I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2271
To enable the United States to maintain its leadership in aeronautics and 
aviation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2003
Mr. TIAHRT (for himself and Mr. BOSWELL) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To enable the United States to maintain its leadership in 
aeronautics and aviation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF SECTIONS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Second Century of Flight Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections for 
this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of sections. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
TITLE I—THE OFFICE OF AEROSPACE AND AVIATION LIAISON
Sec. 101. Office of Aerospace and Aviation Liaison. 
Sec. 102. National Air Traffic Management System Development Office. 
Sec. 103. Report on certain market developments and government policies. 
TITLE II—TECHNICAL PROGRAMS 
Sec. 201. Aerospace workforce initiative. 
Sec. 202. Scholarships for service. 
TITLE III—FAA RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT 
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 302. Research program to improve airfield pavements. 
Sec. 303. Ensuring appropriate standards for airfield pavements. 
Sec. 304. Assessment of wake turbulence research and development pro-
gram. 
Sec. 305. Cabin air quality research program. 
Sec. 306. International role of the FAA. 
Sec. 307. FAA report on other nations’ safety and technological advance-
ments. 
Sec. 308. Development of analytical tools and certification methods. 
Sec. 309. Pilot program to provide incentives for development of new tech-
nologies. 
Sec. 310. FAA center for excellence for applied research and training in 
the use of advanced materials in transport aircraft. 
Sec. 311. FAA certification of design organizations. 
Sec. 312. Report on long term environmental improvements. 
TITLE IV—NASA RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND DEVELOPMENT 
Sec. 401. NASA aeronautics research plan. 
Sec. 402. Assessment of NASA research plan. 
Sec. 403. Study of markets enabled by environmental technologies for fu-
ture aircraft. 
Sec. 404. Vehicle-enabling technology program. 
Sec. 405. Aviation software initiatives. 
Sec. 406. Weather sensors and prediction. 
Sec. 407. Advisory committees. 
Sec. 408. National Center for Advanced Materials Performance. 
Sec. 409. Unified budget report. 
Sec. 410. Cost-sharing.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) Since 1990, the United States has lost more 
than 600,000 aerospace jobs. 
(2) Over the last year, approximately 100,000 
airline workers and aerospace workers have lost 
their jobs as a result of the terrorist attacks in the
United States on September 11, 2001, and the slow-
down in the world economy. 
(3) The United States has revolutionized the 
way people travel, developing new technologies and 
aircraft to move people more efficiently and more 
safely. 
(4) Past Federal investment in aeronautics re-
search and development have benefited the economy 
and national security of the United States and the 
quality of life of its citizens. 
(5) The total impact of civil aviation on the 
United States economy exceeds $900 billion annu-
ally—9 percent of the gross national product—and 
11 million jobs in the national workforce. Civil avia-
tion products and services generate a significant sur-
plus for United States trade accounts, and amount 
to significant numbers of America’s highly skilled, 
technologically qualified work force. 
(6) Aerospace technologies, products and serv-
ices underpin the advanced capabilities of our men 
and women in uniform and those charged with 
homeland security. 
(7) Future growth in civil aviation increasingly 
will be constrained by concerns related to aviation
system safety and security, aviation system capabili-
ties, aircraft noise, emissions, and fuel consumption. 
(8) The United States is in danger of losing its 
aerospace leadership to international competitors 
aided by persistent government intervention. Many 
governments take their funding beyond basic tech-
nology development, choosing to fund product devel-
opment and often bring the product to market, even 
if the products are not fully commercially viable. 
Moreover, international competitors have recognized 
the importance of noise, emission, fuel consumption, 
and constraints of the aviation system and have es-
tablished aggressive agendas for addressing each of 
these concerns. 
(9) Efforts by the European Union, through a 
variety of means, will challenge the United States 
leadership position in aerospace. A recent report out-
lined the European Union’s goal of becoming the 
world’s leader in aviation and aeronautics by the end 
of 2020, utilizing better coordination among re-
search programs, planning, and funding to accom-
plish this goal. 
(10) Revitalization and coordination of the 
United States efforts to maintain its leadership in
aviation and aeronautics are critical and must begin 
now. 
(11) A recent report by the Commission on the 
Future of the United States Aerospace Industry out-
lined the scope of the problems confronting the aero-
space and aviation industries in the United States 
and found that—
(A) Aerospace will be at the core of Amer-
ica’s leadership and strength throughout the 
21st century; 
(B) Aerospace will play an integral role in 
our economy, our security, and our mobility; 
and 
(C) global leadership in aerospace is a na-
tional imperative. 
(12) Despite the downturn in the global econ-
omy, Federal Aviation Administration projections in-
dicate that upwards of 1 billion people will fly annu-
ally by 2013. Efforts must begin now to prepare for 
future growth in the number of airline passengers. 
(13) The United States must increase its in-
vestment in research and development to revitalize 
the aviation and aerospace industries, to create jobs, 
and to provide educational assistance and training to 
prepare workers in those industries for the future.
(14) Current and projected levels of Federal in-
vestment in aeronautics research and development 
are not sufficient to address concerns related to the 
growth of aviation. 
TITLE I—THE OFFICE OF AERO-
SPACE AND AVIATION LIAI-
SON 
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF AEROSPACE AND AVIATION LIAISON. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Department of Transportation an Office of Aerospace 
and Aviation Liaison. 
(b) FUNCTION.—The Office shall—
(1) coordinate aviation and aeronautics re-
search programs to achieve the goal of more effec-
tive and directed programs that will result in appli-
cable research; 
(2) coordinate goals and priorities and coordi-
nate research activities within the Federal Govern-
ment with United States aviation and aeronautical 
firms; 
(3) coordinate the development and utilization 
of new technologies to ensure that when available, 
they may be used to their fullest potential in aircraft 
and in the air traffic control system;
sult with, and ensure participation by, the private sector 
(including representatives of general aviation, commercial 
aviation, and the space industry), members of the public, 
and other interested parties. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) INITIAL STATUS REPORT.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to 
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on 
the status of the establishment of the Office of Aero-
space and Aviation Liaison, including the name of 
the program manager, the list of staff from each 
participating department or agency, names of the 
national team participants, and the schedule for fu-
ture actions. 
(2) PLAN.—The Office shall submit to the Sen-
ate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation and the House of Representatives Com-
mittee on Science a plan for implementing para-
graphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) and a proposed 
budget for implementing the plan. 
(3) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Office shall submit 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, the House of Representatives Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
the House of Representatives Committee on Science 
an annual report that—
(A) contains a unified budget that com-
bines the budgets of each program coordinated 
by the Office; and 
(B) describes the coordination activities of 
the Office during the preceding year. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation $2,000,000 for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 
to carry out this section, such sums to remain available 
until expended. 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Federal Aviation Administration a National Air Traf-
fic Management System Development Office, the head of 
which shall report directly to the Administrator. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT
OF NEXT GENERATION AIR 
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Office shall develop a 
next generation air traffic management system plan 
for the United States that will—
(A) transform the national airspace system 
to meet air transportation mobility, efficiency, 
and capacity needs beyond those currently in-
cluded in the Federal Aviation Administration’s 
operational evolution plan; 
(B) result in a national airspace system 
that can safely and efficiently accommodate the 
needs of all users; 
(C) build upon current air traffic manage-
ment and infrastructure initiatives; 
(D) improve the security, safety, quality, 
and affordability of aviation services; 
(E) utilize a system-of-systems, multi-
agency approach to leverage investments in civil 
aviation, homeland security, and national secu-
rity; 
(F) develop a highly integrated, secure ar-
chitecture to enable common situational aware-
ness for all appropriate system users; and 
(G) ensure seamless global operations for 
system users, to the maximum extent possible. 
(2) MULTI-AGENCY
AND
STAKEHOLDER
IN-
VOLVEMENT.—In developing the system, the Office 
shall—
(A) include staff from the Federal Aviation 
Administration, the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, the Department of 
Homeland Security, the Department of De-
fense, the Department of Commerce, and other 
Federal agencies and departments determined 
by the Secretary of Transportation to have an 
important interest in, or responsibility for, 
other aspects of the system; and 
(B) consult with, and ensure participation 
by, the private sector (including representatives 
of general aviation, commercial aviation, and 
the space industry), members of the public, and 
other interested parties. 
(3) DEVELOPMENT
CRITERIA
AND
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—In developing the next generation air traf-
fic management system plan under paragraph (1), 
the Office shall—
(A) develop system performance require-
ments; 
(B) select an operational concept to meet 
system performance requirements for all system 
users; 
(C) ensure integration of civil and military 
system requirements, balancing safety, security,
and efficiency, in order to leverage Federal 
funding; 
(D) utilize modeling, simulation, and ana-
lytical tools to quantify and validate system per-
formance and benefits; 
(E) develop a transition plan, including 
necessary regulatory aspects, that ensures oper-
ational achievability for system operators; 
(F) develop transition requirements for on-
going modernization programs, if necessary; 
(G) develop a schedule for aircraft equip-
ment implementation and appropriate benefits 
and incentives to make that schedule achiev-
able; and 
(H) assess, as part of its function within 
the Office of Aeronautical and Aviation Liaison, 
the technical readiness of appropriate research 
technological advances for integration of such 
research and advances into the plan. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration $300,000,000 for the 
period beginning with fiscal year 2004 and ending with 
fiscal year 2010 to carry out this section.
SEC. 103. REPORT ON CERTAIN MARKET DEVELOPMENTS 
AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES. 
Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Department of Transportation’s Office of Aero-
space and Aviation liaison, in cooperation with appropriate 
Federal agencies, shall submit to the Senate Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the House of 
Representatives Committee on Science, and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure a report about market developments and govern-
ment policies influencing the competitiveness of the United 
States jet transport aircraft industry that—
(1) describes the structural characteristics of 
the United States and the European Union jet 
transport industries, and the markets for these in-
dustries; 
(2) examines the global market factors affecting 
the jet transport industries in the United States and 
the European Union, such as passenger and freight 
airline purchasing patterns, the rise of low-cost car-
riers and point-to-point service, the evolution of new 
market niches, and direct and indirect operating cost 
trends; 
(3) reviews government regulations in the 
United States and the European Union that have al-
tered the competitive landscape for jet transport air-
craft, such as airline deregulation, certification and 
safety regulations, noise and emissions regulations, 
government research and development programs, ad-
vances in air traffic control and other infrastructure 
issues, corporate and air travel tax issues, and in-
dustry consolidation strategies; 
(4) analyzes how changes in the global market 
and government regulations have affected the com-
petitive position of the United States aerospace and 
aviation industry vis-a`-vis the European Union aero-
space and aviation industry; and 
(5) describes any other significant developments 
that affect the market for jet transport aircraft. 
TITLE II—TECHNICAL 
PROGRAMS 
SEC. 201. AEROSPACE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
establish a joint program of competitive, merit-based, 
multi-year grants for eligible applicants to increase the 
number of students studying toward and completing tech-
nical training programs, certificate programs, and associ-
ate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees in fields 
related to aerospace.
(b) INCREASED PARTICIPATION GOAL.—In selecting 
projects under this paragraph, the Director shall strive to 
increase the number of students studying toward and com-
pleting technical training and apprenticeship programs, 
certificate programs, and associate’s or bachelor’s degrees 
in fields related to aerospace who are individuals identified 
in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b). 
(c) SUPPORTABLE PROJECTS.—The types of projects 
the Administrators may support under this paragraph in-
clude those that promote high quality—
(1) interdisciplinary teaching; 
(2) undergraduate-conducted research; 
(3) mentor relationships for students; 
(4) graduate programs; 
(5) bridge programs that enable students at 
community colleges to matriculate directly into bac-
calaureate aerospace related programs; 
(6) internships, including mentoring programs, 
carried out in partnership with the aerospace and 
aviation industry; 
(7) technical training and apprenticeship that 
prepares students for careers in aerospace manufac-
turing or operations; and
(8) innovative uses of digital technologies, par-
ticularly at institutions of higher education that 
serve high numbers or percentages of economically 
disadvantaged students. 
(d) 50 PERCENT FEDERAL SHARE.—Not less than 
50 percent of the publicly financed costs associated with 
eligible activities shall come from non-Federal sources. 
Matching contributions may not be derived, directly or in-
directly, from Federal funds. The Administrators shall en-
deavor to minimize the Federal share, taking into account 
the differences in fiscal capacity of eligible applicants. 
(e) GRANTEE REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) TARGETS.—In order to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible applicant shall estab-
lish targets to increase the number of students 
studying toward and completing technical training 
and apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, 
and associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in fields related 
to aerospace. 
(2) GRANT PERIOD.—A grant under this sec-
tion shall be awarded for a period of 5 years, with 
the final 2 years of funding contingent on the Direc-
tor’s determination that satisfactory progress has 
been made by the grantee toward meeting the tar-
gets established under paragraph (1).
(3) COMMUNITY COLLEGE RULE.—In the case 
of community colleges, a student who transfers to a 
baccalaureate program, or receives a certificate 
under an established certificate program, in science, 
mathematics, engineering, or technology shall be 
counted toward meeting a target established under 
paragraph (1). 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT DEFINED.—The term 
‘‘eligible applicant’’ means—
(A) an institution of higher education; 
(B) a consortium of institutions of higher 
education; or 
(C) a partnership between—
(i) an institution of higher education 
or a consortium of such institutions; and 
(ii) a nonprofit organization, a State 
or local government, or a private company, 
with demonstrated experience and effec-
tiveness in aerospace education. 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given that term by subsection (a) of section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)), and includes an institution de-
scribed in subsection (b) of that section. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) NASA.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration $5,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2004 and $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 
to carry out this section, such sums to remain avail-
able until expended. 
(2) FAA.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and 
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 to carry out this 
section, such sums to remain available until ex-
pended. 
SEC. 202. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may 
provide loans of up to $5,000 per year to fulltime students 
enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate program 
leading to an advanced degree in an aerospace related field 
of endeavor.
(b) LIMITATION.—An individual may not receive a 
loan under subsection (a) for more than 5 different years 
of study. 
(c) FORGIVENESS FOR SERVICE.—The Administra-
tors may forgive the repayment of principal and interest 
on any loan made under subsection (a) to an individual 
at the rate of 1 year’s loan forgiveness for each 12-month 
period of service by that individual as a United States gov-
ernment employee in an aerospace related field of employ-
ment commencing after that individual completes the 
graduate program for which the loan was made. 
(d) INTERNSHIPS.—The Administrators may provide 
temporary internships to recipients of loans under sub-
section (a), but any period of service as such an intern 
shall not be taken into account for purposes of subsection 
(c). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) NASA.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration $7,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2004 and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
2005 to carry out this section, such sums to remain 
available until expended. 
(2) FAA.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and 
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 to carry out this 
section, such sums to remain available until ex-
pended. 
TITLE III—FAA RESEARCH, ENGI-
NEERING, 
AND 
DEVELOP-
MENT 
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AMOUNTS AUTHORIZED.—Section 48102(a) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(7); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (8) and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) for fiscal year 2004, $289,000,000, includ-
ing—
‘‘(A) $200,000,000 to improve aviation 
safety, including icing, crashworthiness, and 
aging aircraft; 
‘‘(B) $18,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of the air traffic control system; 
‘‘(C) $27,000,000 to reduce the environ-
mental impact of aviation;
‘‘(D) $16,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of mission support; and 
‘‘(E) $28,000,000 to improve the dura-
bility and maintainability of advanced material 
structures in transport airframe structures; 
‘‘(10) for fiscal year 2005, $304,000,000, in-
cluding—
‘‘(A) $211,000,000 to improve aviation 
safety; 
‘‘(B) $19,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of the air traffic control system; 
‘‘(C) $28,000,000 to reduce the environ-
mental impact of aviation; 
‘‘(D) $17,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of mission support; and 
‘‘(E) $29,000,000 to improve the dura-
bility and maintainability of advanced material 
structures in transport airframe structures; and 
‘‘(11) for fiscal year 2006, $317,000,000, in-
cluding—
‘‘(A) $220,000,000 to improve aviation 
safety; 
‘‘(B) $20,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of the air traffic control system;
‘‘(C) $29,000,000 to reduce the environ-
mental impact of aviation; 
‘‘(D) $18,000,000 to improve the efficiency 
of mission support; and 
‘‘(E) $30,000,000 to improve the dura-
bility and maintainability of advanced material 
structures in transport airframe structures.’’. 
SEC. 302. RESEARCH PROGRAM TO IMPROVE AIRFIELD 
PAVEMENTS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall continue the program to consider awards to 
nonprofit concrete and asphalt pavement research founda-
tions to improve the design, construction, rehabilitation, 
and repair of rigid concrete airfield pavements to aid in 
the development of safer, more cost-effective, and more 
durable airfield pavements. The Administrator may use 
grants or cooperative agreements in carrying out this sec-
tion. Nothing in this section requires the Administrator 
to prioritize an airfield pavement research program above 
safety, security, Flight 21, environment, or energy re-
search programs. 
SEC. 303. ENSURING APPROPRIATE STANDARDS FOR AIR-
FIELD PAVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall review and determine
whether the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards 
used to determine the appropriate thickness for asphalt 
and concrete airfield pavements are in accordance with the 
Federal Aviation Administration’s standard 20-year-life 
requirement using the most up-to-date available informa-
tion on the life of airfield pavements. If the Administrator 
determines that such standards are not in accordance with 
that requirement, the Administrator shall make appro-
priate adjustments to the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion’s standards for airfield pavements. 
(b) REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall report the results 
of the review conducted under subsection (a) and the ad-
justments, if any, made on the basis of that review to the 
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and the House of Representatives Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure. 
SEC. 304. ASSESSMENT OF WAKE TURBULENCE RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Research Council for an assessment of 
the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed wake tur-
bulence research and development program. The assess-
ment shall include—
(1) an evaluation of the research and develop-
ment goals and objectives of the program; 
(2) a listing of any additional research and de-
velopment objectives that should be included in the 
program; 
(3) any modifications that will be necessary for 
the program to achieve the program’s goals and ob-
jectives on schedule and within the proposed level of 
resources; and 
(4) an evaluation of the roles, if any, that 
should be played by other Federal agencies, such as 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration, in wake turbulence research and develop-
ment, and how those efforts could be coordinated. 
(b) REPORT.—A report containing the results of the 
assessment shall be provided to the Committee on Science 
of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration $500,000 for fiscal 
year 2004 to carry out this section.
SEC. 305. CABIN AIR QUALITY RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
In accordance with the recommendation of the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences in its report entitled ‘‘The Air-
liner Cabin Environment and the Health of Passengers 
and Crew’’, the Federal Aviation Administration shall es-
tablish a research program to address questions about im-
proving cabin air quality of aircraft, including methods to 
limit airborne diseases. 
SEC. 306. INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF THE FAA. 
Section 40101(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) Exercising leadership with the Administra-
tor’s foreign counterparts, in the International Civil 
Aviation Organization and its subsidiary organiza-
tions, and other international organizations and 
fora, and with the private sector to promote and 
achieve global improvements in the safety, efficiency, 
and environmental effect of air travel.’’. 
SEC. 307. FAA REPORT ON OTHER NATIONS’ SAFETY AND 
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall review aviation and aeronautical safety, and 
research funding and technological actions in other coun-
tries. The Administrator shall submit a report to the Com-
mittee on Science of the House of Representatives and to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, together with any recommendations as to 
how such activities might be utilized in the United States. 
SEC. 308. DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL TOOLS AND CER-
TIFICATION METHODS. 
The Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct 
research to promote the development of analytical tools to 
improve existing certification methods and to reduce the 
overall costs for the certification of new products. 
SEC. 309. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR 
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration may conduct a limited pilot pro-
gram to provide operating incentives to users of the air-
space for the deployment of new technologies, including 
technologies to facilitate expedited flight routing and se-
quencing of take-offs and landings. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$500,000 for fiscal year 2004. 
SEC. 310. FAA CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE FOR APPLIED RE-
SEARCH AND TRAINING IN THE USE OF AD-
VANCED MATERIALS IN TRANSPORT AIR-
CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall develop a Center for Excel-
lence focused on applied research and training on the du-
rability and maintainability of advanced materials in 
transport airframe structures, including the use of poly-
meric composites in large transport aircraft. The Center 
shall—
(1) promote and facilitate collaboration among 
academia, the Federal Aviation Administration’s 
Transportation Division, and the commercial aircraft 
industry, including manufacturers, commercial air 
carriers, and suppliers; and 
(2) establish goals set to advance technology, 
improve engineering practices, and facilitate con-
tinuing education in relevant areas of study. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$500,000 for fiscal year 2004 to carry out this section. 
SEC. 311. FAA CERTIFICATION OF DESIGN ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) GENERAL
AUTHORITY
TO
ISSUE
CERTIFI-
CATES.—Section 44702(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘de-
sign organization certificates,’’ after ‘‘airman certifi-
cates,’’. 
(b) DESIGN ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 44704 is amended—
(A) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following:
‘‘§ 44704. Design organization certificates, type cer-
tificates, production certificate, and air-
worthiness certificates’’; 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
subsections 
(a) 
through (d) as subsections (b) through (e); 
(C) by inserting before subsection (b) the 
following: 
‘‘(a) DESIGN ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATES.—
‘‘(1) PLAN.—Within 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Second Century of Flight Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion shall submit a plan to the Senate Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
House of Representatives Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure for the development and 
oversight of a system for certification of design orga-
nizations under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION
OF
PLAN.—Within 5 
years after the date of enactment of the Second Cen-
tury of Flight Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration may commence the issuance 
of design organization certificates under paragraph 
(3) to authorize design organizations to certify com-
pliance with the requirements and minimum stand-
ards prescribed under section 44701(a) for the type
certification of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, 
or appliances. 
‘‘(3) ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.—On receiv-
ing an application for a design organization certifi-
cate, the Administrator shall examine and rate the 
design organization in accordance with the regula-
tions prescribed by the Administrator to determine 
that the design organization has adequate engineer-
ing, design, and testing capabilities, standards, and 
safeguards to ensure that the product being certifi-
cated is properly designed and manufactured, per-
forms properly, and meets the regulations and min-
imum standards prescribed under that section. The 
Administrator shall include in a design organization 
certificate terms required in the interest of safety.’’; 
(D) by striking subsection (b), as redesig-
nated, and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) TYPE CERTIFICATES.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator may 
issue a type certificate for an aircraft, aircraft en-
gine, or propeller, or for an appliance specified 
under paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection—
‘‘(A) when the Administrator finds that 
the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller, or ap-
pliance is properly designed and manufactured,
performs properly, and meets the regulations 
and minimum standards prescribed under sec-
tion 44701(a) of this title; or 
‘‘(B) based on a certification of compliance 
made by a design organization certificated 
under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) INVESTIGATION
AND
HEARING.—On re-
ceiving an application for a type certificate not ac-
companied by a certification of compliance made by 
a design organization certificated under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall investigate the applica-
tion and may conduct a hearing. The Administrator 
shall make, or require the applicant to make, tests 
the Administrator considers necessary in the interest 
of safety.’’. 
(c) REINSPECTION AND REEXAMINATION.—Section 
44709(a) is amended by inserting ‘‘design organization, 
production certificate holder,’’ after ‘‘appliance,’’. 
(d) PROHIBITIONS.—Section 44711(a)(7) is amended 
by striking ‘‘agency’’ and inserting ‘‘agency, design orga-
nization certificate,’’. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) CHAPTER ANALYSIS.—The chapter analysis 
for chapter 447 is amended by striking the item re-
lating to section 44704 and inserting the following:
‘‘44704. Design organization certificates, type certificates, production cer-
tificate, and airworthiness certificates.’’.
(2) CROSS REFERENCE.—Section 44715(a)(3) 
is amended by striking ‘‘44704(a)’’ and inserting 
‘‘44704(b)’’. 
SEC. 312. REPORT ON LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL IM-
PROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Adminis-
trator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion and the head of the Department of Transportation’s 
Office of Aerospace and Aviation Liaison, shall conduct 
a study of ways to reduce aircraft noise and emissions and 
to increase aircraft fuel efficiency. The study shall—
(1) explore new operational procedures for air-
craft to achieve those goals; 
(2) identify both near term and long term op-
tions to achieve those goals; 
(3) identify infrastructure changes that would 
contribute to attainment of those goals; 
(4) identify emerging technologies that might 
contribute to attainment of those goals; 
(5) develop a research plan for application of 
such 
emerging 
technologies, 
including 
new 
combuster and engine design concepts and meth-
odologies for designing high bypass ratio turbofan
engines so as to minimize the effects on climate 
change per unit of production of thrust and flight 
speed; and 
(6) develop an implementation plan for exploit-
ing such emerging technologies to attain those goals. 
(b) REPORT.—The Administrator shall transmit a re-
port on the study to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Represent-
atives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration $500,000 for fiscal 
year 2004 to carry out this section. 
TITLE 
IV—NASA 
RESEARCH, 
EDUCATION, AND DEVELOP-
MENT
SEC. 401. NASA AERONAUTICS RESEARCH PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration shall trans-
mit an aeronautics research and development plan to the 
Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House 
of Representatives setting forth the research goals and