234
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
235 
unless wholly utilized for airport or aeronautical pur-
poses.’’. 
SEC. 526. AVIATION AND AEROSPACE WORKFORCE OF THE 
FUTURE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) in 2016, United States air carriers carried 
a record high number of passengers on domestic 
flights, 719 million passengers; 
(2) the United States aerospace and defense in-
dustry employed 1.7 million workers in 2015, or 
roughly 2 percent of the Nation’s total employment 
base; 
(3) the average salary of an employee in the 
aerospace and defense industry is 44 percent above 
the national average; 
(4) in 2015, the aerospace and defense industry 
contributed nearly $202.4 billion in value added to 
the United States economy; 
(5) an effective aviation industry relies on indi-
viduals with unique skill sets, many of which can be 
directly obtained through career and technical edu-
cation opportunities; and 
(6) industry and the Federal Government have 
taken some actions to attract qualified individuals to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00235
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS
236 
careers in aviation and aerospace and to retain 
qualified individuals in such careers. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) public and private education institutions 
should make available to students and parents infor-
mation on approved programs of study and career 
pathways, including career exploration, work-based 
learning opportunities, dual and concurrent enroll-
ment opportunities, and guidance and advisement 
resources; 
(2) public and private education institutions 
should partner with aviation and aerospace compa-
nies to promote career paths available within the in-
dustry and share information on the unique benefits 
and opportunities the career paths offer; 
(3) aviation companies, including air carriers, 
manufacturers, commercial space companies, un-
manned aircraft system companies, and repair sta-
tions, should create opportunities, through appren-
ticeships or other mechanisms, to attract young peo-
ple to aviation and aerospace careers and to enable 
individuals to gain the critical skills needed to thrive 
in such professions; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:11 Apr 13, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00236
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4.IH
H4
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with BILLS