174 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 340. STUDY ON FAA USE OF MANDATORY EQUAL AC-
CESS TO JUSTICE ACT WAIVERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall con-
duct a study on the use of waivers of rights by the Adminis-
trator that may arise under section 504 of title 5, United 
States Code, or section 2412 of title 28, United States Code, 
as a condition for the settlement of any proceedings to 
amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate 
or to impose a civil penalty on a flight engineer, mechanic, 
pilot, or repairman (or an individual acting in the capac-
ity of such engineer, mechanic, pilot, or repairman). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consider— 
(1) the frequency of the use of waivers by the Ad-
ministrator described in this section; 
(2) the benefits and consequences of the use of 
such waivers to both the Administrator and the cer-
tificate holder; and 
(3) the effects of a prohibition on using such 
waivers. 
(c) COOPERATION WITH STUDY.—The Administrator 
shall cooperate with any requests for information by Comp-
troller General to complete the study required under sub-
section (a). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
175 
† HR 3935 EAS 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a), including recommendations for any legislation and ad-
ministrative action as the Comptroller General determines 
appropriate. 
SEC. 341. AIRPORT AIR SAFETY. 
The Administrator shall seek to enter into appropriate 
arrangements with a qualified third-party entity to evalu-
ate whether poor air quality inside the Washington Dulles 
International Airport passenger terminal negatively affects 
passengers. 
SEC. 342. DON YOUNG ALASKA AVIATION SAFETY INITIA-
TIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall redesignate the FAA Alaska 
Aviation Safety Initiative of the Administration as the Don 
Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Initiative’), under which the Administrator 
shall carry out the provisions of this section and take such 
other actions as the Administrator determines appropriate 
to improve aviation safety in Alaska and covered locations.
176 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Initiative shall 
be to work cooperatively with aviation stakeholders and 
other stakeholders towards the goal of— 
‘‘(1) reducing the rate of fatal aircraft accidents 
in Alaska and covered locations by 90 percent from 
2019 to 2033; and 
‘‘(2) by January 1, 2033, eliminating fatal acci-
dents of aircraft operated by an air carrier that oper-
ates under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations. 
‘‘(c) LEADERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall des-
ignate the Regional Administrator for the Alaskan 
Region of the Administration to serve as the Director 
of the Initiative. 
‘‘(2) COVERED LOCATIONS.—The Administrator 
shall select a designee within the Aviation Safety Or-
ganization to implement relevant requirements of this 
section in covered locations. 
‘‘(3) REPORTING CHAIN.—In all matters relating 
to the Initiative, the Director of the Initiative shall 
report directly to the Administrator. 
‘‘(4) COORDINATION.—The Director of the Initia-
tive shall coordinate with the heads of other offices 
and lines of business of the Administration, including
177 
† HR 3935 EAS 
the other regional administrators, to carry out the 
Initiative. 
‘‘(d) AUTOMATED WEATHER SYSTEMS.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.—The Administrator shall 
ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that a cov-
ered automated weather system is installed and oper-
ated at each covered airport not later than December 
31, 2030. 
‘‘(2) WAIVER.—In complying with the require-
ment under paragraph (1), the Administrator may 
waive any positive benefit-cost ratio requirement for 
the installation and operation of a covered automated 
weather system. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITIZATION.—In developing the instal-
lation timeline of a covered automated weather system 
at a covered airport pursuant to this subsection, the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate and consult with the gov-
ernments with jurisdiction over Alaska and cov-
ered locations, covered airports, air carriers op-
erating in Alaska or covered locations, private 
pilots based in Alaska or a covered location, and 
such other members of the aviation community 
in Alaska or covered locations; and
178 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) prioritize early installation at covered 
airports that would enable the greatest number of 
instrument flight rule operations by air carriers 
operating under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(4) RELIABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Pertaining to both Fed-
eral and non-Federal systems in Alaska, the Ad-
ministrator shall be responsible for ensuring— 
‘‘(i) the reliability of covered auto-
mated weather systems; and 
‘‘(ii) the availability of weather infor-
mation from such systems. 
‘‘(B) SPECIFICATIONS.—The Administrator 
shall establish data availability and equipment 
reliability specifications for covered automated 
weather systems. 
‘‘(C) SYSTEM RELIABILITY AND RESTORA-
TION PLAN.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Adminis-
trator shall establish an automated weather sys-
tem reliability and restoration plan for Alaska. 
Such plan shall document the Administrator’s 
strategy for ensuring covered automated weather 
system reliability, including the availability of
179 
† HR 3935 EAS 
weather information from such system, and for 
restoring service in as little time as possible. 
‘‘(D) TELECOMMUNICATIONS
OR
OTHER 
FAILURES.—If a covered automated weather sys-
tem in Alaska is unable to broadly disseminate 
weather information due to a telecommuni-
cations failure or a failure other than an equip-
ment failure, the Administrator shall take such 
actions as may be necessary to restore the full 
functionality and connectivity of the covered 
automated weather system. The Administrator 
shall take actions under this subparagraph with 
the same urgency as the Administrator would 
take an action to repair a covered automated 
weather system equipment failure or data fidel-
ity issue. 
‘‘(E) RELIABILITY
DATA.—In tabulating 
data relating to the operational status of covered 
automated weather systems (including individ-
ually or collectively), the Administrator may not 
consider a covered automated weather system 
that is functioning nominally but is unable to 
broadly disseminate weather information tele-
communications failure or a failure other than 
an equipment failure as functioning reliably.
180 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(5) INVENTORY.— 
‘‘(A) MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Ad-
ministrator shall identify and implement 
reasonable alternative actions to improve 
maintenance of FAA-owned weather observ-
ing systems that experience frequent service 
outages, including associated surface com-
munication outages, at covered airports. 
‘‘(ii) SPARE
PARTS
AVAILABILITY.— 
The actions identified by the Administrator 
in clause (i) shall improve spare parts 
availability, including consideration of stor-
age of more spare parts in the region in 
which the systems are located. 
‘‘(B) NOTICE OF OUTAGES.—Not later than 
18 months after the date of enactment of the 
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Adminis-
trator shall update FAA Order 7930.2 Notices to 
Air Missions, or any successive order, to incor-
porate weather system outages for automated 
weather observing systems and automated surface
181 
† HR 3935 EAS 
observing systems associated with Service A Out-
ages at covered airports. 
‘‘(6) VISUAL WEATHER OBSERVATION SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) DEPLOYMENT.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2024, the Administrator shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to— 
‘‘(i) deploy visual weather observation 
systems; 
‘‘(ii) ensure that such systems are ca-
pable of meeting the definition of a covered 
automated weather system in Alaska; and 
‘‘(iii) develop standard operation spec-
ifications for visual weather operation sys-
tems. 
‘‘(B) MODIFICATION OF SPECIFICATIONS.— 
Upon the request of an aircraft operator, the Ad-
ministrator shall issue or modify the standard 
operation specifications for visual weather obser-
vation systems developed under subparagraph 
(A) to allow such systems to be used to satisfy 
the requirements for supplemental noncertified 
local weather observations under section 322 of 
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public 
Law 115–254).
182 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(e) WEATHER CAMERAS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall continu-
ously assess the state of the weather camera systems 
in Alaska and covered locations to ensure the oper-
ational sufficiency and reliability of such systems. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATIONS.—The Director shall— 
‘‘(A) accept applications from persons to in-
stall weather cameras; and 
‘‘(B) consult with the governments with ju-
risdiction over Alaska and covered locations, cov-
ered airports, air carriers operating in Alaska or 
covered locations, private pilots based in Alaska 
or covered locations, and such other members of 
the aviation community in Alaska and covered 
locations as the Administrator determines appro-
priate to solicit additional locations at which to 
install and operate weather cameras. 
‘‘(3) PRESUMPTION.—Unless the Director has 
clear and compelling evidence to the contrary, the Di-
rector shall presume that the installation of a weather 
camera at a covered airport in Alaska, or that is rec-
ommended by a government with jurisdiction over a 
covered location, is cost beneficial and will improve 
aviation safety.
183 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(f) COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.—In car-
rying out this section, the Administrator shall cooperate 
with the heads of other Federal or State agencies with re-
sponsibilities affecting aviation safety in Alaska and cov-
ered locations, including the collection and dissemination 
of weather data. 
‘‘(g) SURVEILLANCE AND COMMUNICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall take such 
actions as may be necessary to— 
‘‘(A) encourage and incentivize the equipage 
of aircraft that operate under part 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, with automatic 
dependent surveillance and broadcast out equip-
ment; and 
‘‘(B) improve aviation surveillance and 
communications in Alaska and covered locations. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than December 
31, 2030, the Administrator shall ensure that auto-
matic dependent surveillance and broadcast coverage 
is available at 5,000 feet above ground level through-
out each covered location and Alaska. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Administrator shall waive 
any positive benefit-cost ratio requirement for—
184 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(A) the installation and operation of 
equipment and facilities necessary to implement 
the requirement under paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) the provision of additional ground- 
based transmitters for automatic dependent sur-
veillance-broadcasts to provide a minimum oper-
ational network in Alaska along major flight 
routes. 
‘‘(4) SERVICE AREAS.—The Director shall con-
tinuously identify additional automatic dependent 
surveillance–broadcast service areas in which the de-
ployment of automatic dependent surveillance–broad-
cast receivers and equipment would improve aviation 
safety. 
‘‘(h) OTHER PROJECTS.—The Director shall continue 
to build upon other initiatives recommended in the reports 
of the FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative of the Admin-
istration published before the date of enactment of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(i) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date that 
is 1 year after the date of enactment of the FAA Re-
authorization Act of 2024, and annually thereafter, 
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
185 
† HR 3935 EAS 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
the Initiative, including an itemized description of 
how the Administration budget meets the goals of the 
Initiative. 
‘‘(2) STAKEHOLDER
COMMENTS.—The Director 
shall append stakeholder comments, organized by 
topic, to each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
in the same manner as appendix 3 of the report titled 
‘FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative FY21 Final 
Report’, dated September 30, 2021. 
‘‘(j) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 
2028— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator may, upon applica-
tion from the government with jurisdiction over 
a covered airport and in coordination with the 
State or territory in which a covered airport is 
located, use amounts apportioned under sub-
section (d)(2)(B) or subsection (e) of section 
47114 to carry out the Initiative; or 
‘‘(B) the sponsor of a covered airport that 
receives an apportionment under subsection 
(d)(2)(A) or subsection (e) of section 47114 may
186 
† HR 3935 EAS 
use such apportionment for any purpose con-
tained in this section. 
‘‘(2) SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.—Out of amounts 
made available under section 106(k) and section 
48101, not more than a total of $25,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 is authorized to be 
expended to carry out the Initiative. 
‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED AIRPORT.—The term ‘covered air-
port’ means an airport in Alaska or a covered loca-
tion that is included in the national plan of inte-
grated airport systems required under section 47103 
and that has a status other than unclassified in such 
plan. 
‘‘(2) COVERED AUTOMATED WEATHER SYSTEM.— 
The term ‘covered automated weather system’ means 
an automated or visual weather reporting facility 
that enables a pilot to begin an instrument procedure 
approach to an airport under section 91.1039 or 
135.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(3) COVERED LOCATION.—The term ‘covered lo-
cation’ means Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American 
Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
the Virgin Islands.
187 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(l) CONFORMITY.—The Administrator shall conduct 
all activities required under this section in conformity with 
section 44720.’’. 
(b) REMOTE POSITIONS.—Section 40122(g) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(7) REMOTE POSITIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the Administrator 
determines that a covered position has not been 
filled after multiple vacancy announcements and 
that there are unique circumstances affecting the 
ability of the Administrator to fill such position, 
the Administrator may consider, in consultation 
with the appropriate labor union, applicants for 
the covered position who apply under a vacancy 
announcement recruiting from the State or terri-
tory in which the position is based. 
‘‘(B) COVERED POSITION DEFINED.—In this 
paragraph, the term ‘covered position’ means a 
safety-critical position, to include personnel lo-
cated at contract towers, based in Alaska, Ha-
waii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Is-
lands.’’. 
(c) GAO STUDY ON ALASKA AVIATION SAFETY.—
188 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall con-
duct a study to— 
(A) examine the effectiveness of the Don 
Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative to im-
prove aviation safety, service, and infrastructure; 
and 
(B) identify challenges within the FAA to 
accomplishing safety improvements carried out 
under such Initiative. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report containing— 
(A) the findings of the study under para-
graph (1); and 
(B) recommendations for such legislative or 
administrative action as the Comptroller General 
determines appropriate. 
(d) RUNWAY LENGTH.—The Administrator— 
(1) may not restrict funding made available 
under chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, 
from being used at an airport in Alaska to rehabili-
tate, resurface, or reconstruct the full length and 
width of an existing runway within Alaska based
189 
† HR 3935 EAS 
solely on reduced current or forecasted aeronautical 
activity levels or critical design type standards; 
(2) may not reject requests for runway projects 
at airports in Alaska if such projects address critical 
community needs, including projects— 
(A) that support economic development by 
expanding a runway to meet new demands; or 
(B) that preserve the length of runways used 
by aircraft to deliver necessary cargo, including 
heating fuel and gasoline, for the community 
served by the airport; and 
(3) shall, not later than 60 days after receiving 
a request for a runway rehabilitation or reconstruc-
tion project at an airport in Alaska, review each such 
request on a case-by-case basis. 
(e) 
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
NTSB 
RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall take such actions as may be necessary to imple-
ment National Transportation Safety Board rec-
ommendations A–22–25 and A–22–26 (as contained 
in Aviation Investigation Report AIR–22–09, adopted 
November 16, 2022).
190 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) COORDINATION.—In taking actions under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall coordinate 
with the State of Alaska, airports in Alaska, air car-
riers operating in Alaska, private pilots (including 
tour operators) based in Alaska, and such other mem-
bers of the Alaska aviation community or other stake-
holders as the Administrator determines appropriate. 
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.’’. 
SEC. 343. ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44704(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) SUBMISSION OF DATA.—When an applicant 
submits design data to the Administrator for a find-
ing of compliance as part of an application for a 
type certificate, the applicant shall certify to the Ad-
ministrator that— 
‘‘(A) the submitted design data dem-
onstrates compliance with the applicable air-
worthiness standards; and 
‘‘(B) any airworthiness standards not com-
plied with are compensated for by factors that 
provide an equivalent level of safety, as agreed 
upon by the Administrator.’’.
191 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
briefing on the implementation of the certification require-
ment added by the amendment made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 344. CHANGED PRODUCT RULE REFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise section 21.101 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to achieve the fol-
lowing objectives: 
(1) For any significant design change, as deter-
mined by the Administrator, to require that the ex-
ception related to impracticality under subsection 
(b)(3) of such section from the requirement to comply 
with the latest amendments of the applicable air-
worthiness standards in effect on the date of applica-
tion for the change be approved only after providing 
public notice and opportunity to comment on such ex-
ception. 
(2) To ensure appropriate documentation of any 
exception or exemption from airworthiness require-
ments in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
effect on the date of application for the change.
192 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
briefing on the implementation by the FAA of the rec-
ommendations of the Changed Product Rule International 
Authorities Working Group, established for purposes of car-
rying out the requirements of section 117 of the Aircraft 
Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 
44704 note), including recommendations on harmonized 
changes and reforms regarding the impractical exception. 
(c) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a 
final rule based on the notice of proposed rulemaking issued 
under subsection (a). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Beginning in 2025 and annu-
ally thereafter through 2028, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual 
report detailing the number of all significant design change 
exceptions approved and denied under paragraphs (1) 
through (3) of section 21.101(b) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
SEC. 345. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL PEN-
ALTIES. 
Section 46301(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended—
193 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) in paragraph (4) by striking subparagraph 
(A) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) the amount in controversy is more than— 
‘‘(i) $400,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by any person other than an individual 
or small business concern before the date of en-
actment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; 
‘‘(ii) $50,000 if the violation was committed 
by an individual or small business concern be-
fore the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2024; 
‘‘(iii) $1,200,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by a person other than an individual or 
small business concern on or after the date of en-
actment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; 
or 
‘‘(iv) $100,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by an individual on or after the date of 
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2024;’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(8) The maximum civil penalty the Adminis-
trator of the Transportation Security Administration,
194 
† HR 3935 EAS 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion, or Board may impose under this subsection is— 
‘‘(A) $400,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by a person other than an individual or 
small business concern before the date of enact-
ment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; 
‘‘(B) $50,000 if the violation was committed 
by an individual or small business concern be-
fore the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2024; 
‘‘(C) $1,200,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by a person other than an individual or 
small business concern on or after the date of en-
actment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024; 
or 
‘‘(D) $100,000 if the violation was com-
mitted by an individual on or after the date of 
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2024.’’. 
SEC. 346. STUDY ON AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS COMPLI-
ANCE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall seek to enter 
into an agreement with a federally funded research and de-
velopment center to conduct a study, in consultation with 
appropriate aviation safety engineers of the FAA, on the
195 
† HR 3935 EAS 
occurrences and potential consequences of a transport air-
plane design found to not comply with applicable air-
worthiness standards. 
(b) SCOPE.—In conducting the study pursuant to sub-
section (a), the federally funded research and development 
center shall identify each final airworthiness directive 
issued by the FAA or another civil aviation authority— 
(1) applicable to transport airplanes during the 
10-year period prior to the date of enactment of this 
Act; and 
(2) to address an unsafe condition resulting from 
an approved design that was noncompliant with an 
applicable airworthiness standard. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—For each such airworthiness di-
rective identified under subsection (b), the federally funded 
research and development center shall examine— 
(1) the airworthiness standard with which the 
transport airplane failed to comply; 
(2) the resulting unsafe condition and whether 
such condition resulted in an accident; 
(3) the methods by which the noncompliance was 
discovered and brought to the attention of the FAA or 
another civil aviation authority, to the extent such 
methods can be identified;
196 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) an analysis of the method used by the appli-
cant to show compliance during the certification proc-
ess and whether other compliance methods may have 
reasonably identified the noncompliance during the 
certification process; 
(5) the date of approval of the relevant type de-
sign and the date of issuance of the airworthiness di-
rective; 
(6) any corrective action mandated to address 
the identified unsafe condition; 
(7) the period of time specified for the incorpora-
tion of the corrective action, during which the affected 
transport airplanes were allowed to operate before the 
unsafe condition was corrected; and 
(8) the total cost of compliance estimated in the 
final rule adopting the airworthiness directive. 
(d) COORDINATION.—In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the federally funded research and develop-
ment center shall coordinate with, and solicit comments 
from— 
(1) transport category aircraft manufacturers; 
and 
(2) employees of the Administration, including 
the official bargaining representative of aircraft cer-
tification services engineers and of aviation safety en-
197 
† HR 3935 EAS 
gineers under section 7111 of title 5, United States 
Code, involved in developing airworthiness directives, 
as necessary. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
report that includes— 
(1) the results of the study conducted under sub-
section (a); 
(2) actions the Administrator determines nec-
essary to improve safety as a result of the findings 
under subsection (a) and any root causes of an unsafe 
condition that were identified; 
(3) the comments solicited under subsection (d); 
and 
(4) any other recommendations for legislative or 
administrative action determined appropriate by the 
Administrator. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER; FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The 
terms ‘‘air carrier’’ and ‘‘foreign air carrier’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) TRANSPORT AIRPLANE.—The term ‘‘transport 
airplane’’ means a transport category airplane de-
198 
† HR 3935 EAS 
signed for operation by an air carrier or foreign air 
carrier type-certificated with a passenger seating ca-
pacity of 30 or more or an all-cargo or combi deriva-
tive. 
SEC. 347. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR NEAR MISSES, RUNWAY IN-
CURSIONS, AND SURFACE SAFETY RISKS. 
(a) POLICY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 47101(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(2) 
through (13) as paragraphs (3) through (14), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) that projects, activities, and actions that 
prevent runway incursions serve to— 
‘‘(A) improve airport surface surveillance; 
and 
‘‘(B) mitigate surface safety risks that are 
essential to ensuring the safe operation of the 
airport and airway system;’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 47101 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (g) by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)(5)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(6)’’; and
199 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) in subsection (h) by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)(6)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(7)’’. 
(3) CONTINUOUS EVALUATION.—In carrying out 
section 47101(a) of title 49, United States Code, as 
amended by this subsection, the Administrator shall 
establish a process to continuously track and evaluate 
ground traffic and air traffic activity and related in-
cidents at airports. 
(b) RUNWAY SAFETY COUNCIL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall establish a council, to be known as the ‘‘Runway 
Safety Council’’ (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Council’’), to develop a systematic management 
strategy to address airport surface safety risks. 
(2) DUTIES.—The duties of the Council shall in-
clude, at a minimum, advancing the development of 
risk-based, data driven, integrated systems solutions 
and strategies to enhance airport surface safety risk 
mitigation. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—In establishing the 
Council, the Administrator shall appoint at least 
1 member from each of the following: 
(i) Airport operators.
200 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) Air carriers. 
(iii) Aircraft operators. 
(iv) Avionics manufacturers. 
(v) Flight schools. 
(vi) The exclusive collective bargaining 
representative of aviation safety profes-
sionals for the FAA certified under section 
7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
(vii) The exclusive bargaining rep-
resentative of the air traffic controllers cer-
tified under section 7111 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(viii) Other safety experts the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate. 
(B) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.—The Adminis-
trator may appoint members representing any 
other stakeholder organization that the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate to the Runway 
Safety Council. 
(c) AIRPORT SURFACE SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall, in coordination with the Council, consult 
with relevant stakeholders to identify technologies, 
equipment, systems, and process changes, that—
201 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) may provide airport surface surveil-
lance capabilities at airports lacking such capa-
bilities; 
(B) may augment existing airport surface 
detection and surveillance system; or 
(C) may improve onboard situational 
awareness for flight crewmembers, including 
technologies for use in an aircraft that— 
(i) reduce the risk of collision on the 
runway with other aircraft or vehicles; 
(ii) calculate safe landing distances; 
and 
(iii) prompt actions to bring the air-
craft to a safe stop. 
(2) CRITERIA.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall— 
(A) based on the information obtained pur-
suant to paragraph (1)(A) and (1)(B), identify 
airport surface detection and surveillance sys-
tems that meet the standards of the FAA and 
may be able to— 
(i) provide airport surface surveillance 
capabilities at airports lacking such capa-
bilities; or
202 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) augment existing airport surface 
detection and surveillance systems, such as 
Airport Surface Detection System—Model 
X or the Airport Surface Surveillance Ca-
pability; 
(B) establish a timeline and action plan for 
replacing, maintaining, or enhancing the oper-
ational capability provided by existing airport 
surface detection and surveillance systems, and 
implementing runway safety technologies at air-
ports without airport surface detection and sur-
veillance systems, as needed, to improve runway 
safety; 
(C) based on the information obtained pur-
suant to paragraph (1)(C), identify safety tech-
nologies and systems in transport airplanes that 
meet the standards of the FAA that will— 
(i) enhance runway safety for trans-
port airplanes that lack the capabilities of 
such technologies and systems, as appro-
priate; or 
(ii) augment existing onboard situa-
tional awareness runway traffic alerting 
and runway landing safety technologies in-
stalled on transport airplanes; and
203 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(D) establish clear and quantifiable criteria 
relating to operational factors, including ground 
traffic and air traffic activity and the rate of 
runway and terminal airspace safety events (in-
cluding runway incursions), that determine 
when the installation and deployment of an air-
port surface detection or surveillance system, or 
other runway safety system (including runway 
status lights), at an airport is required. 
(3) DEPLOYMENT.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall ensure that airport surface detection and sur-
veillance systems are deployed and operational at— 
(A) all airports described in paragraph 
(2)(A); and 
(B) all medium and large hub airports. 
(4) BRIEFING.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the 
progress of the deployment described in paragraph 
(3). 
(d) FOREIGN OBJECT DEBRIS DETECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall assess, in coordination with the Council, auto-
205 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(e) RUNWAY SAFETY STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall seek to enter into appropriate arrangements 
with a federally funded research and development cen-
ter to conduct a study of runway incursions, airport 
surface incidents, operational errors, or losses of 
standard separation of aircraft in the approach or de-
parture phase of flight to determine how advanced 
technologies and future airport development projects 
may be able to reduce the frequency of such events 
and enhance aviation safety. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study 
under paragraph (1), the federally funded research 
and development center shall— 
(A) examine data relating to recurring run-
way incursions, surface incidents, operational 
errors, or losses of standard separation of air-
craft in the approach or departure phase of flight 
at airports to identify the underlying factors 
that caused such events; 
(B) assess metrics used to identify when 
such events are increasing at an airport; 
(C) assess available and developmental tech-
nologies, including and beyond such technologies
206 
† HR 3935 EAS 
considered in subsection (c), that may augment 
existing air traffic management capabilities of 
surface surveillance and terminal airspace 
equipment; 
(D) consider growth trends in airport size, 
staffing and communication complexities to 
identify— 
(i) future gaps in information ex-
change between aerospace stakeholders; and 
(ii) methods for meeting future near 
real-time information sharing needs; and 
(E) examine airfield safety training pro-
grams used by airport tenants and other stake-
holders operating on airfields of airports, includ-
ing airfield familiarization training programs 
for employees, to assess scalability to handle fu-
ture growth in airfield capacity and traffic. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In conducting the 
study required by paragraph (1), the federally funded 
research and development center shall develop rec-
ommendations for the strategic planning efforts of the 
Administration to appropriately maintain surface 
safety considering future increases in air traffic and 
based on the considerations described in paragraph 
(2).
207 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 
days after the completion of the study required by 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
findings of such study and any recommendations de-
veloped under paragraph (3). 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER; FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.—The 
terms ‘‘air carrier’’ and ‘‘foreign air carrier’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) AIRPORT SURFACE DETECTION AND SURVEIL-
LANCE SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘airport surface detection 
and surveillance system’’ means an airport surveil-
lance system that is— 
(A) designed to track surface movement of 
aircraft and vehicles; or 
(B) capable of alerting air traffic controllers 
or flight crewmembers of a possible runway in-
cursion, misaligned approach, or other safety 
event. 
(3) TRANSPORT AIRPLANE.—The term ‘‘transport 
airplane’’ means a transport category airplane de-
signed for operation by an air carrier or foreign air 
carrier jet type-certificated with a passenger seating
208 
† HR 3935 EAS 
capacity of at least 10 seats or a maximum takeoff 
weight above 12,500 pounds or an all-cargo or combi 
derivative of such an airplane. 
SEC. 348. IMPROVEMENTS TO AVIATION SAFETY INFORMA-
TION ANALYSIS AND SHARING PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall im-
plement improvements to the Aviation Safety Information 
Analysis and Sharing Program with respect to safety data 
sharing and risk mitigation. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) identify methods to increase the rate at 
which data is collected, processed, and analyzed to ex-
peditiously share safety intelligence; 
(2) develop predictive capabilities to anticipate 
emerging safety risks; 
(3) identify methods to improve shared data en-
vironments with external stakeholders; 
(4) establish a robust process for prioritizing re-
quests for safety information; 
(5) establish guidance to encourage regular safety 
inspector review of non-confidential aviation safety 
and performance data;
209 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(6) identify industry segments not yet included 
and conduct outreach to such industry segments to in-
crease the rate of participation, including— 
(A) general aviation; 
(B) air transportation and commercial 
aviation; 
(C) rotorcraft operations; 
(D) air ambulance operations; and 
(E) aviation maintenance; 
(7) establish processes for obtaining and ana-
lyzing comprehensive and aggregate data for new and 
future industry segments; and 
(8) integrate safety data from unmanned air-
craft system operators, as appropriate. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) prioritize production-ready configurable solu-
tions over custom development, as appropriate, to 
support FAA critical aviation safety programs; and 
(2) ensure that adequate market research is com-
pleted in accordance with FAA acquisition manage-
ment system requirements, including appropriate 
demonstrations of proposed solutions, as part of the 
evaluation criteria.
210 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed— 
(1) to require the Administrator to share con-
fidential or proprietary information and data to safe-
ty inspectors for purposes of enforcement; or 
(2) to limit the applicability of section 44735 of 
title 49, United States Code, to the Aviation Safety 
Information Analysis and Sharing Program. 
(e) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter until 
the improvements under subsection (a) are made, the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Con-
gress on the progress of implementation of the Aviation 
Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Program, includ-
ing— 
(1) an assessment of the progress of the FAA to-
ward achieving milestones for such program identi-
fied by the inspector general of the Department of 
Transportation and the Special Committee to Review 
FAA Aircraft Certification Reports; 
(2) a description of the plan to use appropriate 
deployable commercial solutions to assist the FAA in 
meeting such milestones; 
(3) steps taken to make improvements under sub-
section (b); and
211 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) a summary of the efforts of the FAA to ad-
dress gaps in safety data provided from any of the in-
dustry segments described in subsection (b)(6). 
SEC. 349. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS 
AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall convene 
an aviation rulemaking committee to review, and develop 
findings and recommendations regarding, instructions for 
continued airworthiness (as described in section 21.50 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations), and provide to the 
Administrator a report on such findings and recommenda-
tions and for other related purposes as determined by the 
Administrator. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall consist 
of members appointed by the Administrator, including rep-
resentatives of— 
(1) holders of type certificates (as described in 
subpart B of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations); 
(2) holders of production certificates (as de-
scribed in subpart G of part 21, title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations);
212 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) holders of parts manufacturer approvals (as 
described in subpart K of part 21, title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations); 
(4) holders of technical standard order author-
izations (as described in subpart O of part 21, title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations); 
(5) operators under parts 121, 125, or 135 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(6) holders of repair station certificates (as de-
scribed in section 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations) that are not also type certificate holders as 
included under paragraph (1), production certificate 
holders as included under paragraph (2), or aircraft 
operators as included under paragraph (5) (or associ-
ated with any such entities); 
(7) the certified bargaining representative of 
aviation safety inspectors and engineers for the Ad-
ministration; 
(8) general aviation operators; 
(9) mechanics certificated under part 65 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(10) holders of supplemental type certificates (as 
described in subpart E of part 21 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations);
213 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(11) designated engineering representatives em-
ployed by repair stations described in paragraph (6); 
and 
(12) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of instructions for continued airworthiness poli-
cies and regulations. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall con-
sider— 
(1) existing standards, regulations, certifications, 
assessments, and guidance related to instructions for 
continued airworthiness and the clarity of such stand-
ards, regulations, certifications, assessments, and 
guidance to all parties; 
(2) the sufficiency of safety data used in pre-
paring instructions for continued airworthiness; 
(3) the sufficiency of maintenance data used in 
preparing instructions for continued airworthiness; 
(4) the protection of proprietary information 
and intellectual property in instructions for contin-
ued airworthiness; 
(5) the availability of instructions for continued 
airworthiness, as needed, for maintenance activities;
214 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(6) the need to harmonize or deconflict proposed 
and existing regulations with other Federal regula-
tions, guidance, and policies; 
(7) international collaboration, where appro-
priate and consistent with the interests of safety in 
air commerce and national security, with other civil 
aviation authorities, international aviation and 
standards organizations, and any other appropriate 
entities; and 
(8) any other matter the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a copy of the aviation rulemaking 
committee report under subsection (a); and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of sub-
mission of the report under paragraph (1), initiate a 
rulemaking activity or make such policy and guid-
ance updates necessary to address any consensus rec-
ommendations reached by the aviation rulemaking 
committee established pursuant to subsection (a), as 
determined appropriate by the Administrator.
215 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 350. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall con-
vene an aviation rulemaking committee to review and de-
velop findings and recommendations to require installation 
of a secondary cockpit barrier on commercial passenger air-
craft operated under the provisions of part 121 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, that are not captured under 
another regulation or proposed regulation. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Administrator shall appoint 
a chair and members of the rulemaking committee convened 
under subsection (a), which shall be comprised of at least 
1 representative from the constituencies of— 
(1) mainline air carriers; 
(2) regional air carriers; 
(3) aircraft manufacturers; 
(4) passenger aircraft pilots represented by a 
labor group; 
(5) flight attendants represented by a labor 
group; 
(6) airline passengers; and 
(7) other stakeholders the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under subsection (a) shall consider—
216 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) minimum dimension requirements for sec-
ondary barriers on all aircraft types operated under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) secondary barrier performance standards 
manufacturers and air carriers must meet for such 
aircraft types; 
(3) the availability of certified secondary bar-
riers suitable for use on such aircraft types; 
(4) the development, certification, testing, manu-
facturing, installation, and training for secondary 
barriers for such aircraft types; 
(5) flight duration and stage length; 
(6) the location of lavatories on such aircraft as 
related to operational complexities; 
(7) operational complexities; 
(8) any risks to safely evacuate passengers of 
such aircraft; and 
(9) other considerations the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 12 months 
after the convening of the aviation rulemaking committee 
described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report based 
on the findings and recommendations of the aviation rule-
217 
† HR 3935 EAS 
making committee convened under subsection (a), includ-
ing— 
(1) if applicable, any dissenting positions on the 
findings and the rationale for each position; and 
(2) any disagreements with the recommenda-
tions, including the rationale for each disagreement 
and the reasons for the disagreement. 
(e) INSTALLATION OF SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS 
OF EXISTING AIRCRAFT.—Not later than 36 months after 
the date of the submission of the report under subsection 
(d), the Administrator shall, taking into consideration the 
final reported findings and recommendations of the avia-
tion rulemaking committee, issue a final rule requiring in-
stallation of a secondary cockpit barrier on each commer-
cial passenger aircraft operated under the provisions of part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 351. PART 135 DUTY AND REST. 
(a) PART 91 TAIL–END FERRY RULEMAKING.—Not 
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall require that any operation con-
ducted by a flight crewmember during an assigned duty pe-
riod under the operational control of an operator holding 
a certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, before, during, or after the duty period (in-
cluding any operations under part 91 of title 14, Code of
218 
† HR 3935 EAS 
Federal Regulations), without an intervening rest period, 
shall count towards the flight time and duty period limita-
tions of such flight crewmember under part 135 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) RECORD KEEPING.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
update any Administration policy and guidance regarding 
complete and accurate record keeping practices for opera-
tors holding a certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, in order to properly document, at 
a minimum— 
(1) flight crew assignments; 
(2) flight crew prospective rest notifications; 
(3) compliance with flight and duty times limi-
tations and post-duty rest requirements; and 
(4) duty period start and end times. 
(c) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OVERSIGHT.—The 
Administrator, in performing oversight of the safety man-
agement system of an operator holding a certificate under 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, following 
the implementation of the final rule issued based on the 
final rule titled ‘‘Safety Management Systems’’, and pub-
lished on April 26, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 33068), shall ensure 
such operator is evaluating and appropriately mitigating
219 
† HR 3935 EAS 
aviation safety risks, including, at minimum, risks associ-
ated with— 
(1) inadequate flight crewmember duty and rest 
periods; and 
(2) incomplete records pertaining to flight crew 
rest, duty, and flight times. 
(d) ORGAN TRANSPORTATION FLIGHTS.—In updating 
guidance and policy pursuant to subsection (b), the Admin-
istrator shall consider and allow for appropriate accom-
modations, including accommodations related to subsections 
(b)(2) and (b)(4) for operators— 
(1) performing organ transportation operations; 
and 
(2) who have in place a means by which to iden-
tify and mitigate risks associated with flight crew 
duty and rest. 
SEC. 352. FLIGHT DATA RECOVERY FROM OVERWATER OP-
ERATIONS. 
(a) FLIGHT DATA RECOVERY FROM OVERWATER OP-
ERATIONS.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44746. Flight data recovery from overwater oper-
ations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the
220 
† HR 3935 EAS 
Federal Aviation Administration shall complete a rule-
making proceeding to require that, not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this section, all applicable 
aircraft are— 
‘‘(1) fitted with a means, in the event of an acci-
dent, to recover mandatory flight data parameters in 
a manner that does not require the underwater re-
trieval of the cockpit voice recorder or flight data re-
corder; 
‘‘(2) equipped with a tamper-resistant method to 
broadcast sufficient information to a ground station 
to establish the location where an applicable aircraft 
terminates flight as the result of such an event; and 
‘‘(3) equipped with an airframe low-frequency 
underwater locating device that functions for at least 
90 days and that can be detected by appropriate 
equipment. 
‘‘(b) APPLICABLE AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘applicable aircraft’ means an aircraft manu-
factured on or after January 1, 2028, that is— 
‘‘(1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit 
voice recorder and a flight data recorder; and 
‘‘(3) used in extended overwater operations.’’.
221 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
447 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44746. Flight data recovery from overwater operations.’’. 
SEC. 353. RAMP WORKER SAFETY CALL TO ACTION. 
(a) CALL TO ACTION RAMP WORKER SAFETY RE-
VIEW.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate a Call to Action 
safety review of airport ramp worker safety and ways to 
minimize or eliminate ingestion zone and jet blast zone ac-
cidents. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Call to Action safety review re-
quired pursuant to subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) a description of Administration regulations, 
guidance, and directives related to airport ramp 
worker safety procedures and oversight of such proc-
esses; 
(2) a description of reportable accidents and in-
cidents involving airport ramp workers in 5-year pe-
riod preceding the date of enactment of this Act, in-
cluding any identified contributing factors to the re-
portable accident or incident; 
(3) training and related educational materials 
for airport ramp workers, including supervisory and 
contract employees;
222 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) any recommended devices and methods for 
communication on the airport ramp, including con-
siderations of requirements for operable radios and 
headsets; 
(5) a review of markings on the airport ramp 
that define restriction, staging, safety, or hazard 
zones, including markings to clearly define and 
graphically indicate the engine ingestion zones and 
envelope of safety for the variety of aircraft that may 
park at the same gate of the airport; 
(6) a review of aircraft jet blast and engine in-
take safety markings, including incorporation of 
markings on aircraft to indicate engine inlet danger 
zones; and 
(7) a process for stakeholders, including airlines, 
aircraft manufacturers, airports, labor, and aviation 
safety experts, to provide feedback and share best 
practices. 
(c) REPORT AND ACTIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the conclusion of the Call to Action safety review pur-
suant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the results of the review and any 
recommendations for actions or best practices to im-
prove airport ramp worker safety, including the iden-
223 
† HR 3935 EAS 
tification of risks and possible ways to mitigate such 
risks to be considered in any applicable safety man-
agement system of air carriers and airports; and 
(2) initiate such actions as are necessary to act 
upon the findings of the review. 
(d) TRAINING MATERIALS.—Not later than 6 months 
after the completion of the safety review required under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall develop and publish 
training and related educational materials about aircraft 
engine ingestion and jet blast hazards for ground crews, in-
cluding supervisory and contract employees, that includes 
information on— 
(1) the specific dangers and consequences of en-
tering engine ingestion or jet blast zones; 
(2) proper protocols to avoid entering an engine 
ingestion or jet blast zone; and 
(3) on-the-job, instructor-led training to phys-
ically demonstrate the engine ingestion zone bound-
aries and jet blast zones for each kind of aircraft the 
ground crew may encounter. 
(e) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator shall consult with aviation safety experts, 
air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, relevant labor organi-
zations, and airport operators.
224 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(f) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 6 
months after the publication of the training and related 
educational materials required under subsection (d), the 
Administrator may require any ramp worker, as appro-
priate, to receive the relevant engine ingestion and jet blast 
zone hazard training before such ramp worker may perform 
work on any airport ramp. 
SEC. 354. VOLUNTARY REPORTING PROTECTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40123(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(1) 
by 
inserting 
‘‘, 
including 
section 
552(b)(3)(B) of title 5’’ after ‘‘Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or third party’’ after ‘‘nor any 
agency’’. 
(b) REVIEW OF PROTECTION FROM DISCLOSURE.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall review and update part 193 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and review section 
44735 of title 49, United States Code, to ensure such laws 
and regulations designate and protect from disclosure infor-
mation or data submitted, collected, or obtained by the Ad-
ministrator under voluntary safety programs, including the 
following:
225 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) Aviation Safety Action Program. 
(2) Flight Operational Quality Assurance. 
(3) Line Operations Safety Assessments. 
(4) Air Traffic Safety Action Program. 
(5) Technical Operations Safety Action Pro-
gram. 
(6) Such other voluntarily submitted informa-
tion or programs as the Administrator determines ap-
propriate. 
SEC. 355. TOWER MARKING NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE-
MAKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to implement section 2110 
of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 
(49 U.S.C. 44718 note). 
(b) REPORT.—If the Administrator fails to issue the 
notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress an annual report on the status of such rule-
making, including— 
(1) the reasons that the Administrator has failed 
to issue the rulemaking; and 
(2) a list of fatal aircraft accidents associated 
with unmarked towers that have occurred during the
226 
† HR 3935 EAS 
5-year period preceding the date of submission of the 
report. 
SEC. 356. PROMOTION OF CIVIL AERONAUTICS AND SAFETY 
OF AIR COMMERCE. 
Section 40104 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘In carrying 
out’’ and all that follows through ‘‘other interested or-
ganizations.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(e); 
(3) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
(d); and 
(4) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(b) and reordering the subsections accordingly. 
SEC. 357. EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40104 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (b) 
(as redesignated by section 356) the following: 
‘‘(c) EDUCATIONAL
AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall support and undertake 
efforts to promote and support the education and pro-
227 
† HR 3935 EAS 
fessional development of current and future aerospace 
professionals. 
‘‘(2) EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.—Based on the 
availability of resources, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) develop and distribute civil aviation 
information and educational materials; and 
‘‘(B) provide expertise to State and local 
school administrators, college and university offi-
cials, and officers of other interested organiza-
tions and entities. 
‘‘(3) CONTENT.—In developing the educational 
materials under paragraph (2), the Administrator 
shall ensure such materials, including presentations, 
cover topics of broad relevance, including— 
‘‘(A) ethical decision-making and the re-
sponsibilities of aerospace professionals; 
‘‘(B) managing a workforce, encouraging 
proper reporting of prospective safety issues, and 
educating employees on safety management sys-
tems; and 
‘‘(C) responsibilities as a designee or rep-
resentative of the Administrator.’’. 
(b) SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND 
CONTINUING EDUCATION.—The Administrator may take 
such action as may be necessary to support or launch ini-
228 
† HR 3935 EAS 
tiatives that seek to advance the professional development 
and continuing education of aerospace professionals. 
SEC. 358. GLOBAL AVIATION SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40104(d) of title 49, United 
States Code, (as redesignated by section 356) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading by inserting ‘‘AND 
ASSISTANCE’’ after ‘‘INTERNATIONAL ROLE’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘The Adminis-
trator’’ and inserting ‘‘In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (4); and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall maintain an international presence to— 
‘‘(A) assist foreign civil aviation authorities 
in— 
‘‘(i) establishing robust aviation over-
sight practices and policies; 
‘‘(ii) harmonizing international avia-
tion standards for air traffic management, 
operator certification, aircraft certification, 
airports, and certificated or credentialed in-
dividuals;
229 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(iii) validating and accepting foreign 
aircraft design and production approvals; 
‘‘(iv) preparing for new aviation tech-
nologies, including powered-lift aircraft, 
products, and articles; and 
‘‘(v) 
appropriately 
adopting 
con-
tinuing airworthiness information, such as 
airworthiness directives; 
‘‘(B) encourage the adoption of United 
States standards, regulations, and policies; 
‘‘(C) establish, maintain, and update bilat-
eral or multilateral aviation safety agreements 
and the aviation safety information contained 
within such agreements; 
‘‘(D) engage in bilateral and multilateral 
discussions as required under paragraph (5) and 
provide technical assistance as described in 
paragraph (6); 
‘‘(E) validate foreign aviation products and 
ensure reciprocal validation of products for 
which the United States is the state of design or 
production; 
‘‘(F) support accident and incident inves-
tigations, particularly such investigations that 
involve United States persons and certified prod-
230 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ucts and such investigations where the National 
Transportation Safety Board is supporting an 
investigation pursuant to annex 13 of the Inter-
national Civil Aviation Organization; 
‘‘(G) support the international safety activi-
ties of the United States aviation sector; 
‘‘(H) maintain valuable relationships with 
entities with aviation equities, including civil 
aviation authorities, other governmental bodies, 
non-governmental organizations, and foreign 
manufacturers; and 
‘‘(I) perform other activities as determined 
necessary by the Administrator.’’. 
(b) REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL FIELD OFFICES.— 
Section 40104(d) of title 49, United States Code, (as redes-
ignated by section 356) is further amended by inserting 
after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) INTERNATIONAL OFFICES.—In carrying out 
the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator— 
‘‘(A) shall maintain international offices of 
the Administration; 
‘‘(B) every 5 years, may review existing 
international offices to determine—
231 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(i) the effectiveness of such offices in 
fulfilling the mission described in para-
graph (2); and 
‘‘(ii) the adequacy of resources and 
staffing to achieve the mission described in 
paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(C) shall establish offices to address gaps 
identified by the review under subparagraph (B) 
and in furtherance of the mission described in 
paragraph (2), putting an emphasis on estab-
lishing such offices— 
‘‘(i) where international civil aviation 
authorities are located; 
‘‘(ii) where regional intergovernmental 
organizations are located; 
‘‘(iii) in countries that have difficulty 
maintaining a category 1 classification 
through the International Aviation Safety 
Assessment program; and 
‘‘(iv) in regions that have experienced 
substantial growth in aviation operations 
or manufacturing.’’. 
(c) BILATERAL
AVIATION
SAFETY
AGREEMENTS; 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
232 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 40104(d) of title 
49, United States Code, (as redesignated by section 
356) is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) BILATERAL
AVIATION
SAFETY
AGREE-
MENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall negotiate, enter into, promote, enforce, 
evaluate the effectiveness of, and seek to update 
bilateral or multilateral aviation safety agree-
ments, and the parts of such agreements, with 
international aviation authorities. 
‘‘(B) PURPOSE.—The Administrator shall 
seek to enter into bilateral aviation safety agree-
ments under this section to, at a minimum— 
‘‘(i) improve global aviation safety; 
‘‘(ii) increase harmonization of, and 
reduce duplicative, requirements, processes, 
and approvals to advance the aviation in-
terests of the United States; 
‘‘(iii) ensure access to international 
markets for operators, service providers, and 
manufacturers from the United States; and 
‘‘(iv) put in place procedures for re-
course when a party to such agreements
233 
† HR 3935 EAS 
fails to meet the obligations of such party 
under such agreements. 
‘‘(C) SCOPE.—The scope of a bilateral avia-
tion safety agreement entered into under this sec-
tion shall, as appropriate, cover existing avia-
tion users and concepts and establish a process 
by which bilateral aviation safety agreements 
can be updated to include new and novel con-
cepts on an ongoing basis. 
‘‘(D) CONTENTS.—Bilateral aviation safety 
agreements entered into under this section shall, 
as appropriate and consistent with United 
States law and regulation, include topics such 
as— 
‘‘(i) airworthiness, certification, and 
validation; 
‘‘(ii) maintenance; 
‘‘(iii) operations and pilot training; 
‘‘(iv) airspace access, efficiencies, and 
navigation services; 
‘‘(v) transport category aircraft; 
‘‘(vi) fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, 
powered-lift aircraft, products, and articles; 
‘‘(vii) aerodrome certification;
234 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(viii) unmanned aircraft and associ-
ated elements of such aircraft; 
‘‘(ix) flight simulation training de-
vices; 
‘‘(x) new or emerging technologies and 
technology trends; and 
‘‘(xi) other topics as determined appro-
priate by the Administrator. 
‘‘(E) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Bilateral 
or multilateral aviation safety agreements en-
tered into under this subsection shall not be con-
strued to diminish or alter any authority of the 
Administrator under any other provision of 
law.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UPDATES.—Section 
40113(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) 
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
OUTSIDE
OF 
AGREEMENTS.—In the absence of a bilateral or multi-
lateral agreement, the Administrator may provide 
technical assistance and training under this sub-
section if the Administrator determines that— 
‘‘(A) a foreign government would benefit 
from technical assistance pursuant to this sub-
235 
† HR 3935 EAS 
section to strengthen aviation safety, efficiency, 
and security; and 
‘‘(B) the engagement is to provide inher-
ently governmental technical assistance and 
training. 
‘‘(7) INHERENTLY
GOVERNMENTAL
TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘inherently governmental technical 
assistance and training’ means technical assistance 
and training that— 
‘‘(A) relies upon or incorporates Federal 
Aviation Administration-specific program, sys-
tem, policy, or procedural matters; 
‘‘(B) must be accomplished using agency ex-
pertise and authority; and 
‘‘(C) relates to— 
‘‘(i) international aviation safety as-
sessment technical reviews and technical as-
sistance; 
‘‘(ii) aerodrome safety and certifi-
cation; 
‘‘(iii) aviation system certification ac-
tivities based on Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration regulations and requirements;
236 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(iv) cybersecurity efforts to protect 
United States aviation ecosystem compo-
nents and facilities; 
‘‘(v) operation and maintenance of air 
navigation system equipment, procedures, 
and personnel; or 
‘‘(vi) training and exercises in support 
of aviation safety, efficiency, and security.’’. 
(3) VALIDATION OF POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT.— 
In carrying out section 40104(d) of title 49, United 
States Code (as amended by this Act), the Adminis-
trator shall ensure coordination with international 
civil aviation authorities regarding the establishment 
of mutual processes for efficient validation, accept-
ance, and working arrangements of certificates and 
approvals for powered-lift aircraft, products, and ar-
ticles. 
(4) REPORT
ON
INTERNATIONAL
VALIDATION 
PROGRAM PERFORMANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall initiate a review to evaluate the per-
formance of the type certificate validation pro-
gram of the FAA under bilateral or multilateral
237 
† HR 3935 EAS 
aviation safety agreements, with a focus on 
agreed to implementation procedures. 
(B) CONTENTS.—In conducting the review 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall con-
sider, at minimum, the following: 
(i) Actions taken for the purposes of 
carrying out section 243(a) of the FAA Re-
authorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 
note). 
(ii) Metrics from validation programs 
carried out prior to the initiation of such 
review, including the number and types of 
projects, timeline milestones, and trends re-
lating to the repeated use of non-basic cri-
teria. 
(iii) Training on the minimum stand-
ards of established validation work plans, 
including any guidance on the level of in-
volvement of the validating authority, estab-
lished justifications for involvement, and 
procedures for compliance document re-
quests. 
(iv) The perspectives of— 
(I) FAA employees responsible for 
type validation projects;
238 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(II) bilateral civil aviation regu-
latory partners; and 
(III) industry applicants seeking 
validation. 
(v) Adequacy of the funding and staff-
ing levels of the International Validation 
Branch of the Compliance and Airworthi-
ness Division of the Aircraft Certification 
Service of the FAA. 
(vi) Effectiveness of FAA training for 
FAA employees. 
(vii) Effectiveness of outreach con-
ducted to improve and enforce validation 
processes. 
(viii) Efforts undertaken to strengthen 
relationships with international certifi-
cation authorities. 
(ix) Number of approvals issued by 
other certifying authorities in compliance 
with applicable bilateral agreements and 
implementation procedures. 
(C) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after 
the completion of the review initiated under this 
subsection, the Administrator shall submit to the
239 
† HR 3935 EAS 
appropriate committees of Congress a report re-
garding such review. 
(D) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph, the 
terms ‘‘ODA holder’’ and ‘‘ODA unit’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 44736(c) of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(d) INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY.—Sec-
tion 40104(d) of title 49, United States Code, (as redesig-
nated by section 356) is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(7) STRATEGIC PLAN.—The Administrator shall 
maintain a strategic plan for the international en-
gagement of the Administration that includes— 
‘‘(A) all elements of the report required 
under section 243(b) of the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); 
‘‘(B) measures to fulfill the mission de-
scribed in paragraph (2); 
‘‘(C) initiatives to attain greater expertise 
among employees of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration in issues related to dispute resolu-
tion, intellectual property, and export control 
laws; 
‘‘(D) policy regarding the future direction 
and strategy of the United States engagement
240 
† HR 3935 EAS 
with the International Civil Aviation Organiza-
tion; 
‘‘(E) procedures for acceptance of manda-
tory airworthiness information, such as air-
worthiness directives, and other safety-related 
regulatory documents, including procedures to 
implement 
the 
requirements 
of 
section 
44701(e)(5); 
‘‘(F) all factors, including funding and 
resourcing, necessary for the Administration to 
maintain leadership in the global activities re-
lated to aviation safety and air transportation; 
‘‘(G) establishment of, and a process to reg-
ularly track and update, metrics to measure the 
effectiveness of, and foreign civil aviation author-
ity compliance with, bilateral aviation safety 
agreements; and 
‘‘(H) a strategic methodology to facilitate 
the ability of the United States aerospace indus-
try to efficiently operate and export new aero-
space technologies, products, and articles in key 
markets globally.’’. 
(e) POWERED-LIFT
AIRCRAFT.—In developing the 
methodology required under section 40104(d)(7)(H) of title
241 
† HR 3935 EAS 
49, United States Code (as added by subsection (d)), the 
Administrator shall— 
(1) perform an assessment of existing bilateral 
aviation safety agreements, implementation proce-
dures, and other associated bilateral arrangements to 
determine how current and future powered-lift prod-
ucts and articles can utilize the most appropriate val-
idation mechanisms and procedures; 
(2) facilitate global acceptance of the approach of 
the FAA to certification of powered-lift aircraft, prod-
ucts, and articles; and 
(3) consider any other information determined 
appropriated by the Administrator. 
SEC. 359. AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTIONS, 
SITE VISITS, AND TRAINING. 
Section 40104 of title 49, United States Code, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) TRAVEL.—The Administrator and the Secretary 
of Transportation shall, in carrying out the responsibilities 
described in subsection (a), delegate to the appropriate su-
pervisors of offices of the Administration the ability to au-
thorize the domestic and international travel of relevant 
personnel who are not in the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion Executive System, without any additional approvals 
required, for the purposes of—
242 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(1) promoting aviation safety, aircraft oper-
ations, air traffic, airport, unmanned aircraft sys-
tems, aviation fuels, and other aviation standards, 
regulations, and initiatives adopted by the United 
States; 
‘‘(2) facilitating the adoption of United States 
approaches on such aviation standards and rec-
ommended practices at the International Civil Avia-
tion Organization; 
‘‘(3) supporting the acceptance of Administra-
tion design and production approvals by other civil 
aviation authorities; 
‘‘(4) training Administration personnel and 
training provided to other persons; 
‘‘(5) engaging with regulated entities, including 
performing site visits; 
‘‘(6) activities associated with subsections (c) 
through (e); and 
‘‘(7) other activities as determined by the Ad-
ministrator.’’. 
SEC. 360. WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, to ensure that sufficient fire-
fighting resources are available to suppress wildfires and 
protect public safety and property, and notwithstanding
243 
† HR 3935 EAS 
any other provision of law or agency regulation, the Admin-
istrator shall issue a rule under which— 
(1) an operation described in section 21.25(b)(7) 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall allow 
for the transport of firefighters to and from the site 
of a wildfire to perform ground wildfire suppression 
and designate the firefighters conducting such an op-
eration as essential crewmembers on board a covered 
aircraft operated on a mission to suppress wildfire; 
(2) the aircraft maintenance, inspections, and 
pilot training requirements under part 135 of such 
title 14 may apply to such an operation, if deter-
mined by the Administrator to be necessary to main-
tain the safety of firefighters carrying out wildfire 
suppression missions; and 
(3) the noise standards described in part 36 of 
such title 14 shall not apply to such an operation. 
(b) SURPLUS MILITARY AIRCRAFT.—In issuing a rule 
under subsection (a), the Administrator may not enable any 
aircraft of a type that has been— 
(1) manufactured in accordance with the re-
quirements of, and accepted for use by, the armed 
forces (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United 
States Code); and
244 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) later modified to be used for wildfire suppres-
sion operations. 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS
TO
FAA DOCU-
MENTS.—In issuing a rule under subsection (a), the Admin-
istrator shall revise the order of the FAA titled ‘‘Restricted 
Category Type Certification’’, issued on February 27, 2006 
(FAA Order 8110.56), as well as any corresponding policy 
or guidance material, to reflect the requirements of this sec-
tion. 
(d) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to 
take action otherwise authorized by law to protect aviation 
safety or passenger safety. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘covered air-
craft’’ means an aircraft type-certificated in the re-
stricted category under section 21.25 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, used for transporting fire-
fighters to and from the site of a wildfire in order to 
perform ground wildfire suppression for the purpose 
of extinguishing a wildfire on behalf of, or pursuant 
to a contract with, a Federal, State, or local govern-
ment agency. 
(2) FIREFIGHTERS.—The term ‘‘firefighters’’ 
means a trained fire suppression professional the
245 
† HR 3935 EAS 
transport of whom is necessary to accomplish a wild-
fire suppression operation. 
SEC. 361. CONTINUOUS AIRCRAFT TRACKING AND TRANS-
MISSION FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOONS. 
(a) STUDY ON EFFECTS OF HIGH ALTITUDE BAL-
LOONS ON AVIATION SAFETY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, 
in coordination with the heads of other relevant Fed-
eral agencies, shall brief the appropriate committees 
of Congress on the effects of high altitude balloon op-
erations that do not emit electronic or radio signals 
for identification purposes and are launched within 
the United States and the territories of the United 
States on aviation safety. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Administrator shall consider— 
(A) current technology available and em-
ployed to track high altitude balloon operations 
described under paragraph (1); 
(B) how the flights of such operations have 
affected, or could affect, aviation safety; 
(C) how such operations have contributed, 
or could contribute, to misidentified threats to
246 
† HR 3935 EAS 
civil or military aviation operations or infra-
structure; and 
(D) how such operations have impacted, or 
could impact, national security and air traffic 
control operations. 
(b) HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON TRACKING AVIATION 
RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall establish an Aviation Rulemaking Com-
mittee (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’) 
to review and develop findings and recommendations 
to inform a standard for any high altitude balloon to 
be equipped with a system for continuous aircraft 
tracking that transmits, at a minimum, the altitude, 
location, and identity of the high altitude balloon in 
a manner that is accessible to air traffic controllers 
and ensures the safe integration of high altitude bal-
loons into the national airspace system. 
(2) COMPOSITION.—The Committee shall consist 
of members appointed by the Administrator, includ-
ing the following: 
(A) Representatives of industry. 
(B) Aviation safety experts, including ex-
perts with specific knowledge—
247 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(i) of high altitude balloon operations; 
or 
(ii) FAA tracking and surveillance sys-
tems. 
(C) Non-governmental researchers and edu-
cators. 
(D) Representatives of the Department of 
Defense. 
(E) Representatives of Federal agencies that 
conduct high altitude balloon operations. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Committee shall 
submit to the Administrator a report detailing the 
findings and recommendations developed under para-
graph (1), including recommendations regarding the 
following: 
(A) How to update sections 91.215, 91.225, 
and 99.13 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, to require all high altitude balloons to 
have a continuous aircraft tracking and trans-
mission system. 
(B) Any necessary updates to the require-
ments for high altitude balloons under subpart D 
of part 101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions.
248 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(C) Any necessary updates to other FAA 
regulations or requirements deemed appropriate 
and necessary by the Administrator to— 
(i) ensure any high altitude balloon 
has a continuous aircraft tracking and 
transmission system; 
(ii) ensure all data relating to the alti-
tude, location, and identity of any high al-
titude balloon is made available to air traf-
fic controllers; 
(iii) determine criteria and provide 
approval guidance for new equipment that 
provides continuous aircraft tracking and 
transmission for high altitude balloons and 
meets the performance requirements de-
scribed under section 91.225 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, including 
portable, battery-powered Automatic De-
pendent Surveillance–Broadcast Out equi-
page; and 
(iv) maintain airspace safety. 
(4) USE OF PRIOR WORK.—In developing the re-
port under paragraph (3), the Committee may make 
full use of any research, comments, data, findings, or
249 
† HR 3935 EAS 
recommendations made by any prior aviation rule-
making committee. 
(5) NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS.—Noth-
ing in this subsection shall require the Committee to 
develop recommendations requiring equipage of high 
altitude balloons with an Automatic Dependent Sur-
veillance–Broadcast Out system or an air traffic con-
trol transponder transmission system, or preclude the 
Committee from making recommendations for the 
adoption of new systems or solutions that may re-
quire that a high altitude balloon be equipped with 
a system that can transmit, at a minimum, the alti-
tude, location, and identity of the high altitude bal-
loon. 
(6) BRIEFING.—Not later than 6 months after 
receiving the report required under paragraph (3), the 
Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees 
of Congress on the contents of such report and the sta-
tus of any recommendation received pursuant to such 
report. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘‘high alti-
tude balloon’’ means a manned or unmanned free balloon 
operating not less than 18,000 feet above mean sea level.
250 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 362. CABIN AIR SAFETY. 
(a) DEADLINE FOR 2018 STUDY ON BLEED AIR.—Not 
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall complete the requirements of section 
326 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 
40101 note) and submit to the appropriate Congressional 
committees the following: 
(1) The completed study required under sub-
section (c) of such section. 
(2) The report on the feasibility, efficacy, and 
cost-effectiveness of certification and installation of 
systems to evaluate bleed air quality required under 
subsection (d) of such section. 
(b) REPORTING
SYSTEM
FOR
SMOKE
OR
FUME 
EVENTS ONBOARD COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall develop a standardized submission system 
for air carrier employees to voluntarily report fume 
or smoke events onboard passenger-carrying aircraft 
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(2) COLLECTED
INFORMATION.—In developing 
the system under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall ensure that the system includes a method for 
submitting information about a smoke or fume event
251 
† HR 3935 EAS 
that allows for the collection of the following informa-
tion, if applicable: 
(A) Identification of the flight number, 
type, and registration of the aircraft. 
(B) The date of the reported fume or smoke 
event onboard the aircraft. 
(C) Description of fumes or smoke in the 
aircraft, including the nature, intensity, and vis-
ual consistency or smell (if any). 
(D) The location of the fumes or smoke in 
the aircraft. 
(E) The source (if discernible) of the fumes 
or smoke in the aircraft. 
(F) The phase of flight during which fumes 
or smoke first became present. 
(G) The duration of the fume or smoke 
event. 
(H) Any required onboard medical atten-
tion for passengers or crew members. 
(I) Any additional factors as determined 
appropriate by the Administrator or crew mem-
ber submitting a report. 
(3) GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION.—The Admin-
istrator shall issue guidelines on how to submit the 
information described in paragraph (2).
252 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) CONFIRMATION OF SUBMISSION.—Upon sub-
mitting the information described in paragraph (2), 
the submitting party shall receive a duplicate record 
of the submission and confirmation of receipt. 
(5) 
USE
OF
INFORMATION.—The 
Adminis-
trator— 
(A) may not publicly publish any— 
(i) information specific to a fume or 
smoke event that is submitted pursuant to 
this section; and 
(ii) any information that may be used 
to identify the party submitting such infor-
mation; 
(B) may only publicly publish information 
submitted pursuant to this section that has been 
aggregated if— 
(i) such information has been vali-
dated; and 
(ii) the availability of such informa-
tion would improve aviation safety; 
(C) shall maintain a database of such infor-
mation; 
(D) at the request of an air carrier, shall 
provide to such air carrier any information sub-
mitted pursuant to this section that is relevant
253 
† HR 3935 EAS 
to such air carrier, except any information that 
may be used to identify the party submitting 
such information; 
(E) may not, without validation, assume 
that information submitted pursuant to this sec-
tion is accurate for the purposes of initiating 
rulemaking or taking an enforcement action; 
(F) may use information submitted pursu-
ant to this section to inform the oversight of the 
safety management system of an air carrier; and 
(G) may use information submitted pursu-
ant to this section for the purpose of performing 
a study or supporting a study sponsored by the 
Administrator. 
(c) NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY ON OVERALL CABIN 
AIR QUALITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall seek to enter into the appropriate arrangements 
with the National Academies to conduct a study and 
issue recommendations to be made publicly available 
pertaining to cabin air quality and any risk of, and 
potential for, persistent and accidental fume or smoke 
events onboard a passenger-carrying aircraft oper-
254 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations. 
(2) SCOPE.—In carrying out a study pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the National Academies shall exam-
ine— 
(A) the report issued pursuant to section 
326 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 40101 note) and any identified assump-
tions or gaps described in such report; 
(B) the information collected through the 
system established pursuant to subsection (b); 
(C) any health risks or impacts of fume or 
smoke events on flight crews, including flight at-
tendants and pilots, and passengers onboard air-
craft operating under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
(D) instances of persistent or regularly oc-
curring (as determined by the National Acad-
emies) fume or smoke events in such aircraft; 
(E) instances of accidental, unexpected, or 
irregularly occurring (as determined by the Na-
tional Academies) fume or smoke events on such 
aircraft, including whether such accidental 
events are more frequent during various phases
255 
† HR 3935 EAS 
of operations, including ground operations, tax-
iing, take off, cruise, and landing; 
(F) the air contaminants present during the 
instances described in subparagraphs (D) and 
(E) and the probable originating materials of 
such air contaminants; 
(G) the frequencies, durations, and likely 
causes of the instances described in subpara-
graphs (D) and (E); and 
(H) any additional data on fume or smoke 
events, as determined appropriate by the Na-
tional Academies. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—As a part of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), the National Acad-
emies shall provide recommendations— 
(A) that, at minimum, address how to— 
(i) improve overall cabin air quality of 
passenger-carrying aircraft; 
(ii) improve the detection, accuracy, 
and reporting of fume or smoke events; and 
(iii) reduce the frequency and impact 
of fume or smoke events; and 
(B) to establish or update standards, guide-
lines, or regulations that could help achieve the 
recommendations described in subparagraph (A).
256 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
month after the completion of the study conducted 
under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a copy of 
such study and recommendations submitted with such 
study. 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after the 
completion of the study conducted under subsection (c), the 
Administrator may, as appropriate to address the safety 
risks identified as a result of the actions taken pursuant 
to this section, issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to es-
tablish requirements for scheduled passenger air carrier op-
erations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions that may include the following: 
(1) Training for flight attendants, pilots, air-
craft maintenance technicians, airport first respond-
ers, and emergency responders on how to respond to 
incidents on aircraft involving fume or smoke events. 
(2) Required actions and procedures for air car-
riers to take after receiving a report of an incident 
involving a fume or smoke event in which at least 1 
passenger or crew member required medical attention 
as a result of such incident. 
(3) Installation onboard aircraft of detectors and 
other air quality monitoring equipment.
257 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(e) FUME OR SMOKE EVENT DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘fume or smoke event’’ means an event in 
which there is an atypical noticeable or persistent presence 
of fumes or air contaminants in the cabin, including, at 
a minimum, a smoke event. 
SEC. 363. COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR AND SPORT PARA-
CHUTING SAFETY. 
(a) SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL AIR 
TOUR OPERATORS.— 
(1) SAFETY REFORMS.— 
(A) AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT NONSTOP COM-
MERCIAL AIR TOURS.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), beginning on the date that is 2 years 
after the date a final rule is published pur-
suant to paragraph (3), no person may con-
duct commercial air tours unless such per-
son either— 
(I) holds a certificate identifying 
the person as an air carrier or com-
mercial operator under part 119 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
and conducts all commercial air tours 
under the applicable provisions of part
258 
† HR 3935 EAS 
121 or part 135 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; or 
(II) conducts all commercial air 
tours pursuant to the requirements es-
tablished by the Administrator under 
the final rule published pursuant to 
paragraph (3). 
(ii) SMALL
BUSINESS
EXCEPTION.— 
The provisions of clause (i) shall not apply 
to a person who conducts 100 or fewer com-
mercial air tours in a calendar year. 
(B) ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 3 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall issue new or revised 
regulations to require a commercial air tour 
operator seeking to conduct an operation 
with a removed or modified door and a per-
son conducting aerial photography oper-
ations seeking to conduct an operation with 
a removed or modified door to receive ap-
proval from the Administrator prior to con-
ducting such operation. 
(ii) CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS.— 
In issuing new or revised regulations under
259 
† HR 3935 EAS 
clause (i), the Administrator may impose 
such conditions and restrictions as deter-
mined necessary for safety. 
(iii) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
issuing 
new or revised regulations under clause (i), 
the Administrator shall require a commer-
cial air tour operator to demonstrate to any 
representative of the FAA, upon request, 
that a pilot authorized to operate such an 
air tour has received avoidance training for 
controlled flight into terrain and in-flight 
loss of control. Such training shall address 
reducing the risk of accidents involving un-
intentional flight into instrument meteoro-
logical conditions to address day, night, and 
low-visibility environments with special at-
tention paid to research available as of the 
date of enactment of this Act on human fac-
tors issues involved in such accidents, in-
cluding, at a minimum— 
(I) specific terrain, weather, and 
infrastructure challenges relevant in 
the local operating environment that 
increase the risk of such accidents;
260 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(II) pilot decision-making rel-
evant to the avoidance of instrument 
meteorological conditions while oper-
ating under visual flight rules; 
(III) use of terrain awareness dis-
plays; 
(IV) spatial disorientation risk 
factors and countermeasures; and 
(V) strategies for maintaining 
control, including the use of automated 
systems. 
(2) AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
convene an aviation rulemaking committee to re-
view and develop findings and recommendations 
to increase the safety of commercial air tours. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—The aviation rule-
making committee convened under subparagraph 
(A) shall consider, at a minimum— 
(i) potential changes to operations reg-
ulations or requirements for commercial air 
tours, including requiring— 
(I) the adoption of pilot training 
standards that are comparable, as ap-
plicable, to the standards under sub-
261 
† HR 3935 EAS 
part H of part 135 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; and 
(II) the adoption of maintenance 
standards that are comparable, as ap-
plicable, to the standards under sub-
part J of part 135 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; 
(ii) establishing a performance-based 
standard for flight data monitoring for all 
commercial air tour operators that reviews 
all available data sources to identify devi-
ations from established areas of operation 
and potential safety issues; 
(iii) requiring all commercial air tour 
operators to install flight data recording de-
vices capable of supporting collection and 
dissemination of the data incorporated in 
the Flight Operational Quality Assurance 
Program under section 13.401 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or, if an air-
craft cannot be retrofitted with such equip-
ment, requiring the commercial air tour op-
erator for such aircraft to collect and main-
tain flight data through alternative meth-
ods);
262 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(iv) requiring all commercial air tour 
operators to implement a flight data moni-
toring program, such as a Flight Oper-
ational Quality Assurance Program; 
(v) establishing methods to provide ef-
fective terrain awareness and warning; and 
(vi) establishing methods to provide ef-
fective traffic avoidance in identified high- 
traffic tour areas, such as requiring com-
mercial air tour operators that operate 
within such areas be equipped with an 
automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast 
out- and in-supported traffic advisory sys-
tem that— 
(I) includes both visual and aural 
alerts; 
(II) is driven by an algorithm de-
signed to eliminate nuisance alerts; 
and 
(III) is operational during all 
flight operations. 
(vii) codifying and uniformly applying 
Living History Flight Experience exemp-
tion conditions and limitations.
263 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(C) 
MEMBERSHIP.—The 
aviation 
rule-
making committee convened under subparagraph 
(A) shall consist of members appointed by the 
Administrator, including— 
(i) representatives of industry, includ-
ing manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft 
technologies; 
(ii) air tour operators or organizations 
that represent such operators; and 
(iii) aviation safety experts with spe-
cific knowledge of safety management sys-
tems and flight data monitoring programs 
under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(D) DUTIES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall direct the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee to make findings and submit rec-
ommendations regarding each of the matters 
specified in clauses (i) through (vi) of sub-
paragraph (B). 
(ii) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying 
out the duties of the aviation rulemaking 
committee under clause (i), the Adminis-
264 
† HR 3935 EAS 
trator shall direct the aviation rulemaking 
committee to consider— 
(I) recommendations of the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board; 
(II) recommendations of previous 
aviation rulemaking committees that 
reviewed flight data monitoring pro-
gram requirements for commercial op-
erators under part 135 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
(III) recommendations from in-
dustry safety organizations, including 
the Vertical Aviation Safety Team, the 
General Aviation Joint Safety Com-
mittee, and the United States Heli-
copter Safety Team; 
(IV) scientific data derived from a 
broad range of flight data recording 
technologies capable of continuously 
transmitting and that support a meas-
urable and viable means of assessing 
data to identify and correct hazardous 
trends;
265 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(V) appropriate use of data for 
modifying behavior to prevent acci-
dents; 
(VI) the need to accommodate 
technological advancements in flight 
data recording technology; 
(VII) data gathered from aviation 
safety reporting programs; 
(VIII) appropriate methods to 
provide effective terrain awareness and 
warning system protections while miti-
gating nuisance alerts for aircraft; 
(IX) the need to accommodate the 
diversity of airworthiness standards 
under part 27 and part 29 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations; 
(X) the need to accommodate di-
versity of operations and mission sets; 
(XI) benefits of third-party data 
analysis for large and small oper-
ations; 
(XII) accommodations necessary 
for small businesses; and 
(XIII) other issues, as necessary.
266 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(E) REPORTS
AND
REGULATIONS.—Not 
later than 20 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report 
based on the findings of the aviation rulemaking 
committee. 
(3) RULEMAKING REQUIRED.— 
(A) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date the Adminis-
trator submits a report under paragraph (2)(E), 
the Administrator shall issue a notice of pro-
posed rulemaking establishing increasing safety 
regulations for commercial air tour operators 
based on the recommendations of the rulemaking 
committee established under paragraph (2). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The notice of proposed 
rulemaking under subparagraph (A) shall re-
quire, at a minimum— 
(i) the adoption of pilot training 
standards that are comparable, as applica-
ble, to the standards under subpart H of 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations for commercial tour operators; 
(ii) the adoption of maintenance 
standards that are comparable, as applica-
267 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ble, to the standards under subpart J of 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations for commercial tour operators; and 
(iii) that beginning on a date deter-
mined appropriate by the Administrator, a 
helicopter operated by a commercial air 
tour operator be equipped with an approved 
flight data monitoring system capable of re-
cording flight performance data. 
(C) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 2 years 
after the issuance of a notice of proposed rule-
making under subparagraph (A), the Adminis-
trator shall finalize the rule. 
(b) SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SPORT PARACHUTE 
OPERATIONS.— 
(1) AVIATION
RULEMAKING
COMMITTEE.—The 
Administrator shall convene an aviation rulemaking 
committee to review and develop findings and rec-
ommendations to increase the safety of sport para-
chute operations. 
(2) CONTENTS.—This aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under paragraph (1) shall consider, 
at a minimum— 
(A) potential regulatory action governing 
parachute operations that are conducted in the
268 
† HR 3935 EAS 
United States and are subject to the require-
ments of part 105 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to address— 
(i) whether FAA-approved aircraft 
maintenance and inspection programs that 
consider, at a minimum, minimum equip-
ment standards informed by recommended 
maintenance instructions of engine manu-
facturers, such as service bulletins and serv-
ice information letters for time between 
overhauls and component life limits, should 
be implemented; and 
(ii) initial and annual recurrent pilot 
training and proficiency checks for pilots 
conducting parachute operations that ad-
dress, at a minimum, operation- and air-
craft-specific weight and balance calcula-
tions, preflight inspections, emergency and 
recovery procedures, and parachutist egress 
procedures for each type of aircraft flown; 
and 
(B) the revision of guidance material con-
tained in the advisory circular of the FAA titled 
‘‘Sport Parachuting’’ (AC 105–2E) to include 
guidance for parachute operations in imple-
269 
† HR 3935 EAS 
menting the FAA-approved aircraft maintenance 
and inspection program and the pilot training 
and pilot proficiency checking programs required 
under any new or revised regulations; and 
(C) the revision of guidance materials 
issued in the order of the FAA titled ‘‘Flight 
Standards Information Management System’’ 
(FAA Order 8900.1), to include guidance for 
FAA inspectors who oversee an operation con-
ducted under— 
(i) part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; and 
(ii) an exception specified in section 
119.1(e) of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The aviation rulemaking 
committee under paragraph (1) shall consist of mem-
bers appointed by the Administrator, including— 
(A) representatives of industry, including 
manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft tech-
nologies; 
(B) parachute operators, or organizations 
that represent such operators; and 
(C) aviation safety experts with specific 
knowledge of safety management systems and
270 
† HR 3935 EAS 
flight data monitoring programs under part 135 
and part 105 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(4) DUTIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
direct the aviation rulemaking committee to 
make findings and submit recommendations re-
garding each of the matters specified in subpara-
graphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2). 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out its 
duties under subparagraph (A), the Adminis-
trator shall direct the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee to consider— 
(i) findings and recommendations of 
the National Transportation Safety Board, 
as relevant, and specifically such findings 
and recommendations related to parachute 
operations, including the June 21, 2019, in-
cident in Mokuleia, Hawaii; 
(ii) recommendations of previous avia-
tion rulemaking committees that considered 
similar issues; 
(iii) recommendations from industry 
safety organizations, including, at a min-
271 
† HR 3935 EAS 
imum, the United States Parachute Associa-
tion; 
(iv) appropriate use of data for modi-
fying behavior to prevent accidents; 
(v) data gathered from aviation safety 
reporting programs; 
(vi) the need to accommodate diversity 
of operations and mission sets; 
(vii) accommodations necessary for 
small businesses; and 
(viii) other issues as necessary. 
(5) REPORTS AND REGULATIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 36 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report based on 
the findings of the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee. 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report under subpara-
graph (A) shall include— 
(i) any recommendations submitted by 
the aviation rulemaking committee; and 
(ii) any actions the Administrator in-
tends to initiate, if necessary, as a result of 
such recommendations.
272 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR.—The term ‘‘com-
mercial air tour’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 136.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(3) COMMERCIAL
AIR
TOUR
OPERATOR.—The 
term ‘‘commercial air tour operator’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 136.1 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
(4) PARACHUTE OPERATION.—The term ‘‘para-
chute operation’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 105.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or any successor regulation). 
SEC. 364. HAWAII AIR NOISE AND SAFETY TASK FORCE. 
(a) PARTICIPATION.—To the extent acceptable to the 
State of Hawaii, the Administrator shall participate as a 
technical advisor in the air noise and safety task force es-
tablished by State legislation in the State of Hawaii. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date on which the task force described in subsection (a) de-
livers findings and consensus recommendations to the FAA, 
the Administrator shall, consistent with maintaining the 
safety and efficiency of the national airspace system—
273 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) issue an intent to proceed with a proposed 
rulemaking; 
(2) take other action sufficient to carry out fea-
sible, consensus recommendations; or 
(3) issue a statement determining that no such 
rule or other action is warranted, including a de-
tailed explanation of the rationale for such deter-
mination. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining whether to pro-
ceed with a proposed rulemaking, guidance, or other action 
under subsection (b) and, if applicable, in developing the 
proposed rule, guidance, or carrying out the other action, 
the Administrator shall consider the findings and consensus 
recommendations of the task force described in subsection 
(a). 
(d) AUTHORITIES.—In issuing the rule, guidance, or 
carrying out the other action described in subsection (b), 
the Administrator may take actions in the State of Hawaii 
to— 
(1) provide commercial air tour operators with 
preferred routes, times, and minimum altitudes for 
the purpose of noise reduction, so long as such rec-
ommendations do not negatively impact safety condi-
tions;
274 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) provide commercial air tour operators with 
information regarding quiet aircraft technology; and 
(3) establish a method for residents of the State 
of Hawaii to publicly report noise disruptions due to 
commercial air tours and for commercial air tour op-
erators to respond to complaints. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as providing the Administrator with au-
thority to ban commercial air tour flights in the State of 
Hawaii for the purposes of noise reduction. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR.—The term ‘‘com-
mercial air tour’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 136.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) COMMERCIAL
AIR
TOUR
OPERATOR.—The 
term ‘‘commercial air tour operator’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 136.1 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 365. MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR-
CRAFT EVACUATION. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall conduct a study on improvements to the safety 
and efficiency of evacuation standards for manufac-
275 
† HR 3935 EAS 
turers and carriers of transport category airplanes, as 
described in parts 25 and 121 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
(2) CONTENTS.— 
(A) REQUIREMENTS.—The study required 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
(i) a prospective risk analysis, as well 
as an evaluation of relevant past incidents 
with respect to evacuation safety and evacu-
ation standards; 
(ii) an assessment of the evacuation 
testing procedures described in section 
25.803 of such title 14, as well as rec-
ommendations for how to revise such testing 
procedures to ensure that the testing proce-
dures assess, in a safe manner, the ability 
of passengers with disabilities, including 
passengers who use wheelchairs or other mo-
bility assistive devices, to safely and effi-
ciently evacuate an aircraft; 
(iii) an assessment of the evacuation 
demonstration procedures described in such 
part 121, as well as recommendations for 
how to improve such demonstration proce-
dures to ensure that the demonstration pro-
276 
† HR 3935 EAS 
cedures assess, in a safe manner, the ability 
of passengers with disabilities, including 
passengers who use wheelchairs or other mo-
bility assistive devices, to safely and effi-
ciently evacuate an aircraft; 
(iv) the research proposed in National 
Transportation Safety Board Safety Rec-
ommendation A–18–009; and 
(v) any other analysis determined ap-
propriate by the Administrator. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the 
study under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall assess the following: 
(i) The ability of passengers of dif-
ferent ages (including infants, children, and 
senior citizens) to safely and efficiently 
evacuate a transport category airplane. 
(ii) The ability of passengers of dif-
ferent heights and weights to safely and effi-
ciently evacuate a transport category air-
plane. 
(iii) The ability of passengers with dis-
abilities to safely and efficiently evacuate a 
transport category airplane.
277 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(iv) The ability of passengers who can-
not speak, have difficulty speaking, use syn-
thetic speech, or are non-vocal or non-verbal 
to safely and efficiently evacuate a trans-
port category airplane. 
(v) The ability of passengers who do 
not speak English to safely and efficiently 
evacuate a transport category airplane. 
(vi) The impact of the presence of 
carry-on luggage and personal items (such 
as a purse, briefcase, laptop, or backpack) 
on the ability of passengers to safely and ef-
ficiently evacuate a transport category air-
plane. 
(vii) The impact of seat size and pas-
senger seating space and pitch on the abil-
ity of passengers to safely and efficiently 
evacuate a transport category airplane. 
(viii) The impact of seats and other ob-
stacles in the pathway to the exit opening 
from the nearest aisle on the ability of pas-
sengers to safely and efficiently evacuate a 
transport category airplane. 
(ix) With respect to aircraft with par-
allel longitudinal aisles, the impact of seat
278 
† HR 3935 EAS 
pods or other seating configurations that 
block access between such aisles within a 
cabin on the ability of passengers to safely 
and efficiently evacuate a transport cat-
egory airplane. 
(x) The impact of passenger load on 
the ability of passengers to safely and effi-
ciently evacuate a transport category air-
plane. 
(xi) The impact of animals approved 
to accompany a passenger, including service 
animals, on the ability of passengers to 
safely and efficiently evacuate a transport 
category airplane. 
(xii) Whether an applicant for a type 
certificate (as defined in section 44704(e)(7) 
of title 49, United States Code) should be 
required to demonstrate compliance with 
FAA emergency evacuation regulations (as 
described in section 25.803 and Appendix J 
of part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations) through live testing in any case in 
which the Administrator determines that 
the new aircraft design is significant.
279 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(xiii) Any other factor determined ap-
propriate by the Administrator. 
(C) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
(i) PASSENGER LOAD.—The term ‘‘pas-
senger load’’ means the number of pas-
sengers relative to the number of seats on-
board the aircraft. 
(ii) 
PASSENGERS
WITH
DISABIL-
ITIES.—The term ‘‘passengers with disabil-
ities’’ means any qualified individual with 
a disability, as defined in section 382.3 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE FOR EVACU-
ATION STANDARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the completion of the study conducted under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall establish an avia-
tion rulemaking committee (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Committee’’) to— 
(A) review the findings of the study; and 
(B) develop and submit to the Adminis-
trator recommendations regarding improvements 
to the evacuation standards described in parts 25 
and 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
280 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) COMPOSITION.—The Committee shall consist 
of members appointed by the Administrator, includ-
ing the following: 
(A) Representatives of industry. 
(B) Representatives of aviation labor orga-
nizations. 
(C) Aviation safety experts with specific 
knowledge of the evacuation standards and re-
quirements under such parts 25 and 121. 
(D) Representatives of individuals with dis-
abilities with specific knowledge of accessibility 
standards regarding evacuations in emergency 
circumstances. 
(E) Representatives of the senior citizen 
community. 
(F) Representatives of pediatricians. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing the findings 
of the study conducted under subsection (a) and devel-
oping recommendations regarding the improvement of 
the evacuation standards under subsection (b)(1)(B), 
the Committee shall consider the following: 
(A) The recommendations made by any 
prior aviation rulemaking committee regarding 
the evacuation standards described in such parts 
25 and 121.
281 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) Scientific data derived from the study 
conducted under subsection (a). 
(C) Any data gathered from aviation safety 
reporting programs. 
(D) The cost-benefit analysis and risk anal-
ysis of any recommended standards. 
(E) Any other item determined appropriate 
by the Committee. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date on which the Committee submits to the Ad-
ministrator 
the 
recommendations 
under 
subsection 
(b)(1)(B), the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report on— 
(1) the findings of the study conducted under 
subsection (a); 
(2) the recommendations of the Committee under 
subsection (b)(1)(B); and 
(3) the Administrator’s plan, if any, to imple-
ment such recommendations. 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 90 days after sub-
mitting to Congress the report under subsection (c), the Ad-
ministrator shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
implement the recommendations of the Committee that the 
Administrator considers appropriate.
282 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 366. 25-HOUR COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER FOR NEWLY MAN-
UFACTURED AIRCRAFT.—A covered operator may not 
operate a covered aircraft manufactured later than 
the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act unless such aircraft has a cockpit voice re-
corder installed that retains the last 25 hours of re-
corded information using a recorder that meets the 
standards of Technical Standard Order TSO–C123c, 
or any later revision. 
(2) COCKPIT
VOICE
RECORDER
FOR
COVERED 
AIRCRAFT.—Not later than 6 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, a covered operator may not op-
erate a covered aircraft unless such aircraft has a 
cockpit voice recorder installed that retains the last 
25 hours of recorded information using a recorder 
that meets the standards of Technical Standard Order 
TSO–C123c, or any later revision. 
(b) PROHIBITED USE.—The Administrator or any 
covered operator may not use a cockpit voice recorder re-
cording for a certificate action, civil penalty, or discipli-
nary proceedings against a flight crewmember. 
(c) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall—
283 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) issue a final rule to update applicable regu-
lations, as necessary, to conform to the requirements 
of subsection (a)(2); and 
(2) issue a rule to update applicable regulations, 
as necessary, to ensure, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, that any data from a cockpit voice recorder— 
(A) is protected from unlawful or unauthor-
ized disclosure to the public; 
(B) is used exclusively by a Federal agency 
or a foreign accident investigative agency for a 
criminal investigation, aircraft accident, or air-
craft incident investigation; and 
(C) is not deliberately erased or tampered 
with following a National Transportation Safety 
Board reportable event under part 830 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, for which civil 
and criminal penalties may be assessed in ac-
cordance with section 1155 of title 49, United 
States Code, and section 32 of title 18, United 
States Code. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed as rescoping, constraining, or otherwise man-
dating delays to FAA actions in the notice of proposed rule-
making titled ‘‘25–Hour Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Re-
284 
† HR 3935 EAS 
quirements, New Aircraft Production’’, issued on December 
4, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 84090). 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to affect— 
(1) the confidentiality of recording and tran-
scripts under section 1114(c) of title 49, United 
States Code; 
(2) the ban on recording for civil penalty or cer-
tificate under section 121.359(h) of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations; or 
(3) the prohibition against use of data from 
flight operational quality assurance programs for en-
forcement purposes under section 13.401 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘covered air-
craft’’ means— 
(A) an aircraft operated by an air carrier 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations; or 
(B) a transport category aircraft designed 
for operations by an air carrier or foreign air 
carrier type-certificated with a passenger seating 
capacity of 30 or more or an all-cargo or combi 
derivative of such an aircraft.
285 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) COVERED
OPERATOR.—The term ‘‘covered 
operator’’ means the operator of a covered aircraft. 
SEC. 367. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING MANDATED 
CONTENTS OF ONBOARD EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL KITS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) a regularly scheduled panel of experts should 
reexamine and provide an updated list of mandated 
contents of onboard emergency medical kits that is 
thorough and practical, keeping passenger safety and 
well-being paramount; and 
(2) such panel should consider including on the 
list of mandated contents of such medical kits, at a 
minimum, opioid overdose reversal medication. 
SEC. 368. PASSENGER AIRCRAFT FIRST AID AND EMER-
GENCY MEDICAL KIT EQUIPMENT AND TRAIN-
ING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue 
a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding first aid and 
emergency medical kit equipment and training required for 
flight crewmembers, as provided in part 121 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, applicable to all certificate 
holders operating passenger aircraft under such part.
286 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall consider— 
(1) the benefits and costs (including the costs of 
flight diversions and emergency landings) of requir-
ing any new medications or equipment necessary to 
be included in approved emergency medical kits; 
(2) whether the contents of the emergency med-
ical kits include, at a minimum, appropriate medica-
tions and equipment that can practicably be adminis-
tered to address— 
(A) the emergency medical needs of children 
and pregnant women; 
(B) opioid overdose reversal; 
(C) anaphylaxis; and 
(D) cardiac arrest; 
(3) what contents of the emergency medical kits 
should be readily available, to the extent practicable, 
for use by flight crews without prior approval by a 
medical professional. 
(c) REGULAR REVIEW.—Not later than 5 years after 
the issuance of the final rule under subsection (a), and every 
5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall evaluate and re-
vise, if appropriate—
287 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) the first aid and emergency medical kit 
equipment and training required for flight crew-
members; and 
(2) any required training for flight crewmembers 
regarding the content, location, and function of such 
kit. 
SEC. 369. INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY ASSESSMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT MEASURES CAR-
RIED OUT BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES.—Chapter 447 of title 
49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44747. Aviation safety oversight measures carried 
out by foreign countries 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On a regular basis, the Ad-
ministrator, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Transportation and the Secretary of State, shall as-
sess aviation safety oversight measures carried out by 
any foreign country— 
‘‘(A) from which a foreign air carrier is 
conducting foreign air transportation to and 
from the United States;
288 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) from which a foreign air carrier seeks 
to conduct foreign air transportation to and 
from the United States; 
‘‘(C) whose air carriers carry or seek to 
carry the code of a United States air carrier; or 
‘‘(D) as determined appropriate by the Ad-
ministrator. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION
AND
CRITERIA.—In con-
ducting an assessment described in paragraph (1), the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) consult with the appropriate authori-
ties of the government of the foreign country; 
‘‘(B) determine the efficacy with which such 
foreign country carries out and complies with its 
aviation safety oversight responsibilities con-
sistent with— 
‘‘(i) the Convention on International 
Civil Aviation (in this section referred to as 
the ‘Chicago Convention’); 
‘‘(ii) 
international 
aviation 
safety 
standards; and 
‘‘(iii) recommended practices set forth 
by the International Civil Aviation Organi-
zation;
289 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(C) use a standard approach and method-
ology that will result in an analysis of the avia-
tion safety oversight activities of such foreign 
country that are carried out to meet the min-
imum standards contained in Annexes 1, 6, and 
8 to the Chicago Convention in effect on the date 
of the assessment, or any such successor docu-
ments; and 
‘‘(D) identify instances of noncompliance 
pertaining to the aviation safety oversight activi-
ties of such foreign country consistent with the 
Chicago Convention, international aviation safe-
ty standards, and recommended practices set 
forth by the International Civil Aviation Orga-
nization. 
‘‘(3) FINDINGS
OF
NONCOMPLIANCE.—In any 
case in which the assessment described in subsection 
(a)(1) finds an instance of non-compliance, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(A) notify the foreign country that is the 
subject of such finding; 
‘‘(B) not later than 90 days after trans-
mission of such notification, request and initiate 
final discussions with the foreign country to rec-
290 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ommend actions by which the foreign country 
can mitigate the noncompliance; and 
‘‘(C) after the discussions described in sub-
paragraph (B) have concluded, determine wheth-
er or not the noncompliance finding has been 
corrected; 
‘‘(b) UNCORRECTED NON-COMPLIANCE.—If the Admin-
istrator finds that such foreign country has not corrected 
the non-compliance by the close of such final discussions— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator shall notify the Secretary 
of Transportation and the Secretary of State that the 
condition of noncompliance remains; 
‘‘(2) the Administrator, after consulting with in-
forming the Secretary of Transportation and the Sec-
retary of State, shall notify the foreign country of 
such finding; and 
‘‘(3) notwithstanding section 40105(b), the Ad-
ministrator, after consulting with the appropriate 
civil aviation authority of such foreign country and 
notifying the Secretary of Transportation and the 
Secretary of State, may withhold, revoke, or prescribe 
conditions on the operating authority of a foreign air 
carrier that— 
‘‘(A) provides or seeks to provide foreign air 
transportation to and from the United States; or
291 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(B) carries or seeks to carry the code of an 
air carrier. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding subsections (a) 
and (b), the Administrator retains the ability to take imme-
diate safety oversight actions if the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Sec-
retary of State, as needed, determines that a condition ex-
ists that threatens the safety of passengers, aircraft, or crew 
traveling to or from such foreign country. In this event that 
the Administrator makes a determination under this sub-
section, the Administrator shall immediately notify the Sec-
retary of State of such determination so that the Secretary 
of State may issue a travel advisory with respect to such 
foreign country. 
‘‘(d) PUBLIC NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which the 
Administrator provides notification to a foreign coun-
try under subsection (b)(2), the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) recommend the actions necessary to 
bring such foreign country into compliance with 
the international standards contained in the 
Chicago Convention; 
‘‘(B) publish the identity of such foreign 
country on the website of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, in the Federal Register, and
292 
† HR 3935 EAS 
through other mediums appropriate to provide 
notice to the public; and 
‘‘(C) brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on the identity 
of such foreign country and a summary of any 
critical safety information resulting from an as-
sessment described in subsection (a)(1). 
‘‘(2) COMPLIANCE.—If the Administrator finds 
that a foreign country subsequently corrects all out-
standing noncompliances, the Administrator, after 
consulting with the appropriate civil aviation author-
ity of such foreign country and notifying the Sec-
retary of Transportation and the Secretary of State, 
shall take actions as necessary to ensure the updated 
compliance status is reflected, including in the medi-
ums invoked in paragraph (1)(B). 
‘‘(e) ACCURACY OF THE IASA LIST.—A foreign coun-
try that does not have foreign air carrier activity, as de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1), for an extended period of time, 
as determined by the Administrator, shall be removed for 
inactivity from the public listings described in subsection 
(d)(1)(B), after informing the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Secretary of State.
293 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(f) CONSISTENCY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administration shall 
use data, tools, and methods that ensure transparency 
and repeatability of assessments conducted under this 
section. 
‘‘(2) TRAINING.—The Administrator shall ensure 
that Administration personnel are properly and ade-
quately trained to carry out the assessments set forth 
in this section, including with respect to the stand-
ards, methodology, and material used to make deter-
minations under this section.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after through 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the assess-
ments conducted under the amendments made by this sec-
tion, including the results of any corrective actions taken 
by noncompliant foreign countries. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
447 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44747. Aviation safety oversight measures carried out by foreign countries.’’. 
SEC. 370. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENFORCEMENT. 
Section 42121(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended—
294 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) in the subsection heading by striking ‘‘DE-
PARTMENT OF LABOR COMPLAINT PROCEDURE’’ and 
inserting ‘‘DEPARTMENT
OF
LABOR
AND
FEDERAL 
AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COMPLAINT PROCEDURE’’; 
and 
(2) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(5) ENFORCEMENT OF ORDER.—Whenever any 
person has failed to comply with an order issued 
under paragraph (3), the Secretary of Labor and the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion shall consult with each other to determine the 
most appropriate action to be taken, in which— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary of Labor may file a civil 
action in the United States district court for the 
district in which the violation was found to 
occur to enforce such order, for which, in actions 
brought under this paragraph, the district courts 
shall have jurisdiction to grant all appropriate 
relief including, injunctive relief and compen-
satory damages; and 
‘‘(B) the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration may assess a civil penalty 
pursuant to section 46301.’’.
295 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 371. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTEC-
TION PROGRAM VIOLATIONS. 
Section 46301(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ‘‘section 42121,’’ before ‘‘chapter 
441’’. 
SEC. 372. ENHANCED QUALIFICATION PROGRAM FOR RE-
STRICTED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CER-
TIFICATE. 
(a) PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall establish the requirements for a program to be 
known as the Enhanced Qualification Program (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘Program’’) under 
which— 
(A) qualified air carriers are certified by 
the Administrator to provide enhanced training 
for eligible pilots seeking to obtain restricted air-
line transport certificates, either directly by the 
air carrier or by a certified training institution 
under part 141 or part 142 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations, that is under contract with 
the qualified air carrier; and 
(B) qualified instructors and evaluators 
provide enhanced training to eligible pilots pur-
296 
† HR 3935 EAS 
suant to the curriculum requirements under 
paragraph (4). 
(2) 
QUALIFIED
INSTRUCTORS
AND
EVAL-
UATORS.—Under the Program— 
(A) all testing and training shall be per-
formed by qualified instructors; and 
(B) all evaluations shall be performed by 
qualified evaluators. 
(3) PILOT
ASSESSMENT.—Under the Program, 
the Administrator shall establish guidelines for an as-
sessment that prospective pilots are required to pass 
in order to participate in the training under the Pro-
gram. Such assessment shall include an evaluation of 
the pilot’s aptitude, ability, and readiness for oper-
ation of transport category aircraft. 
(4) PROGRAM
CURRICULUM.—Under the Pro-
gram, the Administrator shall establish requirements 
for the curriculum to be provided under the Program. 
Such curriculum shall include— 
(A) a nationally standardized, non-air car-
rier or aircraft-specific training curriculum 
which shall— 
(i) ensure prospective pilots have ap-
propriate knowledge at the commercial pilot
297 
† HR 3935 EAS 
certificate, multi-engine rating, and instru-
ment rating level; 
(ii) introduce the pilots to concepts as-
sociated with air carrier operations; 
(iii) meet all requirements for an ATP 
Certification Training Program under part 
61.156 or part 142 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations; and 
(iv) include a course of instruction de-
signed to prepare the prospective pilot to 
take the ATP Multiengine Airplane Knowl-
edge Test; 
(B) 
an 
aircraft-specific 
training 
cur-
riculum, developed by the air carrier using objec-
tives and learning standards developed by the 
Administrator, which shall— 
(i) only be administered to prospective 
pilots who have completed the requirements 
under subparagraph (A); 
(ii) resemble a type rating training 
curriculum that includes aircraft ground 
and flight training that culminates in— 
(I) the completion of a maneuvers 
evaluation that incorporates elements 
of a type rating practical test; or
298 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(II) at the discretion of the air 
carrier, an actual type rating practical 
test resulting in the issuance of a type 
rating for the specific aircraft; and 
(iii) ensure the prospective pilot has 
an adequate understanding and working 
knowledge of transport category aircraft au-
tomation and autoflight systems; and 
(C) air carrier-specific procedures using ob-
jectives and learning standards developed by the 
Administrator to further expand on the concepts 
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), which 
shall— 
(i) only be administered to prospective 
pilots who have completed requirements 
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) and an 
ATP Multiengine Airplane Knowledge Test; 
(ii) include instructions on air carrier 
checklist usage and standard operating pro-
cedures; and 
(iii) integrate aircraft-specific training 
in appropriate flight simulation training 
devices representing the specific aircraft 
type, including complete crew resource man-
agement and scenario-based training.
299 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(5) APPLICATION
AND
CERTIFICATION.—Under 
the Program, the Administrator shall establish a 
process for air carriers to apply for training program 
certification. Such process shall include a review to 
ensure that the training provided by the air carrier 
will meet the requirements of this section, including— 
(A) the assessment requirements under 
paragraph (3); 
(B) the curriculum requirements under 
paragraph (4); 
(C) the requirements for qualified instruc-
tors under subsection (d)(5); and 
(D) the requirements for eligible pilots 
under subsection (d)(2). 
(6) DATA.—Under the Program, the Adminis-
trator shall require that each qualified air carrier 
participating in the Program collect and submit to 
the Administrator such data from the Program that 
the Administrator determines is appropriate for the 
Administrator to provide for oversight of the Pro-
gram. 
(7) REGULAR INSPECTION.—Under the Program, 
the Administrator shall provide for the regular in-
spection of qualified air carriers certified under para-
300 
† HR 3935 EAS 
graph (5) to ensure that the air carrier continues to 
meet the requirements under the Program. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator may issue reg-
ulations or guidance as determined necessary to carry out 
the Program. 
(c) CLARIFICATION REGARDING REQUIRED FLIGHT 
HOURS.—The provisions of this section shall have no effect 
on the total flight hours required under part 61.159 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, to receive an airline trans-
port pilot certificate, or the Administrator’s authority 
under section 217(d) of the Airline Safety and Federal 
Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (49 U.S.C. 
44701 note) (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
section). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘air carrier’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 40102 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) ELIGIBLE PILOT.—The term ‘‘eligible pilot’’ 
means a pilot that— 
(A) has— 
(i) graduated from a United States 
Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training 
school;
301 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(ii) obtained a degree with an aviation 
major from an institution of higher edu-
cation (as defined in part 61.1 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations) that has been 
issued a letter of authorization by the Ad-
ministrator under part 61.169 of such title 
14; or 
(iii) completed flight and ground 
training for a commercial pilot certificate 
in the airplane category and an airplane 
instrument rating at a certified training 
institution under part 141 of such title 14; 
(B) has a current commercial pilot certifi-
cate under part 61.123 of such title 14, with air-
plane category multi-engine and instrument rat-
ings under part 61.129 of such title 14; and 
(C) meets the pilot assessment requirements 
under subsection (a)(3). 
(3) QUALIFIED AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied air carrier’’ means an air carrier that has been 
issued a part 119 operating certificate for conducting 
operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(4) QUALIFIED EVALUATOR.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied evaluator’’ means an individual that meets the
302 
† HR 3935 EAS 
requirements for a training center evaluator under 
part 142.55 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
or for check airmen under part 121.411 of such title. 
(5) QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied instructor’’ means an individual that— 
(A) is qualified in accordance with the min-
imum training requirements for an ATP Certifi-
cation Training Program under paragraphs (1) 
through (3) of part 121.410(b) of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
(B) if the instructor is a flight instructor, 
is 
qualified 
in 
accordance 
with 
part 
121.410(b)(4) of such title; 
(C) if the instructor is administering type 
rating practical tests, is qualified as an appro-
priate examiner for such rating; 
(D) received training in threat and error 
management, facilitation, and risk mitigation 
determined appropriate by the Administrator; 
and 
(E) meets any other requirement determined 
appropriate by the Administrator. 
Subtitle B—Aviation Cybersecurity 
SEC. 391. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following:
303 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) Congress has tasked the FAA with responsi-
bility for securing the national airspace system, in-
cluding the air traffic control system and other air 
navigation services, civil aircraft, and aeronautical 
products and articles through safety regulation and 
oversight. These mandates have included protecting 
against cyber threats affecting aviation safety or the 
Administration’s provision of safe, secure, and effi-
cient air navigation services and airspace manage-
ment. 
(2) In 2016, Congress passed the FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016, pursuant to which 
the FAA enhanced the cybersecurity of the national 
airspace system by— 
(A) developing a cybersecurity strategic 
plan; 
(B) coordinating with other Federal agen-
cies to identify cyber vulnerabilities; 
(C) developing a cyber threat model; and 
(D) completing a comprehensive, strategic 
policy framework to identify and mitigate cyber-
security risks to the air traffic control system. 
(3) In 2018, Congress passed the FAA Reauthor-
ization Act of 2018 which—
304 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) authorized funding for the construction 
of FAA facilities dedicated to improving the cy-
bersecurity of the national airspace system; 
(B) required the FAA to review and update 
its comprehensive, strategic policy framework for 
cybersecurity to assess the degree to which the 
framework identifies and addresses known cyber-
security risks associated with the aviation sys-
tem, and evaluate existing short- and long-term 
objectives for addressing cybersecurity risks to 
the national airspace system; 
(C) created a Chief Technology Officer posi-
tion within the FAA to be responsible for, among 
other things, coordinating the implementation, 
operation, maintenance, and cybersecurity of 
technology programs relating to the air traffic 
control system with the aviation industry and 
other Federal agencies; and 
(D) directed the National Academy of 
Sciences to study the cybersecurity workforce of 
the FAA in order to develop recommendations to 
increase the size, quality, and diversity of such 
workforce. 
(4) Congress has declared that the FAA is the 
primary Federal agency to assess and address the
305 
† HR 3935 EAS 
threats posed from cyber incidents relating to FAA- 
provided air traffic control and air navigation serv-
ices and the threats posed from cyber incidents relat-
ing to civil aircraft, aeronautical products and arti-
cles, aviation networks, aviation systems, services, 
and operations, and the aerospace industry affecting 
aviation safety or the provision of safe, secure, and ef-
ficient air navigation services and airspace manage-
ment by the Administration. 
SEC. 392. AEROSPACE PRODUCT SAFETY. 
(a) CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS.—Section 44701(a) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘cybersecu-
rity,’’ after ‘‘quality of work,’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘cybersecurity and’’ after 
‘‘standards for’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘procedure’’ and inserting 
‘‘procedures’’. 
(b) EXCLUSIVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Section 
44701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) EXCLUSIVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law and except as provided 
in section 40131, the Administrator, in consultation with
306 
† HR 3935 EAS 
the heads of such other agencies as the Administrator deter-
mines necessary, shall have exclusive authority to prescribe 
regulations for purposes of assuring the cybersecurity of 
civil aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances.’’. 
SEC. 393. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULA-
TIONS, POLICY, AND GUIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 40131. National airspace system cyber threat man-
agement process 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, in consultation with the 
heads of other agencies as the Administrator determines 
necessary, shall establish a national airspace system cyber 
threat management process to protect the national airspace 
system cyber environment, including the safety, security, 
and efficiency of air navigation services provided by the 
Administration. 
‘‘(b) ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED.—In establishing the 
national airspace system cyber threat management process 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at a min-
imum— 
‘‘(1) monitor the national airspace system for 
significant cybersecurity incidents;
307 
† HR 3935 EAS 
‘‘(2) in consultation with appropriate Federal 
agencies, evaluate the cyber threat landscape for the 
national airspace system, including updating such 
evaluation on both annual and threat-based timelines; 
‘‘(3) conduct national airspace system cyber in-
cident analyses; 
‘‘(4) create a cyber common operating picture for 
the national airspace system cyber environment; 
‘‘(5) coordinate national airspace system signifi-
cant cyber incident responses with other appropriate 
Federal agencies; 
‘‘(6) track significant cyber incident detection, 
response, mitigation implementation, recovery, and 
closure; 
‘‘(7) establish a process, or utilize existing proc-
esses, to share relevant significant cyber incident data 
related to the national airspace system; 
‘‘(8) facilitate significant cybersecurity report-
ing, including through the Cybersecurity and Infra-
structure Agency; and 
‘‘(9) consider any other matter the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CYBER COMMON OPERATING PICTURE.—The 
term ‘cyber common operating picture’ means the cor-
308 
† HR 3935 EAS 
relation of a detected cyber incident or cyber threat 
in the national airspace system and other operational 
anomalies to provide a holistic view of potential cause 
and impact. 
‘‘(2) CYBER ENVIRONMENT.—The term ‘cyber en-
vironment’ means the information environment con-
sisting of the interdependent networks of information 
technology infrastructures and resident data, includ-
ing the internet, telecommunications networks, com-
puter systems, and embedded processors and control-
lers. 
‘‘(3) CYBER INCIDENT.—The term ‘cyber inci-
dent’ means an action that creates noticeable deg-
radation, disruption, or destruction to the cyber envi-
ronment and causes a safety or other negative impact 
on operations of— 
‘‘(A) the national airspace system; 
‘‘(B) civil aircraft; or 
‘‘(C) aeronautical products and articles. 
‘‘(4) CYBER THREAT.—The term ‘cyber threat’ 
means the threat of an action that, if carried out, 
would constitute a cyber incident or an electronic at-
tack. 
‘‘(5) ELECTRONIC ATTACK.—The term ‘electronic 
attack’ means the use of electromagnetic spectrum en-
309 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ergy to impede operations in the cyber environment, 
including through techniques such as jamming or 
spoofing. 
‘‘(6) SIGNIFICANT CYBER INCIDENT.—The term 
‘significant cyber incident’ means a cyber incident, or 
a group of related cyber incidents, that the Adminis-
trator determines is likely to result in demonstrable 
harm to the national airspace system of the United 
States.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘40131. National airspace system cyber threat management process.’’. 
SEC. 394. SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS. 
Section 506(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘consider, where appropriate, revising’’ and 
inserting ‘‘revise, as appropriate, existing’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(3) in paragraph (2) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) to establish a process and timeline by which 
software-based systems and equipment, including air-
310 
† HR 3935 EAS 
craft flight critical systems of aircraft operated under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, can 
be regularly screened to attempt to determine whether 
the software-based systems and equipment have been 
compromised by unauthorized external or internal ac-
cess.’’. 
SEC. 395. CIVIL AVIATION CYBERSECURITY RULEMAKING 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene 
an aviation rulemaking committee on civil aircraft cyberse-
curity to conduct reviews (as segmented under subsection 
(c)) and develop findings and recommendations on cyberse-
curity standards for civil aircraft, aircraft ground support 
information systems, airports, air traffic control mission 
systems, and aeronautical products and articles. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) for each segmented review conducted by the 
committee convened under subsection (a), submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report based 
on the findings of such review; and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of sub-
mission of a report under paragraph (1) and, in con-
sultation with other agencies as the Administrator de-
311 
† HR 3935 EAS 
termines necessary, for consensus recommendations 
reached by such aviation rulemaking committee— 
(A) undertake a rulemaking, if appropriate, 
based on such recommendations; and 
(B) submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a supplemental report with expla-
nations for each consensus recommendation not 
addressed, if applicable, by a rulemaking under 
subparagraph (A). 
(c) SEGMENTATION.—In tasking the aviation rule-
making committee with developing findings and rec-
ommendations relating to aviation cybersecurity, the Ad-
ministrator shall direct such committee to segment and se-
quence work by the topic or subject matter of regulation, 
including by directing the committee to establish subgroups 
to consider different topics and subject matters. 
(d) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under subsection (a) shall consist of mem-
bers appointed by the Administrator, including representa-
tives of— 
(1) aircraft manufacturers, to include at least 1 
manufacturer of transport category aircraft; 
(2) air carriers; 
(3) unmanned aircraft system stakeholders, in-
cluding operators, service suppliers, and manufactur-
312 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ers of hardware components and software applica-
tions; 
(4) manufacturers of powered-lift aircraft; 
(5) airports; 
(6) original equipment manufacturers of ground 
and space-based aviation infrastructure; 
(7) aviation safety experts with specific knowl-
edge of aircraft cybersecurity; and 
(8) a nonprofit which operates 1 or more feder-
ally funded research and development centers with 
specific knowledge of aviation and cybersecurity. 
(e) MEMBER ELIGIBILITY.—Prior to a member’s ap-
pointment under subsection (c), the Administrator shall es-
tablish appropriate requirements related to nondisclosure, 
background investigations, security clearances, or other 
screening mechanisms for applicable members of the avia-
tion rulemaking committee who require access to sensitive 
security information or other protected information rel-
evant to the member’s duties on the rulemaking committee. 
Members shall protect the sensitive security information in 
accordance with part 1520 of title 49, Code of Federal Regu-
lations. 
(f) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION.—The members of 
the aviation rulemaking committee convened under sub-
section (a) shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits
313 
† HR 3935 EAS 
from the Government by reason of their service on such com-
mittee. 
(g) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator may direct 
such committee to consider— 
(1) existing aviation cybersecurity standards, 
regulations, policies, and guidance, including those 
from other Federal agencies, and the need to har-
monize or deconflict proposed and existing standards, 
regulations, policies, and guidance; 
(2) threat- and risk-based security approaches 
used by the aviation industry, including the assess-
ment of the potential costs and benefits of cybersecu-
rity actions; 
(3) data gathered from cybersecurity or safety re-
porting; 
(4) the diversity of operations and systems on 
aircraft and amongst air carriers; 
(5) design approval holder aircraft network secu-
rity guidance for operators; 
(6) FAA services, aviation industry services, and 
aircraft use of positioning, navigation, and timing 
data in the context of Executive Order No. 13905, as 
in effect on the date of enactment of this Act; 
(7) updates needed to airworthiness regulations 
and systems safety assessment methods used to show
314 
† HR 3935 EAS 
compliance with airworthiness requirements for de-
sign, function, installation, and certification of civil 
aircraft, aeronautical products and articles, and air-
craft networks; 
(8) updates needed to air carrier operating and 
maintenance regulations to ensure continued adher-
ence with processes and procedures established in air-
worthiness regulations to provide cybersecurity pro-
tections for aircraft systems, including for continued 
airworthiness; 
(9) policies and procedures to coordinate with 
other Federal agencies, including intelligence agen-
cies, and the aviation industry in sharing informa-
tion and analyses related to cyber threats to civil air-
craft information, data, networks, systems, services, 
operations, and technology and aeronautical products 
and articles; 
(10) the response of the Administrator and avia-
tion industry to, and recovery from, cyber incidents, 
including by coordinating with other Federal agen-
cies, including intelligence agencies; 
(11) processes for members of the aviation indus-
try to voluntarily report to the FAA cyber incidents 
that may affect aviation safety in a manner that pro-
315 
† HR 3935 EAS 
tects trade secrets and confidential business informa-
tion; 
(12) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
craft networks, aircraft systems, and aeronautical 
products and articles to protect aviation safety, in-
cluding airworthiness; 
(13) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
ports relative to the size and nature of airside oper-
ations of such airports to ensure aviation safety; 
(14) minimum standards for protecting civil air-
craft, aeronautical products and articles, aviation 
networks, aviation systems, services, and operations 
from cyber threats and cyber incidents; 
(15) international collaboration, where appro-
priate and consistent with the interests of aviation 
safety in air commerce and national security, with 
other civil aviation authorities, international avia-
tion and standards organizations, and any other ap-
propriate entities to protect civil aviation from cyber 
incidents and cyber threats; 
(16) activities of the Administrator under section 
506 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 44704 note) (as amended by section 394); and 
(17) any other matter the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate.
316 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions set forth in section 
40131 of title 49, United States Code (as added by this sub-
title), shall apply to this section. 
SEC. 396. GAO REPORT ON CYBERSECURITY OF COMMER-
CIAL AVIATION AVIONICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall con-
duct a review on the consideration, identification, and in-
clusion of aircraft cybersecurity into the strategic frame-
work of principles and policies developed pursuant to sec-
tion 2111 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act 
of 2016 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note). 
(b) CONTENTS.—In carrying out the review under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall assess— 
(1) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity risks and 
vulnerabilities are defined, identified, and accounted 
for in the comprehensive and strategic framework de-
scribed in subsection (a), including how the imple-
mentation of such framework protects and defends 
FAA networks and systems to mitigate risks to FAA 
missions and service delivery; 
(2) how onboard aircraft cybersecurity, particu-
larly of aircraft avionics, is considered, incorporated, 
and prioritized for mitigation in the cybersecurity 
strategy, including pursuant to the framework de-
scribed in paragraph (1);
317 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) how the Transportation Security Agency and 
FAA differentiate and manage the roles and respon-
sibilities for the cybersecurity of aircraft and ground 
systems; 
(4) how cybersecurity vulnerabilities of aircraft 
and ground systems are considered, incorporated, and 
prioritized for mitigation in the cybersecurity strat-
egy; and 
(5) the budgets of the parties responsible for im-
plementing the strategy framework for aviation secu-
rity, as identified in subsection (a), to satisfy mitiga-
tion requirements necessary to secure the aviation eco-
system from onboard cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 
(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall submit a report containing the results of the re-
view required by this section to— 
(1) the appropriate committees of Congress; 
(2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(3) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
318 
† HR 3935 EAS 
TITLE IV—AEROSPACE 
WORKFORCE 
SEC. 401. REPEAL OF DUPLICATIVE OR OBSOLETE WORK-
FORCE PROGRAMS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Sections 44510 and 44515 of title 49, 
United States Code, are repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for chap-
ter 445 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by strik-
ing the items relating to sections 44510 and 44515. 
SEC. 402. CIVIL AIRMEN STATISTICS. 
(a) PUBLICATION FREQUENCY.—The Administrator 
shall publish the study commonly referred to as the ‘‘U.S. 
Civil Airmen Statistics’’ on a monthly basis. 
(b) PRESENTATION
OF DATA.—The Administrator 
shall make the data from the study under subsection (a) 
publicly available on the website of the Administration in 
a user-friendly, downloadable format. 
(c) EXPANDED DATA CRITERIA.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall ensure that data sets and tables published as 
part of the study described in subsection (a) display infor-
mation relating to the sex of certificate holders in more in-
stances. 
(d) HISTORICAL DATA.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
319 
† HR 3935 EAS 
make all previously published annual data from the study 
described in subsection (a) available on the website of the 
Administration. 
SEC. 403. BESSIE COLEMAN WOMEN IN AVIATION ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall estab-
lish the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Com-
mittee (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The Committee shall advise the Sec-
retary and the Administrator on matters and policies re-
lated to promoting the recruitment, retention, employment, 
education, training, career advancement, and well-being of 
women in the aviation industry and aviation-focused Fed-
eral civil service positions. 
(c) FORM OF DIRECTIVES.—All activities carried out 
by the Committee, including special committees, shall be in 
response to written terms of work from the Secretary or 
taskings approved by a majority of the voting members of 
the Committee and may not duplicate the objectives of the 
Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee. 
(d) FUNCTIONS.—In carrying out the directives de-
scribed in subsection (c), the functions of the Committee are 
as follows:
320 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) Foster industry collaboration in an open and 
transparent manner by engaging, as prescribed by 
this section, with representatives of the private sector 
associated with an entity described in subsection 
(e)(1)(B). 
(2) Make recommendations for strategic objec-
tives, priorities, and policies that would improve the 
recruitment, retention, training, and career advance-
ment of women in aviation professions. 
(3) Evaluate opportunities for the Administra-
tion to improve the recruitment and retention of 
women in the Administration. 
(4) Periodically review and update the rec-
ommendations directed to the FAA and non-FAA en-
tities produced by the Advisory Board created pursu-
ant to section 612 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 
2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) to improve the imple-
mentation of such recommendations. 
(5) Coordinate with the Office of Civil Rights of 
the Department of Transportation and the Federal 
Women’s Program of the FAA to ensure directives de-
scribed in subsection (c) do not duplicate objectives of 
such office or program. 
(e) MEMBERSHIP.—
321 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Committee shall be 
composed of the following members: 
(A) The Administrator, or the designee of 
the Administrator. 
(B) At least 25 individuals, appointed by 
the Secretary, representing the following: 
(i) Aircraft manufacturers and aero-
space companies. 
(ii) Public and private aviation labor 
organizations, 
including 
collective 
bar-
gaining representatives of— 
(I) aviation safety inspectors and 
safety engineers of the FAA; 
(II) air traffic controllers; 
(III) certified aircraft mainte-
nance technicians; and 
(IV) commercial airline crew-
members. 
(iii) General aviation operators. 
(iv) Air carriers. 
(v) Business aviation operators, in-
cluding powered-lift operators. 
(vi) Unmanned aircraft systems opera-
tors.
322 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(vii) Aviation safety management ex-
perts. 
(viii) Aviation maintenance, repair, 
and overhaul entities. 
(ix) Airport owners, operators, and 
employees. 
(x) Institutions of higher education (as 
defined in section 101 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), a 
postsecondary vocational institution (as de-
fined in section 102(c) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), or a 
high school or secondary school (as such 
terms are defined in section 8101 of the Ele-
mentary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)). 
(xi) A flight school that provides flight 
training, as defined in part 61 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or that holds 
a pilot school certificate under part 141 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(xii) Aviation maintenance technician 
schools governed under part 147 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.
323 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(xiii) Engineering business associa-
tions. 
(xiv) Civil Air Patrol. 
(xv) Nonprofit organizations within 
the aviation industry. 
(2) NONVOTING MEMBERS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the mem-
bers appointed under paragraph (1), the Com-
mittee shall be composed of not more than 5 non-
voting members appointed by the Secretary from 
among officers or employees of the FAA, at least 
1 of which shall be an employee of the Office of 
Civil Rights of the FAA. 
(B) ADDITIONAL
NONVOTING
MEMBERS.— 
The Secretary may invite representatives from 
the Department of Education and Department of 
Labor to serve as nonvoting members on the 
Committee. 
(C) 
DUTIES.—The 
nonvoting 
members 
may— 
(i) take part in deliberations of the 
Committee; and 
(ii) provide subject matter expertise 
with respect to reports and recommenda-
tions of the Committee.
324 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(D) LIMITATION.—The nonvoting members 
may not represent any stakeholder interest other 
than that of the respective Federal agency of the 
member. 
(3) TERMS.—Each voting member and non-
voting member of the Committee appointed by the 
Secretary shall be appointed for a term that expires 
not later than the date on which the authorization of 
the Committee expires under subsection (k). 
(4) COMMITTEE
CHARACTERISTICS.—The Com-
mittee shall have the following characteristics: 
(A) The ability to obtain necessary informa-
tion from additional experts in the aviation and 
aerospace communities. 
(B) A membership that enables the Com-
mittee to have substantive discussions and reach 
consensus on issues in a timely manner. 
(C) Appropriate expertise, including exper-
tise in human resources, human capital manage-
ment, policy, labor relations, employment train-
ing, workforce development, and youth outreach. 
(5) DATE.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
make the appointments described in this subsection. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—
325 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall select a 
chairperson from among the voting members of the 
Committee. 
(2) TERM.—The Chairperson shall serve a 2-year 
term. 
(g) MEETINGS.— 
(1) FREQUENCY.—The Committee shall meet at 
least twice each year at the call of the Chairperson or 
the Secretary. 
(2) PUBLIC ATTENDANCE.—The meetings of the 
Committee shall be open and accessible to the public. 
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—The Secretary 
shall furnish the Committee with logistical and ad-
ministrative support to enable the Committee to per-
form the duties of the Committee. 
(h) SPECIAL COMMITTEES.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Committee may es-
tablish special committees composed of industry rep-
resentatives, members of the public, labor representa-
tives, and other relevant parties in complying with 
the consultation and participation requirements 
under subsection (d). 
(2) APPLICABLE LAW.—Chapter 10 of title 5, 
United States Code, shall not apply to a special com-
mittee established by the Committee.
326 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(i) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) NO COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(A) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member 
of the Committee who is not an officer or em-
ployee of the Government shall serve without 
compensation. 
(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Committee who is an officer or employee of 
the Federal Government shall serve without com-
pensation in addition to the compensation re-
ceived for the services of the member as an officer 
or employee of the Federal Government. 
(2) DEATH OR RESIGNATION.—If a member of 
the Committee dies or resigns during the term of serv-
ice of such member, the Secretary shall designate a 
successor for the unexpired term of such member. 
(j) REPORTS.— 
(1) TASK REPORTS.—The Committee shall sub-
mit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees 
of Congress annual reports detailing the completion of 
each directive summarizing the— 
(A) findings and associated recommenda-
tions of the Committee for any legislative and 
administrative actions the Committee considers
327 
† HR 3935 EAS 
appropriate to improve the advancement of 
women in aviation; and 
(B) planned activities of the Committee, as 
directed by the Secretary or approved by a ma-
jority of voting members of the Committee, and 
proposed terms of work to fulfill each activity. 
(2) ADDITIONAL REPORTS.—The Committee may 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, the 
Secretary, and the Administrator additional reports 
and recommendations related to education, training, 
recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in 
the aviation industry as the Committee determines 
appropriate. 
(k) SUNSET.—The authorization of the Committee 
shall expire on October 1, 2028. 
SEC. 404. FAA ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH 
HBCUS AND MSIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator— 
(1) shall continue— 
(A) to partner with and conduct outreach to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 
minority serving institutions to promote aware-
ness of educational and career opportunities, in-
cluding the Educational Partnership Initiative
328 
† HR 3935 EAS 
of the FAA, and develop curriculum related to 
aerospace, aviation, and air traffic control; and 
(B) operation of the Minority Serving Insti-
tutions Internship Program; and 
(2) may— 
(A) make internship placements under the 
Minority Serving Institutions Internship Pro-
gram 
available 
during 
academic 
sessions 
throughout the year; and 
(B) extend an internship placement under 
the Minority Serving Institutions Internship 
Program for a student beyond a single academic 
session. 
(b) PROGRAM DATA.—In carrying out the Minority 
Serving Institutions Internship Program, the Adminis-
trator shall track data, including annual metrics meas-
uring the following with respect to such Program: 
(1) The total number of applicants. 
(2) The total number of applicants offered an in-
ternship and the total number of applicants who ac-
cept an internship. 
(3) The line of business in which each intern is 
placed. 
(4) The conversion rate of interns in the Pro-
gram who are hired as full-time FAA employees.
329 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(c) MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘minority serving institution’’ means 
an institution described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of 
section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
SEC. 405. AIRMAN KNOWLEDGE TESTING WORKING GROUP. 
(a) WORKING GROUP.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall task 
the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to establish 
a working group to assess and evaluate the appropriateness 
of allowing a high school student, upon successful comple-
tion of an aviation maintenance curriculum, to take the 
general written knowledge portion of the mechanic exam de-
scribed in section 65.75 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, at an FAA-approved testing center. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee tasks the work-
ing group under subsection (a), the working group shall 
submit to the Administrator a final report with relevant 
findings and recommendations. 
(c) HIGH SCHOOL DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘high school’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
330 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 406. AIRMAN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall use the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Airman Certifi-
cation System Working Group (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Working Group’’) to review airman certification 
standards and ensure that airman proficiency and knowl-
edge correlates and corresponds to regulations, procedures, 
equipment, aviation infrastructure, and safety trends at the 
time of such review. 
(b) DUTIES.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Working Group shall— 
(1) obtain industry recommendations on main-
taining and updating airman certification standards, 
including guidance documents and airman tests; 
(2) ensure tasks carried out by the Working 
Group are addressed and completed in a timely and 
efficient manner; and 
(3) recommend to the Administrator a means by 
which the FAA may communicate to industry the 
process for establishing, updating, and maintaining 
airman certification standards, including relevant 
guidance documents, handbooks, and airman test ma-
terials. 
SEC. 407. AIRMAN’S MEDICAL BILL OF RIGHTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—
331 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(1) DEVELOPMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall develop a document (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights’’) detailing 
the rights of an individual before, during, and after 
a medical examination conducted by an Aviation 
Medical Examiner. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The Airman’s Medical Bill of 
Rights required under paragraph (1) shall, at a min-
imum, contain information about the right of an in-
dividual to— 
(A) bring a trusted companion or request to 
have a chaperone present for a medical examina-
tion; 
(B) terminate an exam in accordance with 
guidelines from the Administrator for appro-
priately terminating such exam; 
(C) receive medical examination with re-
spect and recognition of the dignity of the indi-
vidual; 
(D) be assured of privacy and confiden-
tiality; 
(E) select an Aviation Medical Examiner of 
the choice of the individual, as long as the Avia-
332 
† HR 3935 EAS 
tion Medical Examiner has the required designa-
tions; 
(F) privacy when changing, undressing, 
and using the restroom; 
(G) ask questions about FAA medical stand-
ards and the applicability to the current health 
status of the individual; 
(H) report an incident of misconduct by an 
Aviation Medical Examiner to the appropriate 
authorities, including to the State licensing 
board of the Aviation Medical Examiner or the 
FAA; 
(I) report to the Administrator an allega-
tion regarding alleged Aviation Medical Exam-
iner misconduct without fear of retaliation or 
negative action relating to an airman certificate 
of the individual; and 
(J) be advised of any known conflicts of in-
terest an Aviation Medical Examiner may have 
with respect to the medical examination of the 
individual. 
(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Airman’s Med-
ical Bill of Rights required under paragraph (1) shall 
be—
333 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) made available to, and acknowledged 
by, an individual in the MedXpress system (or 
any successor system); 
(B) made available in a hard-copy format 
by an Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of 
exam upon request by an individual; and 
(C) displayed in a common space in the of-
fice of the Aviation Medical Examiner. 
(b) EXPECTATIONS FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall develop a simplified document explaining the 
standard procedures performed during a medical ex-
amination conducted by an Aviation Medical Exam-
iner. 
(2) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The document re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall be— 
(A) made available to, and acknowledged 
by, an individual in the MedXpress system (or 
any successor system); 
(B) made available in a hard-copy format 
by an Aviation Medical Examiner at the time of 
exam upon request by an individual; and 
(C) displayed in a common space in the of-
fice of the Aviation Medical Examiner.
334 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 408. IMPROVED DESIGNEE MISCONDUCT REPORTING 
PROCESS. 
(a) IMPROVED DESIGNEE MISCONDUCT REPORTING 
PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall establish a streamlined process for individuals 
involved in incidents of alleged misconduct by a des-
ignee to report such incidents in a manner that pro-
tects the privacy and confidentiality of such individ-
uals. 
(2) PUBLIC ACCESS TO REPORTING PROCESS.— 
The process for reporting alleged misconduct by a des-
ignee shall be made available to the public on the 
website of the Administration, including— 
(A) the designee locator search webpage; and 
(B) the webpage of the Office of Audit and 
Evaluation of the FAA. 
(3) 
OBLIGATION
TO
REPORT
CRIMINAL 
CHARGES.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise 
the orders and policies governing the Designee Man-
agement System to clarify that designees are obligated 
to report any arrest, indictment, or conviction for 
violation of a local, State, or Federal law within a 
period of time specified by the Administrator.
335 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) AUDIT OF REPORTING PROCESS BY INSPEC-
TOR GENERAL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date on which the Administrator final-
izes the update of the reporting process under 
paragraph (1), the inspector general of the De-
partment of Transportation shall conduct an 
audit of such reporting process. 
(B) CONTENTS.—In conducting the audit of 
the reporting process described in subparagraph 
(A), the inspector general shall, at a minimum— 
(i) review the efforts of the Administra-
tion to improve the reporting process and 
solutions developed to respond to and inves-
tigate allegations of misconduct; 
(ii) analyze reports of misconduct 
brought to the Administrator prior to any 
changes made to the reporting process as a 
result of the enactment of this Act, includ-
ing the ultimate outcomes of those reports 
and whether any reports resulted in the Ad-
ministrator taking action against the ac-
cused designee; 
(iii) determine whether the reporting 
process results in appropriate action, in-
336 
† HR 3935 EAS 
cluding reviewing, investigating, and clos-
ing out reports; and 
(iv) if applicable, make recommenda-
tions to improve the reporting process. 
(C) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of initiation of the audit described in 
subparagraph (A), the inspector general shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report on the results of such audit, including 
findings and recommendations. 
(b) DESIGNEE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘designee’’ means an individual who has been designated 
to act as a representative of the Administrator as— 
(1) an Aviation Medical Examiner (as described 
in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions); 
(2) a pilot examiner (as described in section 
183.23 of such title); or 
(3) a technical personnel examiner (as described 
in section 183.25 of such title). 
SEC. 409. REPORT ON SAFE UNIFORM OPTIONS FOR CER-
TAIN AVIATION EMPLOYEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall review 
whether air carriers operating under part 121 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and repair stations certifi-
337 
† HR 3935 EAS 
cated under part 145 of such title have in place uniform 
policies and uniform offerings that ensure pregnant employ-
ees can perform required duties safely. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult 
with air carriers and repair stations described in subsection 
(a) and employees of such air carriers and such stations 
who are required to adhere to a uniform policy. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the re-
view required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 410. HUMAN FACTORS PROFESSIONALS. 
The Administrator shall take such actions as may be 
necessary to establish a new work code for human factors 
professionals who— 
(1) perform work involving the design and test-
ing of technologies, processes, and systems which re-
quire effective and safe human performance; 
(2) generate and apply theories, principles, prac-
tical concepts, systems, and processes related to the 
design and testing of technologies, systems, and train-
ing programs to support and evaluate human per-
formance in work contexts; and
338 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(3) meet education or experience requirements as 
determined by the Administrator. 
SEC. 411. AEROMEDICAL INNOVATION AND MODERNIZA-
TION WORKING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish a working group (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘working group’’) to review the medical processes, policies, 
and procedures of the Administration and to make rec-
ommendations to the Administrator on modernizing such 
processes, policies, and procedures to ensure timely and effi-
cient certification of airmen. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The working group shall con-
sist of— 
(A) 2 co-chairs described in paragraph (2); 
and 
(B) not less than 15 individuals appointed 
by the Administrator, each of whom shall have 
knowledge or a background in aerospace medi-
cine, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, or inter-
nal medicine. 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—The working group shall be co- 
chaired by—
339 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(A) the Federal Air Surgeon of the FAA; 
and 
(B) a member described under paragraph 
(1)(A) to be selected by members of the working 
group. 
(3) PREFERENCE.—The Administrator, in ap-
pointing members pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), 
shall give preference to— 
(A) Aviation Medical Examiners (as de-
scribed in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations); 
(B) licensed medical physicians; 
(C) practitioners holding a pilot certificate; 
and 
(D) individuals having demonstrated re-
search and expertise in aeromedical research or 
sciences. 
(c) ACTIVITIES.—In reviewing the aeromedical deci-
sion-making processes, policies, and procedures of the Ad-
ministration in accordance with subsection (a), the working 
group, at a minimum, shall— 
(1) assess the medical conditions an Aviation 
Medical Examiner may issue a medical certificate di-
rectly to an individual;
340 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) determine the appropriateness of the list of 
such medical conditions as of the date of enactment 
of this Act; 
(3) assess the special issuance process; 
(4) determine the appropriateness of whether a 
renewal of a special issuance can be based on a med-
ical evaluation and treatment plan by the treating 
medical specialist of the individual pursuant to ap-
proval from an Aviation Medical Examiner; 
(5) evaluate advancements in technologies to ad-
dress forms of red-green color blindness and determine 
whether such technologies may be approved for use by 
airmen; 
(6) review policies and guidance relating to At-
tention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention 
Deficit Disorder; 
(7) evaluate whether medications used to treat 
such disorders may be safely prescribed to airmen; 
(8) review protocols pertaining to the Human 
Intervention Motivation Study of the FAA; 
(9) review protocols and policies relating to— 
(A) neurological disorders; and 
(B) cardiovascular conditions to ensure 
alignment with medical best practices, latest re-
search;
341 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(10) review mental health protocols and medica-
tions approved for treating such mental health condi-
tions, including such actions taken resulting from rec-
ommendations by the Mental Health and Aviation 
Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee; 
(11) assess processes and protocols pertaining to 
recertification of airmen receiving disability insur-
ance post-recovery from the medical condition, injury, 
or disability that precludes airmen from exercising 
the privileges of an airman certificate; 
(12) assess processes and protocols pertaining to 
the certification of veterans reporting a disability rat-
ing from the Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
(13) assess and evaluate the user interface and 
information-sharing capabilities of any online med-
ical portal administered by the FAA. 
(d) AVIATION WORKFORCE MENTAL HEALTH TASK 
GROUP.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 120 days 
after the working group pursuant to subsection (a) is 
established, the co-chairs of such working group shall 
establish an aviation workforce mental health task 
group (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘task 
group’’) to oversee, monitor, and evaluate efforts of the
342 
† HR 3935 EAS 
Administrator related to supporting the mental health 
of the aviation workforce. 
(2) COMPOSITION.—The co-chairs of such work-
ing group shall appoint— 
(A) a Chair of the task group; and 
(B) members of the task group from among 
the members of the working group appointed by 
the Administrator under subsection (b)(1). 
(3) DUTIES.—The duties of the task group shall 
include— 
(A) carrying out the activities described in 
subsection (c)(10); 
(B) soliciting feedback from aviation indus-
try professionals or other licensed professionals 
representing air carrier operations under part 
121 and part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and general aviation operations 
under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations; 
(C) reviewing and evaluating guidance 
issued by the International Civil Aviation Orga-
nization on aviation workforce mental health; 
(D) providing advice, as appropriate, on 
the implementation of the final recommendations 
issued by the inspector general of the Depart-
343 
† HR 3935 EAS 
ment of Transportation in the report titled, 
‘‘FAA Conduct Comprehensive Evaluations of 
Pilots With Mental Health Challenges, but Op-
portunities Exist to Further Mitigate Safety 
Risks’’, 
published 
on 
July 
12, 
2023 
(AV2023038); 
(E) monitoring and evaluating the imple-
mentation of recommendations by the Mental 
Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rule-
making Committee; 
(F) expanding and improving mental 
health outreach, education, and assistance pro-
grams for the aviation workforce; and 
(G) reducing the stigma associated with 
mental healthcare in the aviation workforce. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the establishment of the task group, the task 
group shall submit to the Secretary and the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report detailing— 
(A) the results of the review under para-
graph (3)(A); and 
(B) progress on the implementation of rec-
ommendations pursuant to subparagraphs (D) 
and (E) of paragraph (3); and
344 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(C) the activities carried out pursuant to 
fulfilling the duties described in subparagraphs 
(F) and (G) of paragraph (3). 
(e) SUPPORT.—The Administrator shall seek to enter 
into 1 or more agreements with the National Academies to 
support the activities of the working group described in sub-
section (c). 
(f) FINDINGS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
annually thereafter, the working group shall submit to the 
Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report on the findings and recommendations resulting 
from the activities carried out under subsection (c). 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 1 year after re-
ceiving recommendations outlined in the report under sub-
section (f), the Administrator may take such action, as ap-
propriate, to implement such recommendations. 
(h) SUNSET.—The working group shall terminate on 
October 1, 2028. 
SEC. 412. FRONTLINE MANAGER WORKLOAD STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall con-
duct a study on frontline manager workload challenges in 
air traffic control facilities.
345 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator may— 
(1) consider— 
(A) workload challenges including— 
(i) the tasks expected to be performed 
by frontline managers, including employee 
development, management, and counseling; 
(ii) the number of supervisory posi-
tions of operations requiring watch coverage 
in each air traffic control facility; 
(iii) the complexity of traffic and man-
agerial responsibilities; and 
(iv) proficiency and training require-
ments; 
(B) facility type; 
(C) facility staffing levels; and 
(D) any other factors as the Administrator 
considers appropriate; and 
(2) describe recommendations for updates to the 
Frontline Manager’s Quick Reference Guide that re-
flect current operational standards. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the 
study conducted under subsection (a).
346 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 413. MEDICAL PORTAL MODERNIZATION TASK GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 120 days after 
the working group pursuant to section 411 is established, 
the co-chairs of such working group shall establish a med-
ical portal modernization task group (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘task group’’) to evaluate the user interface 
and information sharing capabilities of an online medical 
portal administered by the FAA. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The co-chairs of the working group 
provided for in section 411 shall appoint— 
(1) a Chair of the task group; and 
(2) members of the task group from among the 
members of the working group appointed by the Ad-
ministrator under section 411(b). 
(c) ASSESSMENT; RECOMMENDATIONS.—The task 
group shall, at a minimum, assess and evaluate the capa-
bilities of any such medical portal and provide rec-
ommendations to improve the following: 
(1) The cybersecurity protections and protocols of 
any such medical portal, including the secure ex-
change of health information and records between 
Aviation Medical Examiners and pilots, or their des-
ignee, including the ability for airmen to submit ad-
ditional information requested by the Administrator. 
(2) The status of an airman’s medical applica-
tion and the disclosure of how long an airman can
347 
† HR 3935 EAS 
expect to wait for a final determination to be issued 
by the Administrator. 
(3) The disclosure of the name and contact infor-
mation of the Administrator’s representative man-
aging an airman’s case so that an Aviation Medical 
Examiner has a point of contact within the Adminis-
tration who is familiar with an airman’s applica-
tion. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the duties de-
scribed in subsection (c), the task group may consult with 
cybersecurity experts and individuals with a knowledge of 
securing electronic health care transactions. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the establishment of the task group, the task group shall sub-
mit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report detailing activities and recommenda-
tions of the task group. 
(f) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 1 year after re-
ceiving the report described in subsection (e), the Adminis-
trator may take such action as may be necessary to imple-
ment recommendations of the task group to improve any 
such medical portal.
348 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 414. STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION MAINTE-
NANCE TRAINING PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall ini-
tiate a study to assess high school aviation maintenance 
technician programs and identify any barriers for grad-
uates of such programs with respect to— 
(1) pursuing post-secondary or vocational aca-
demic training at an FAA-approved aviation mainte-
nance technician school; or 
(2) obtaining the training and experience nec-
essary to become an FAA-certificated mechanic 
through on-the-job training or alternative pathways. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study required under subsection 
(a) shall assess the following: 
(1) The number of high school aviation mainte-
nance programs in the United States and the typical 
career outcomes for graduates of such programs. 
(2) The extent to which such programs offer cur-
ricula that align with FAA mechanic Airman Certifi-
cation Standards. 
(3) The number of such programs that partner 
with FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician 
schools (as described in part 147 of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations).
349 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(4) The level of engagement between the FAA and 
high school aviation maintenance programs with re-
spect to developing curricula to build the foundational 
knowledge and skills necessary for a student to attain 
FAA mechanic certification and associated ratings. 
(5) Barriers to accessing the general knowledge 
test described in section 65.71(a)(3) of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
(6) The applicability of all FAA regulations and 
policies in effect on the day before the date of enact-
ment of this Act as such regulations and policies 
apply to student enrollees of high school aviation 
maintenance programs and whether such regulations 
or policies pose any barriers to students interested in 
pursuing a career in the field of aviation mainte-
nance. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the comple-
tion of the study required under this section, the Comp-
troller General shall provide to the Administrator and the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings 
of such study, including recommendations for any legisla-
tive and administrative actions as the Comptroller General 
determines appropriate.
350 
† HR 3935 EAS 
SEC. 415. IMPROVED ACCESS TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
SIMULATION TRAINING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue 
making tower simulator systems (in this section referred to 
as ‘‘TSS’’) more accessible to all air traffic controller spe-
cialists assigned to an air traffic control tower of the FAA 
(in this section referred to as an ‘‘ATCT’’), regardless of 
facility assignment. 
(b) CLOUD-BASED VISUAL DATABASE AND SOFTWARE 
SYSTEM.—Not later than 30 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and im-
plement a cloud-based visual database and software system 
that is compatible with existing and future TSS that, at 
a minimum, includes— 
(1) the unique runway layout, approach paths, 
and lines of sight of every ATCT; and 
(2) specifications that meet all applicable data 
security requirements. 
(c) TSS UPGRADES.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall up-
grade existing, permanent TSS so that the TSS is, at a 
minimum, capable of— 
(1) securely and quickly downloading data from 
the cloud-based visual database and software system 
described in subsection (b); and
351 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) running scenarios for each ATCT involving 
differing levels of air traffic volume and varying com-
plexities, including, aircraft emergencies, rapidly 
changing weather, issuance of safety alerts, special air 
traffic procedures for events of national or inter-
national significance, and recovering from unforeseen 
events or losses of separation. 
(d) MOBILE TSS.—Not later than 4 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ac-
quire and implement mobile TSS at each ATCT that is 
without an existing, permanent TSS so that the mobile TSS 
is capable of, at a minimum, the capabilities described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c). 
(e) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator may collaborate with the exclusive bar-
gaining representative of air traffic controllers certified 
under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 416. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER INSTRUCTOR RE-
CRUITMENT, HIRING, AND RETENTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ini-
tiate a study examining the recruitment, hiring, and reten-
tion of air traffic controller instructors and the projected 
number of instructors needed to maintain the safety of the
352 
† HR 3935 EAS 
national airspace system over a 5-year period beginning 
with fiscal year 2025. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Administrator shall include in 
the study required under subsection (a) the following: 
(1) An examination of projected instructor staff-
ing targets, including the number of on-the-job in-
structors needed for the instruction and training of 
Certified Professional Controllers (in this section re-
ferred to as ‘‘CPCs’’) in training. 
(2) An analysis on whether involving additional 
retired CPCs as instructors, including for classroom 
training, would produce improvements in air traffic 
controller instruction and training. 
(3) Recommendations on how and where to uti-
lize retired CPCs. 
(4) The effect on the ability of active CPCs to 
carry out on-the-job duties, other than instruction, 
and any related efficiencies if additional retired CPCs 
were involved as instructors. 
(5) The known vulnerabilities, as categorized by 
FAA Air Traffic Organization regions, in cases in 
which the FAA requires CPCs to provide instruction 
and training to CPCs in training is a significant 
burden on FAA air traffic controller staffing levels.
353 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(c) DEADLINE.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
on which the Administrator initiates the study required 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the ap-
propriate committees of Congress on the results of the study 
and any actions that may be taken by the Administrator 
based on such results. 
SEC. 417. ENSURING HIRING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
SPECIALISTS IS BASED ON ASSESSMENT OF 
JOB-RELEVANT APTITUDES. 
(a) REVIEW OF THE AIR TRAFFIC SKILLS ASSESS-
MENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall review and revise, if 
necessary, the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘AT–SA’’) administered to air traffic con-
troller applicants described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of sec-
tion 44506(f)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, in ac-
cordance with the following requirements, the Adminis-
trator shall: 
(1) Evaluate all questions on the AT–SA and de-
termine whether a peer-reviewed job analysis that en-
sures all questions test job-relevant aptitudes would 
result in improvements in the air traffic control spe-
cialist workforce training and hiring process.
354 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) Assess the assumptions and methodologies 
used to develop the AT–SA, the job-relevant aptitudes 
measured, and the scoring process for the assessment. 
(3) Assess whether any other revisions to the AT– 
SA are necessary to enhance the air traffic control 
specialist workforce training and hiring process. 
(b) DOT INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.—Not later 
than 180 days after the completion of the review and any 
necessary revision of the AT–SA required under subsection 
(a), the inspector general of the Department of Transpor-
tation shall submit to the Administrator, the appropriate 
committees of Congress, and, upon request, to any member 
of Congress, a report that assesses the AT–SA and any ap-
plicable revisions, a description of any associated actions 
taken by the Administrator, and any other recommenda-
tions to address the results of the report. 
SEC. 418. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VETERANS WITH 
PILOT TRAINING SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, shall establish a pilot program to provide grants 
to eligible entities to provide pilot training activities and 
related education to support a pathway for veterans to be-
come commercial aviators.
355 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—In this section, the term ‘‘eli-
gible entity’’ means a pilot school or provisional pilot school 
that— 
(1) holds an Air Agency Certificate under part 
141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(2) has an established employment pathway with 
at least 1 air carrier operating under part 121 or 135 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(c) PRIORITY APPLICATION.—In selecting eligible enti-
ties under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize eligible 
entities that meet the following criteria: 
(1) An eligible entity accredited (as defined in 
section 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) 
by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary 
of Education. 
(2) An eligible entity that holds a letter of au-
thorization issued in accordance with section 61.169 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(d) USE OF FUNDS.—Amounts from a grant received 
by an eligible entity under the pilot program established 
under subsection (a) shall be used for the following: 
(1) Administrative costs related to implementa-
tion of the program described in subsection (a) not to 
exceed 5 percent of the amount awarded.
356 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(2) To provide guidance and pilot training serv-
ices, including tuition and flight training fees for vet-
erans enrolled with an eligible entity, to support such 
veterans in obtaining any of the following pilot cer-
tificates and ratings: 
(A) Private pilot certificate with airplane 
single-engine or multi-engine ratings. 
(B) Instrument rating. 
(C) Commercial pilot certificate with air-
plane single-engine or multi-engine ratings. 
(D) Multi-engine rating. 
(E) Certificated flight instructor single-en-
gine certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. 
(F) Certificated flight instructor multi-en-
gine certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. 
(G) Certificated flight instructor instrument 
certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. 
(3) To provide educational materials, training 
materials, and equipment to support pilot training 
activities and related education for veterans enrolled 
with the eligible entity. 
(4) To provide periodic reports to the Secretary 
on use of the grant funds, including documentation of 
training completion of the certificates and ratings de-
357 
† HR 3935 EAS 
scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of para-
graph (2). 
(e) AWARD AMOUNT LIMIT.—An award granted to an 
eligible entity shall not exceed more than $750,000 in any 
given fiscal year. 
(f) APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry out this section, there 
is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2025 through 2028. 
SEC. 419. PROVIDING NON-FEDERAL WEATHER OBSERVER 
TRAINING TO AIRPORT PERSONNEL. 
The Administrator may take such actions as are nec-
essary to provide training that is easily accessible and 
streamlined for airport personnel to become certified as 
non-Federal weather observers so that such personnel can 
manually provide weather observations in any case in 
which automated surface observing systems and automated 
weather observing systems experience outages and errors to 
ensure operational safety at airports. 
SEC. 420. PROHIBITION OF REMOTE DISPATCHING. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 44711(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (9) by striking ‘‘or’’ after 
the semicolon;
358 
† HR 3935 EAS 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as 
paragraph (11); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(10) work as an aircraft dispatcher outside of 
a physical location designated as a dispatching center 
or flight following center of an air carrier, except as 
provided under section 44747; or’’. 
(2) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall issue regulations requiring persons to comply 
with section 44711(a)(10) of title 49, United States 
Code (as added by paragraph (1)). 
(b) AIRCRAFT DISPATCHING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, 
United States Code, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘§ 44748. Aircraft dispatching 
‘‘(a) AIRCRAFT DISPATCHING CERTIFICATE.—No per-
son may serve as an aircraft dispatcher for an air carrier 
unless such person holds the appropriate aircraft dispatcher 
certificate issued by the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration. 
‘‘(b) PROOF OF CERTIFICATION.—Upon the request of 
the Administrator or an authorized representative of the