379 
(3) any other operator that routinely flies a 
rotorcraft over the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 482. UFP STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall enter into an agree-
ment with the National Academies under which the Na-
tional Research Council shall carry out a study examining 
airborne ultrafine particles and the effect of such particles 
on human health. 
(b) SCOPE OF STUDY.—The study conducted under 
subsection (a) shall— 
(1) summarize the relevant literature and stud-
ies done on airborne UPFs worldwide; 
(2) focus on large hub airports; 
(3) examine airborne UFPs and their potential 
effect on human health, including— 
(A) characteristics of UFPs present in the 
air; 
(B) spatial and temporal distributions of 
UFP concentrations; 
(C) primary sources of UFPs; 
(D) the contribution of aircraft and airport 
operations to the distribution of UFP con-
centrations compared to other sources;
380 
(E) potential health effects associated with 
elevated UFP exposures, including outcomes re-
lated to cardiovascular disease, respiratory in-
fection 
and 
disease, 
degradation 
of 
neurocognitive functions, and other health ef-
fects; and 
(F) potential UFP exposures, especially to 
susceptible groups; 
(4) identify measures intended to reduce the re-
lease of UFPs; and 
(5) identify information gaps related to under-
standing potential relationships between UFP expo-
sures and health effects, contributions of aviation-re-
lated emissions to UFP exposures, and the effective-
ness of mitigation measures. 
(c) COORDINATION.— The Administrator may coordi-
nate with the heads of such other agencies that the Ad-
ministrator considers appropriate to provide data and 
other assistance necessary for the study. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the Na-
tional Research Council submits of the results of the study 
to the Administrator, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report
381 
containing the results of the study carried out under sub-
section (a), including any recommendations based on such 
study. 
(e) DEFINITION OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLE.—In this 
section, the terms ‘‘ultrafine particle’’ and ‘‘UFP’’ mean 
particles with diameters less than or equal to 100 nano-
meters. 
SEC. 483. AVIATION AND AIRPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGE-
MENT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall estab-
lish an airport community of interest task force (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’) to 
evaluate and improve existing processes and mecha-
nisms for engaging communities impacted by airport 
development and aviation operations. 
(2) ACTIVITIES.—The Task Force shall— 
(A) review research on aircraft noise im-
pacts to identify potential actions the Adminis-
trator could take; 
(B) review processes and practices of the 
Administration for engaging communities prior 
to or after air traffic pattern changes that im-
382 
pact such communities, including with how such 
processes and practices compare to best prac-
tices from organizations with expertise in grass-
roots community organizing and collaboration; 
(C) assess Federal efforts to mitigate noise 
impacts on communities, including costs and 
benefits of such efforts; 
(D) assess the various actions that State 
and local government officials and community 
planners could take when considering changes 
to airport infrastructure, including planned air-
port projects or surrounding airport community 
developments; 
(E) identify potential improvements to 
Federal, State, and local airport development 
policy and planning processes to better balance 
which 
communities 
experience 
negative 
externalities as a result of airport operations; 
(F) consider guidance to airports and air-
port communities to improve engagement with 
the Administration, as recommended by the 
document titled ‘‘Aircraft Noise: FAA Could 
Improve Outreach Through Enhanced Noise 
Metrics, Communication, and Support to Com-
383 
munities’’, issued in September 2021 (GAO– 
21–103933); 
(G) consider mechanisms and opportunities 
for the Administration to facilitate better ex-
change of helicopter noise information with op-
erators in communities adversely impacted by 
helicopter noise, as recommended by the Comp-
troller General in the document titled ‘‘Aircraft 
Noise: Better Information Sharing Could Im-
prove Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Hel-
icopter Noise Concerns’’ (GAO–21–200); and 
(H) review air traffic controller guidance 
on use and development of noise abatement pro-
cedures of the Administration to identify areas 
for improvement or efficiency that do not ad-
versely impact aviation safety. 
(3) COMPOSITION.— 
(A) APPOINTMENT.—The Administrator 
shall appoint the members of the Task Force. 
(B) CHAIRPERSON.—The Task Force shall 
be chaired by the Administrator’s executive 
level designee. 
(C) REPRESENTATION.—The Task Force 
shall be comprised of representatives from—
384 
(i) multiple airport communities and 
communities in the vicinity of airports; 
(ii) airport operators; 
(iii) airlines; 
(iv) experts with specific knowledge of 
air traffic planning; 
(v) aircraft manufacturers; 
(vi) local government officials; and 
(vii) such other representatives as the 
Administrator considers appropriate. 
(4) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Task 
Force shall serve without compensation. 
(5) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—Chapter 10 
of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the 
Task Force established under this section. 
(6) CONSULTATION.—The Task Force shall, as 
appropriate, consult with relevant experts and stake-
holders not listed in paragraph (3)(C) in conducting 
the activities described in paragraph (2). 
(7) REPORTS.— 
(A) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of the establishment of the 
Task Force and every year thereafter through 
fiscal year 2028, the Task Force shall provide 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
385 
structure of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate, and the Administrator 
recommendations to improve the processes and 
mechanisms for engaging communities impacted 
by airport development and aviation operations. 
(B) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days 
after the submission of the annual rec-
ommendations under subparagraph (A), the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the committees described 
in such subparagraph on any plans of the Ad-
ministration to implement the recommendations 
of the Task Force, including explanations for 
each of the recommendations the Administrator 
does not intend to adopt. 
(b) ENGAGEMENT EVENTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL EVENT.—The Administrator shall 
seek to convene at least 2 annual events in each geo-
graphic region of the Administration to engage with 
aviation communities on issues of regional import. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the engagement 
events described under paragraph (1) shall be to fos-
ter open and transparent communication between 
the Federal Government and aviation-impacted com-
386 
munities prior to, during, and after decision making 
at the Federal level. 
(3) TOPICS OF CONSIDERATION.—The topics of 
consideration of such engagement events shall be ap-
proved by the Regional Administrator or the Re-
gional Community Engagement Officer of the appli-
cable region, in consultation with regional interest 
groups. Topic areas shall be driven by local and re-
gional feedback and may focus on— 
(A) noise concerns from low-flying com-
mercial aircraft; 
(B) purchase and installation of aircraft 
noise reduction measures; 
(C) new development projects in close 
proximity to airports and realistic noise expec-
tations for such projects; 
(D) proposed airport expansion projects 
and the potential noise implications of such 
projects; 
(E) the establishment of new, or changes 
to existing, approach and departure routes and 
the community impacts of such changes; 
(F) upcoming events with an aviation com-
ponent; or
387 
(G) any other topic or issue considered rel-
evant by an aviation-impacted community. 
(4) PARTICIPATION.— 
(A) COORDINATION.—All events described 
in paragraph (3) shall be convened by or in co-
ordination with the regional offices of the Ad-
ministration. 
(B) 
ATTENDANCE
BY
REPRESENTA-
TIVES.—The Administrator shall ensure rep-
resentatives from relevant program offices of 
the Administration are in attendance at such 
events. 
(C) APPROPRIATE
PARTICIPATION.—The 
Administrator shall collaborate with community 
groups at the State, municipal, city, or local 
government level to ensure appropriate partici-
pation by as many relevant parties on a given 
issue as practicable. Such relevant parties may 
include— 
(i) State or local government officials; 
(ii) local or municipal planning and 
zoning officials; 
(iii) neighborhood representatives;
388 
(iv) aircraft operators, flight school 
representatives, or other local aviation enti-
ties; 
(v) airport operators; and 
(vi) any other parties as appropriate. 
(D) COORDINATION.—The Administrator 
shall coordinate Federal participation that is 
not under the Administration through the Fed-
eral Interagency Committee on Aviation Noise 
to encourage appropriate Federal representa-
tion at all such events, based on the topic areas 
of consideration. 
SEC. 484. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a 
Community Collaboration Program (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Program’’) within the Office for Policy, 
International Affairs, and Environment of the Administra-
tion. 
(b) STAFF.—The Program shall be comprised of rep-
resentatives from— 
(1) the Office for Policy, International Affairs, 
and Environment of the Administration; 
(2) the Office of Airports of the Administration;
389 
(3) the Air Traffic Organization of the Admin-
istration; and 
(4) other entities as considered appropriate by 
the Administrator. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Program shall facilitate 
and harmonize, as appropriate, policies and proce-
dures carried out by the entities listed in subsection 
(b) pertaining to community engagement relating 
to— 
(A) airport planning and development; 
(B) noise and environmental policy; 
(C) NextGen implementation; 
(D) air traffic route changes; 
(E) integration of new and emerging en-
trants; and 
(F) other topics with respect to which com-
munity engagement is critical to program suc-
cess. 
(2) SPECIFIED
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The re-
sponsibilities of the Program lead shall include— 
(A) the establishment of, and membership 
selection for, the Airport Community of Interest 
Task Force, established under section 483;
390 
(B) joint execution with Federal Aviation 
Administration Regional Administrators of re-
gional community engagement events, as de-
scribed in section 483; 
(C) updating the internal guidance of the 
Administration 
for 
community 
engagement 
based on recommendations from such Task 
Force, best practices of other Federal agencies 
interviews with impacted residents, and external 
organizations with expertise in community en-
gagement, and recommendations solicited from 
individuals and local government officials in 
communities adversely impacted by aircraft 
noise; 
(D) coordinating with the Air Traffic Or-
ganization on community engagement efforts 
related to air traffic procedure changes to en-
sure that impacted communities are consulted 
in a meaningful way; 
(E) oversight of Regional Ombudsmen of 
the Administration; 
(F) oversight, streamlining, and increasing 
the responsiveness of the noise complaint proc-
ess of the Administration by—
391 
(i) centralizing noise complaint data 
and improving data collection methodolo-
gies; 
(ii) increasing public accessibility to 
such Regional Ombudsmen; 
(iii) ensuring such Regional Ombuds-
men are consulted in local air traffic proce-
dure development decisions; 
(iv) collecting feedback from such Re-
gional Ombudsmen to inform national pol-
icymaking efforts; and 
(v) other recommendations made by 
the Airport Community of Interest Task 
Force; 
(G) timely implementation of the rec-
ommendations, as appropriate, made by the 
Comptroller General of the United States to the 
Secretary of Transportation contained in the re-
port titled ‘‘Aircraft Noise: FAA Could Improve 
Outreach Through Enhanced Noise Metrics, 
Communication, and Support to Communities’’, 
issued in September 2021 (GAO–21–103933) 
to improve the outreach of the FAA to local 
communities impacted by aircraft noise, includ-
ing—
392 
(i) any recommendations to— 
(I) identify appropriate supple-
mental metrics for assessing noise im-
pacts and circumstances for their use 
to aid in the internal assessment of 
the Administration of noise impacts 
related 
to 
proposed 
flight 
path 
changes; 
(II) update guidance to incor-
porate additional tools to more clearly 
convey expected impacts, such as 
other noise metrics and visualization 
tools; and 
(III) improve guidance to air-
ports and communities on effectively 
engaging with the Administration; and 
(ii) any other recommendations in-
cluded in the report that would assist the 
agency in improving outreach to commu-
nities affected by aircraft noise; 
(H) ensuring engagement with local com-
munity groups as appropriate in conducting the 
other responsibilities described in this section; 
and
393 
(I) other responsibilities as considered ap-
propriate by the Administrator. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the Ad-
ministrator implements the recommendations described in 
subsection (c)(2)(H), the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describ-
ing— 
(1) the implementation of each such rec-
ommendation; 
(2) how any recommended actions are assisting 
the Administrator in improving outreach to commu-
nities affected by aircraft noise and other commu-
nity engagement concerns; and 
(3) any challenges or barriers that limit or pre-
vent the ability of the Administrator to take such ac-
tions. 
SEC. 485. THIRD PARTY STUDY ON AVIATION NOISE 
METRICS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall enter into an agreement 
with the National Academies to conduct a study on avia-
tion noise metrics.
394 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study required under sub-
section (a) shall include an assessment of— 
(1) the efficacy of the day-night average sound 
level (in this section referred to as ‘‘DNL’’) noise 
metric compared to other alternative models; 
(2) the disadvantages of the DNL noise metric 
in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act 
compared to other alternative models; 
(3) any potential changes that should be made 
to the DNL noise metric in effect as of the date of 
enactment of this Act; and 
(4) the data collected by the Neighborhood En-
vironmental Survey of the Administration using al-
ternative noise metrics. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Acad-
emies shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report— 
(1) on the results of the study described in sub-
section (a); and 
(2) containing recommendations regarding the 
most appropriate metric to adequately assess the 
public health impacts of aircraft noise.
395 
SEC. 486. INFORMATION SHARING REQUIREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, shall establish a mechanism to 
make helicopter noise complaint data accessible to the 
Federal Aviation Administration, to helicopter operators 
operating in the Washington, D.C. area, and to the public 
on a website of the Administration, based on the rec-
ommendation of the Government Accountability Office in 
the report published on January 7, 2021, titled ‘‘Aircraft 
Noise: Better Information Sharing Could Improve Re-
sponses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise Con-
cerns’’. 
(b) COOPERATION.—Any helicopter operator oper-
ating in the Washington, D.C. area shall provide heli-
copter noise complaint data to the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration through the mechanism established under 
subsection (a). 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) HELICOPTER
NOISE
COMPLAINT
DATA.— 
The term ‘‘helicopter noise complaint data’’— 
(A) means general data relating to a com-
plaint made by an individual about helicopter 
noise in the Washington, D.C. area and may in-
clude—
396 
(i) the location and description of the 
event that is the subject of the complaint; 
(ii) the start and end time of such 
event; 
(iii) a description of the aircraft that 
is the subject of the complaint; and 
(iv) the airport name associated with 
such event; and 
(B) does not include the personally identi-
fiable information of the individual who sub-
mitted the complaint. 
(2) 
WASHINGTON, 
D.C. 
AREA.—The 
term 
‘‘Washington, D.C. area’’ means the area inside of 
a 30-mile radius surrounding Ronald Reagan Wash-
ington National Airport. 
TITLE V—AVIATION SAFETY 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 501. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR NEAR MISSES, RUNWAY 
INCURSIONS, 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), 
respectively; and
397 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
following: 
‘‘(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 ‘‘sub-
section 
(a)(5)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘subsection 
(a)(6)’’; and 
(B) in subsection (h) by striking ‘‘sub-
section 
(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 of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a 
process to continuously track and evaluate ground 
traffic and air traffic activity and related incidents 
at airports. 
(b) RUNWAY SAFETY COUNCIL.—
398 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
establish a council, to be known as the ‘‘Runway 
Safety Council’’ (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Council’’), to develop a systematic proactive man-
agement strategy to address surface safety risks. 
(2) DUTIES.—The duties of the Council shall 
include, at a minimum, advancing the development 
of risk-based, data driven, integrated systems solu-
tions and strategies to enhance 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. 
(ii) Air carriers. 
(iii) Aircraft operators. 
(iv) Avionics manufacturers. 
(v) Flight schools. 
(vi) The certified bargaining rep-
resentative of aviation safety inspectors for 
the Administration.
399 
(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 Admin-
istrator determines appropriate. 
(B) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.—The Admin-
istrator may appoint members representing any 
other stakeholder organization that the Admin-
istrator determines appropriate to the Runway 
Safety Council. 
(c) AIRPORT SURFACE SURVEILLANCE.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall, in coordination with the Council, con-
sult with relevant stakeholders to identify tech-
nologies, equipment, and systems that— 
(A) may provide airport surface surveil-
lance capabilities at airports lacking such capa-
bilities; 
(B) may augment existing airport surface 
surveillance systems; or 
(C) 
may 
provide 
onboard 
situational 
awareness to pilots.
400 
(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), identify airport surface 
surveillance systems that meet the standards of 
the Administration and may be able to— 
(i) provide airport surface surveillance 
capabilities at airports lacking such capa-
bilities; or 
(ii) augment existing airport surface 
surveillance systems; and 
(B) 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 surveillance system, or other run-
way 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 Adminis-
trator shall ensure that airport surface surveillance 
systems are deployed and operational at—
401 
(A) all airports described in paragraph 
(2)(A); and 
(B) all medium and large hub airports. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall brief the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate on the progress of the deploy-
ment 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-
mated foreign object debris monitoring and detection 
systems at not less than 3 airports that are using 
such systems. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the as-
sessment under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall consider the following: 
(A) The categorization of an airport. 
(B) The potential frequency of foreign ob-
ject debris incidents on airport runways or ad-
jacent ramp areas.
402 
(C) The availability of funding for the in-
stallation and maintenance of foreign object de-
bris monitoring and detection systems. 
(D) The impact of such systems on the air-
field operations of an airport. 
(E) The effectiveness of available foreign 
object debris monitoring and detection systems. 
(F) Any other factors relevant to assessing 
the return on investment of foreign object de-
bris monitoring and detection systems. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Administrator and the Council shall con-
sult with manufacturers and suppliers of foreign ob-
ject debris detection technology and any other rel-
evant stakeholders. 
(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 an agreement with a feder-
ally funded research and development center to con-
duct a study of runway incursions, surface incidents, 
operational errors, or losses of standard separation 
of aircraft in the approach or departure phase of 
flight to determine how advanced technologies and 
future airport development projects may be able to
403 
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 
runway incursions, surface incidents, oper-
ational errors, or losses of standard separation 
of aircraft 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 
technologies, including and beyond such tech-
nologies considered in subsection (c), that may 
augment existing air traffic management capa-
bilities of surface surveillance and terminal air-
space 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
404 
(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, in-
cluding airfield familiarization training pro-
grams for employees, to assess scalability to 
handle future growth in airfield capacity and 
traffic. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In conducting the 
study required by paragraph (1), the federally fund-
ed research and development center shall develop 
recommendations for the strategic planning efforts 
of the Administration to appropriately maintain sur-
face safety considering future increases in air traffic 
and based on the considerations described in para-
graph (2). 
(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 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report on the findings of such study and any 
recommendations developed under paragraph (3).
405 
(f) AIRPORT SURFACE DETECTION AND SURVEIL-
LANCE SYSTEM DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘air-
port surface detection and surveillance system’’ means an 
airport surveillance system that is— 
(1) designed to track surface movement of air-
craft and vehicles; and 
(2) capable of alerting air traffic controllers or 
flight crew members of a possible runway incursion, 
misaligned approach, or other safety event. 
SEC. 502. GLOBAL AVIATION SAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40104(d) of title 49, 
United States Code, (as redesignated by section 325) 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 Admin-
istrator shall maintain an international presence 
to—
406 
‘‘(A) assist foreign civil aviation authorities 
in— 
‘‘(i) establishing robust aviation over-
sight practices and policies; 
‘‘(ii) training staff, to include inspec-
tors and accident investigators; 
‘‘(iii) harmonizing international avia-
tion standards for air traffic management, 
operator certification, aircraft certification, 
airports, and certificated or credentialed 
individuals; 
‘‘(iv) validating and accepting foreign 
aircraft design and production approvals; 
‘‘(v) maintaining appropriate levels of 
air navigation services; 
‘‘(vi) preparing for new aviation tech-
nologies; and 
‘‘(vii) 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
407 
and the aviation safety information contained 
within such agreements; 
‘‘(D) engage in bilateral and multilateral 
discussions and provide technical assistance as 
described in paragraph (5); 
‘‘(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 
products and such investigations where the Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board is sup-
porting an investigation pursuant to annex 13 
of the International Civil Aviation Organization; 
‘‘(G) support the international activities 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.’’.
408 
(b) REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL FIELD OFFICES.— 
Section 40104(d) of title 49, United States Code, (as re-
designated by section 325) is further amended by inserting 
after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) INTERNATIONAL
OFFICES.—In carrying 
out the responsibilities described in subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) maintain international offices of the 
Administration; 
‘‘(B) every 3 years, review existing inter-
national offices to determine— 
‘‘(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); 
‘‘(C) establish offices to address gaps iden-
tified 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;
409 
‘‘(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.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 40104(d) of 
title 49, United States Code, (as redesignated by 
section 325) is further amended by inserting after 
paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(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
410 
agreements under this section to, at a min-
imum— 
‘‘(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 
fails to meet the obligations of such party 
under such agreements. 
‘‘(C) SCOPE.—The scope of a bilateral 
aviation safety agreement entered into under 
this section shall, as appropriate, cover existing 
aviation users and concepts and establish a 
process by which bilateral aviation safety agree-
ments can be updated to include new and novel 
concepts on an ongoing basis. 
‘‘(D) CONTENTS.—Bilateral aviation safety 
agreements entered into under this section 
shall, as appropriate and consistent with United
411 
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, 
and powered-lift aircraft; 
‘‘(vii) aerodrome certification; 
‘‘(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 ap-
propriate by the Administrator. 
‘‘(E) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Bilateral 
or multilateral aviation safety agreements en-
tered into under this subsection shall not be 
construed to diminish or alter any authority of
412 
the Administrator under any other provision of 
law.’’. 
(2) AUDIT OF VALIDATION ACTIVITIES UNDER 
BILATERAL AVIATION SAFETY AGREEMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the in-
spector general of the Department of Transpor-
tation shall initiate an audit of bilateral compli-
ance with respect to the validation of aircraft 
and aircraft parts as set forth in bilateral or 
multilateral aviation safety agreements between 
the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
civil aviation authorities of— 
(i) the European Union; 
(ii) Canada; 
(iii) Brazil; 
(iv) China; 
(v) the United Kingdom; and 
(vi) any other country as determined 
by the inspector general. 
(B) REVIEW CONTENTS.—As part of the 
review required under this subsection, the in-
spector general shall evaluate the performance 
of validation programs by assessing—
413 
(i) validation timelines and milestones 
for individual projects; 
(ii) trends relating to the repeated use 
of nonbasic criteria to review systems and 
methods of compliance that have been vali-
dated previously in similar contexts; 
(iii) the extent to which implementa-
tion tools such as validation workplans and 
safety emphasis items have addressed vali-
dation issues; 
(iv) the perspective of Administration 
employees; 
(v) the perspective of employees of 
other civil aviation authorities, who wish to 
provide such perspective, on the validation 
of products certified in the United States 
and the validation of products by the 
United States of products certified abroad; 
and 
(vi) the perspective of domestic and 
foreign industry applicants seeking valida-
tion of aircraft and aircraft parts. 
(C) REPORT
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
Not later than 14 months after beginning the 
audit under paragraph (2), the inspector gen-
414 
eral shall provide to the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report summarizing the 
findings of the audit and any recommendations 
to increase compliance and improve the valida-
tion timeframes of aircraft and aircraft parts. 
(d) INTERNATIONAL
ENGAGEMENT
STRATEGY.— 
Section 40104(d) of title 49, United States Code, (as re-
designated by section 325) is further amended by inserting 
after paragraph (5) the following: 
‘‘(6) STRATEGIC
PLAN.—The Administrator 
shall maintain a strategic plan for the international 
engagement of the Administration that includes— 
‘‘(A) all elements of the report required in 
section 243(b)(1) 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-
415 
tion, intellectual property, and expert control 
laws; 
‘‘(D) policy regarding the future direction 
and strategy of the United States engagement 
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; 
and 
‘‘(G) establishment of, and a process to 
regularly track and update, metrics to measure 
the effectiveness of, and foreign civil aviation 
authority compliance with, bilateral aviation 
safety agreements.’’.
416 
SEC. 503. 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— 
‘‘(1) promoting aviation safety, aircraft oper-
ations, air traffic, airport, unmanned aircraft sys-
tems, and other aviation standards and regulations 
adopted by the United States; 
‘‘(2) facilitating the adoption of United States 
approaches on standards and recommended practices 
at the International Civil Aviation Organization; 
‘‘(3) promoting environmental standards adopt-
ed by the United States and standards promulgated 
under section 44714; 
‘‘(4) supporting the acceptance of Administra-
tion design and production approvals by other civil 
aviation authorities;
417 
‘‘(5) training Administration personnel and 
training provided to other persons; 
‘‘(6) engaging with regulated entities, including 
performing site visits; 
‘‘(7) activities associated with subsections (c) 
through (f) of this section; and 
‘‘(8) other activities as determined by the Ad-
ministrator.’’. 
SEC. 504. HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS. 
(a) OUTDATED AIR AMBULANCE RULEMAKING RE-
QUIREMENT.—Section 44730 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ‘‘not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
section,’’; 
(2) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘address the 
following’’ and inserting ‘‘consider, or address 
through other means, the following’’; 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘provide for 
the following’’ and inserting ‘‘consider, or address 
through other means, the following’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘SUBSE-
QUENT RULEMAKING’’ and inserting ‘‘SUBSE-
QUENT ACTIONS’’;
418 
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘shall 
conduct a follow-on rulemaking to address the 
following:’’ and inserting ‘‘shall address through 
a follow-on rulemaking, or through such other 
means that the Administrator considers appro-
priate, the following:’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (2). 
(b) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BRIEFING.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall brief the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate on how the proposed rule published on Janu-
ary, 11, 2023, titled ‘‘Safety Management System’’ (88 
Fed. Reg. 1932) will— 
(1) improve helicopter air ambulance operations 
and piloting; and 
(2) consider the use of safety equipment by 
flight crew and medical personnel on a helicopter 
conducting an air ambulance operation.
419 
(c) IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLICATION OF HELICOPTER 
AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS DATA.—Section 44731 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); 
(2) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(2) make publicly available, in part or in 
whole, on the website of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration website, the database developed pursu-
ant to subsection (c); and 
‘‘(3) analyze the data submitted under sub-
section (a) periodically and use such data to inform 
efforts to improve the safety of helicopter air ambu-
lance operations.’’; and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
subsections (d) and (e), respectively. 
SEC. 505. GLOBAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SAFETY IM-
PROVEMENTS. 
(a) FAA OVERSIGHT OF REPAIR STATIONS LOCATED 
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 44733 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended—
420 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘Inspec-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘Oversight’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this section, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, without prior notice 
to such repair stations,’’ after ‘‘annually’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and the applicable 
laws of the country in which the repair sta-
tion is located’’ after ‘‘international agree-
ments’’; and 
(iii) by striking the last sentence and 
inserting ‘‘The Administrator may carry 
out announced or unannounced inspections 
in addition to the annual unannounced in-
spection required under this subsection 
based on identified risks and in a manner 
consistent with United States obligations 
under international agreements and the 
applicable laws of the country in which the 
part 145 repair station is located.’’; 
(D) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (j); and
421 
(E) by inserting after subsection (f) the 
following: 
‘‘(g) DATA ANALYSIS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year in which a 
part 121 air carrier has had heavy maintenance 
work performed on an aircraft owned or operated by 
such carrier, such carrier shall provide to the Ad-
ministrator, not later than the end of the following 
fiscal year, a report containing the information de-
scribed in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—A report under 
paragraph (1) shall contain the following: 
‘‘(A) The location where any heavy mainte-
nance work on aircraft was performed outside 
the United States. 
‘‘(B) A description of the work performed 
at each such location. 
‘‘(C) The date of completion of the work 
performed at each such location. 
‘‘(D) A list of all failures, malfunctions, or 
defects affecting the safe operation of such air-
craft identified by the air carrier not later than 
30 days after the date on which an aircraft is 
returned to service, organized by reference to 
aircraft registration number, that—
422 
‘‘(i) requires corrective action after 
the aircraft is approved for return to serv-
ice; and 
‘‘(ii) results from such work per-
formed on such aircraft. 
‘‘(E) The certificate number of the person 
approving such aircraft or on-wing aircraft en-
gine, for return to service following completion 
of the work performed at each such location. 
‘‘(3) ANALYSIS.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) analyze information provided under 
this subsection and sections 121.703, 121.705, 
121.707, and 145.221 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, or any successor provisions of 
such title, to detect safety issues associated 
with heavy maintenance work on aircraft per-
formed outside the United States; and 
‘‘(B) require appropriate actions by an air 
carrier or repair station in response to any safe-
ty issue identified by the analysis conducted 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(4) CONFIDENTIALITY.—Information provided 
under this subsection shall be subject to the same 
protections given to voluntarily provided safety or 
security related information under section 40123.
423 
‘‘(h) APPLICATIONS AND PROHIBITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may not 
approve any new application under part 145 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, from a person lo-
cated or headquartered in a country that the Admin-
istration, through the International Aviation Safety 
Assessment program, has classified as Category 2. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not 
apply to an application for the renewal of a certifi-
cate issued under part 145 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
‘‘(3) MAINTENANCE IMPLEMENTATION PROCE-
DURES AGREEMENT.—The Administrator may elect 
not to enter into a new maintenance implementation 
procedures agreement with a country classified as 
Category 2, for as long as the country remains clas-
sified as Category 2. 
‘‘(4) PROHIBITION
ON
CONTINUED
HEAVY 
MAINTENANCE WORK.—No part 121 air carrier may 
enter into a new contract for heavy maintenance 
work with a person located or headquartered in a 
country that the Administrator, through the Inter-
national Aviation Safety Assessment program, has 
classified as Category 2, for as long as such country 
remains classified as Category 2.
424 
‘‘(i) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
FOR MECHANICS 
AND OTHERS WORKING
ON U.S. REGISTERED AIR-
CRAFT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Administrator shall require that, at each covered re-
pair station— 
‘‘(A) all supervisory personnel of such sta-
tion are appropriately certificated as a me-
chanic or repairman under part 65 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or under an 
equivalent certification or licensing regime, as 
determined by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) all personnel of such station author-
ized to approve an article for return to service 
are appropriately certificated as a mechanic or 
repairman under part 65 of such title, or under 
an equivalent certification or licensing regime, 
as determined by the Administrator. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABLE
FOR
CONSULTATION.—Not 
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this subsection, the Administrator shall require any 
individual who is responsible for approving an article 
for return to service or who is directly in charge of 
heavy maintenance work performed on aircraft oper-
425 
ated by a part 121 air carrier be available for con-
sultation while work is being performed at a covered 
repair station.’’. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Section 44733(j) of 
title 49, United States Code (as redesignated by 
this section), is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘air-
craft’’ and inserting ‘‘aircraft (including 
on-wing aircraft engines)’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4), 
respectively; and 
(iii) by inserting before paragraph (2), 
as so redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
REPAIR
STATION.—The term 
‘covered repair station’ means a facility that— 
‘‘(A) is located outside the United States; 
‘‘(B) is a part 145 repair station; and 
‘‘(C) performs heavy maintenance work on 
aircraft operated by a part 121 air carrier.’’. 
(B) 
TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Section 
44733(a)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘covered part 145 repair
426 
stations’’ and inserting ‘‘part 145 repair sta-
tions’’. 
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The analysis 
for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
44733 and inserting the following: 
‘‘44733. Oversight of repair stations located outside the United States.’’. 
(b) INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SAFETY OVER-
SIGHT OF EXTRATERRITORIAL REPAIR STATIONS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
invite other civil aviation authorities to convene with 
the Administration an extraterritorial repair station 
working group (hereinafter referred to as the 
‘‘Working Group’’) to conduct a review of the certifi-
cation and oversight of extraterritorial repair sta-
tions and to identify any future enhancements or 
harmonization 
that 
might 
be 
appropriate 
to 
strengthen oversight of such repair stations and im-
prove global aviation safety. 
(2) COMPOSITION
OF
WORKING
GROUP.—The 
Working Group shall consist of— 
(A) technical representatives from the 
FAA; and
427 
(B) such other civil aviation authorities or 
international intergovernmental aviation safety 
organizations as the Administrator determines 
appropriate and are willing to participate, in-
cluding— 
(i) civil aviation authorities respon-
sible for certificating extraterritorial repair 
stations; and 
(ii) civil aviation authorities of coun-
tries in which extraterritorial repair sta-
tions are located. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review 
under this section, the Working Group shall, as ap-
propriate, consult with relevant experts and stake-
holders. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Working Group 
shall make recommendations with respect to any fu-
ture enhancements that might be appropriate to— 
(A) strengthen oversight of extraterritorial 
repair stations; and 
(B) better leverage the resources of other 
civil aviation authorities to conduct such over-
sight. 
(5) REPORTS.—
428 
(A) REPAIR STATION WORKING GROUP RE-
PORT.—In establishing the Working Group, the 
Administrator shall task the Working Group 
with submitting to the participating civil avia-
tion authorities a report containing the findings 
of the recommendations made under paragraph 
(4). 
(B) FAA REPORT.— 
(i) TRANSMISSION
OF
REPAIR
STA-
TION WORKING GROUP REPORT.—The Ad-
ministrator shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives, and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a copy of the 
report required under subparagraph (A) as 
soon as is practicable after the receipt of 
such report. 
(ii) FAA BRIEFING TO CONGRESS.— 
Not later than 45 days after receipt of the 
report under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall brief the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on
429 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate on— 
(I) whether the Administrator 
concurs or does not concur with each 
recommendation contained in the re-
port required under subparagraph 
(A); 
(II) any recommendation with 
which the Administrator does not con-
cur, a detailed explanation as to why 
the Administrator does not concur; 
(III) a plan to implement each 
recommendation with which the Ad-
ministrator concurs; and 
(IV) a plan to work with the 
international community to implement 
the recommendations applicable to 
both the FAA as well as other civil 
aviation authorities. 
(6) TERMINATION.—The Working Group shall 
terminate 90 days after the date of submission of 
the report under paragraph (5)(A), unless the Ad-
ministrator or another participant of the Working 
Group requests for an extension of the Working 
Group in order to inform the implementation and
430 
harmonization of any recommendation applicable to 
multiple civil aviation authorities. 
(7) DEFINITION OF EXTRATERRITORIAL REPAIR 
STATION.—In 
this 
subsection, 
the 
term 
‘‘extraterritorial repair station’’ means a repair sta-
tion that performs heavy maintenance work on an 
aircraft (including on-wing engines) and that is lo-
cated outside of the territory of the country of the 
civil aviation authority which certificated the repair 
station. 
(c) ALCOHOL
AND DRUG TESTING
AND BACK-
GROUND CHECKS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report updating Congress on the progress and 
challenges involved with carrying out the require-
ments of subsection (b) of section 2112 of the FAA 
Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (49 
U.S.C. 44733). 
(2) SUNSET.—The reporting requirement under 
paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective after a final
431 
rule carrying out the requirements of such sub-
section (b) has been published in the Federal Reg-
ister. 
(3) RULEMAKING
ON
ASSESSMENT
REQUIRE-
MENT.—With respect to any employee not covered 
under the requirements of section 1554.101 of title 
49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Administrator 
shall initiate a rulemaking or request the head of an-
other Federal agency to initiate a rulemaking that 
requires a covered repair station to confirm that any 
such employee has successfully completed an assess-
ment commensurate with a security threat assess-
ment described in subpart C of part 1540 of such 
title. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FAA.—The term ‘‘FAA’’ means the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the FAA. 
(3) COVERED REPAIR STATION; HEAVY MAINTE-
NANCE WORK.—The terms ‘‘covered repair station’’ 
and ‘‘heavy maintenance work’’ have the meaning 
given those terms in section 44733(j) of title 49, 
United States Code.
432 
SEC. 506. ODA BEST PRACTICE SHARING. 
Section 44736(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘Not later 
than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
section, the’’ and insert ‘‘The’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (F) by striking the 
period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) convene a forum not less than every 
2 years between ODA holders, unit members, 
and other organizational representatives and 
relevant experts, in order to— 
‘‘(i) share best practices; 
‘‘(ii) instill professionalism, ethics, 
and personal responsibilities in unit mem-
bers; and 
‘‘(iii) foster open and transparent 
communication 
between 
Administration 
safety specialists, ODA holders, and unit 
members.’’.
433 
SEC. 507. TRAINING OF ORGANIZATION DELEGATION AU-
THORIZATION UNIT MEMBERS. 
(a) UNIT MEMBER ANNUAL ETHICS TRAINING.— 
Section 44736 of title 49, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ETHICS TRAINING REQUIREMENT
FOR ODA 
HOLDERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
review and ensure each ODA holder approved under 
section 44741 has in effect a recurrent training pro-
gram for all ODA unit members that covers— 
‘‘(A) unit member professional obligations 
and responsibilities; 
‘‘(B) the ODA holder’s code of ethics as 
required to be established under section 102(f) 
of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Ac-
countability Act (49 U.S.C. 44701 note); 
‘‘(C) procedures for reporting safety con-
cerns, as described in the respective approved 
procedures manual for the delegation; 
‘‘(D) the prohibition against and reporting 
procedures for interference from a supervisor or 
other ODA member described in section 44742; 
and
434 
‘‘(E) any additional information the Ad-
ministrator considers relevant to maintaining 
ethical and professional standards across all 
ODA holders and unit members. 
‘‘(2) FAA REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) REVIEW
OF
TRAINING
PROGRAM.— 
The Organization Designation Authorization 
Office of the Administration shall review each 
ODA holders’ recurrent training program to en-
sure such program includes all elements de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) CHANGES TO PROGRAM.—Such Office 
may require changes to the training program 
considered necessary to maintain ethical and 
professional standards across all ODA holders 
and unit members. 
‘‘(3) TRAINING.—As part of the recurrent 
training required under paragraph (1), not later 
than 60 business days after being designated as an 
ODA unit member, and annually thereafter, each 
ODA unit member shall complete the ethics training 
required by the ODA holder of the respective ODA 
unit member in order to exercise the functions dele-
gated under the ODA.
435 
‘‘(4) 
ACCOUNTABILITY.—The 
Administrator 
shall establish such processes or requirements as are 
necessary to ensure compliance with paragraph 
(3).’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—An ODA unit member authorized to 
perform delegated functions under an ODA prior to the 
date of completion of an ethics training required under 
section 44736(g) of title 49, United States Code, shall 
complete such training not later than 60 days after the 
training program is approved by the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration pursuant to such section. 
SEC. 508. CLARIFICATION ON SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYS-
TEM INFORMATION DISCLOSURE. 
Section 44735 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘; or’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) if the report, data, or other information is 
submitted for any purpose relating to the develop-
ment, implementation, and use of a safety manage-
436 
ment system, including a system required by regula-
tion, that is acceptable to the Administrator.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) OTHER AGENCIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The limitation established 
under subsection (a) shall apply to the head of any 
other Federal agency who receives reports, data, or 
other information described in such subsection from 
the Administrator. 
‘‘(2) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—This section 
shall not be construed to limit the accident or inci-
dent investigation authority of the National Trans-
portation Safety Board under chapter 11, including 
the requirement to not disclose voluntarily provided 
safety-related information under section 1114.’’. 
SEC. 509. EXTENSION OF AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION, SAFE-
TY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT REPORTING 
REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) APPEALS OF CERTIFICATION DECISIONS.—Sec-
tion 44704(g)(1)(C)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
(b) OVERSIGHT
OF ORGANIZATION DESIGNATION 
AUTHORIZATION UNIT MEMBERS.—Section 44741(f)(2) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘Not later than 90 days’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the
437 
Administrator shall provide a briefing’’ and inserting ‘‘The 
Administrator shall provide an annual briefing each fiscal 
year through fiscal year 2028’’. 
(c) INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAMS.—Section 108(f) 
of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability 
Act (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
(d) VOLUNTARY SAFETY REPORTING PROGRAM.— 
Section 113(f) of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (49 U.S.C. 44701 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
(e) CHANGED PRODUCT RULE.—Section 117(b)(1) 
of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability 
Act (49 U.S.C. 44704 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 
SEC. 510. 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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall redesignate the FAA 
Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative of the Administration as 
the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (in this
438 
section referred to as the ‘Initiative’), under which the Ad-
ministrator shall carry out the provisions of this section 
and take such other actions as the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate to improve aviation safety in covered 
locations. 
‘‘(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 acci-
dents in 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 op-
erates under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
‘‘(c) LEADERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
designate the Regional Administrator for the Alas-
kan Region of the Administration to serve as the Di-
rector of the Initiative. 
‘‘(2) REPORTING CHAIN.—In all matters relat-
ing to the Initiative, the Director of the Initiative 
shall report directly to the Administrator. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—The Director of the Ini-
tiative shall coordinate with the heads of other of-
439 
fices and lines of business of the Administration, in-
cluding 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 op-
erated at each covered airport not later than Decem-
ber 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 auto-
mated weather system. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITIZATION.—In developing the in-
stallation timeline of a covered automated weather 
system at a covered airport pursuant to this sub-
section, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate and consult with the gov-
ernments with jurisdiction over covered loca-
tions, covered airports, air carriers operating in 
covered locations, private pilots based in cov-
ered locations, and such other members of the 
aviation community in covered locations; and
440 
‘‘(B) prioritize early installation at covered 
airports that would enable the greatest number 
of instrument flight rule operations by air car-
riers operating under part 121 or 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(4) RELIABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Pertaining to both 
Federal and non-Federal systems, the Adminis-
trator 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 
Adminis-
trator 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. Such plan 
shall document the Administrator’s strategy for 
ensuring covered automated weather system re-
liability, including the availability of weather in-
441 
formation from such system, and for restoring 
service in as little time as possible. 
‘‘(D) TELECOMMUNICATIONS
OR
OTHER 
FAILURES.—If a covered automated weather 
system is unable to broadly disseminate weather 
information due to a telecommunications failure 
or a failure other than an equipment 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 cov-
ered automated weather systems (including in-
dividually or collectively), the Administrator 
may not consider a covered automated weather 
system that is functioning nominally but is un-
able to broadly disseminate weather information 
telecommunications failure or a failure other
442 
than an equipment failure as functioning reli-
ably. 
‘‘(5) INVENTORY.—The Administrator shall 
consider storing excess inventory necessary for air 
traffic control equipment, including commonly re-
quired replacement parts, in covered locations to re-
duce the amount of time necessary to acquire such 
equipment or such parts necessary to replace or re-
pair air traffic control system components. 
‘‘(6) VISUAL
WEATHER
OBSERVATION
SYS-
TEM.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this section, the Administrator shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to— 
‘‘(A) deploy visual weather observation sys-
tems; and 
‘‘(B) ensure that such systems are capable 
of meeting the definition of covered automated 
weather systems. 
‘‘(e) WEATHER CAMERAS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall continu-
ously assess the state of the weather camera systems 
in covered locations to ensure the operational suffi-
ciency and reliability of such systems. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATIONS.—The Director shall—
443 
‘‘(A) accept applications from persons to 
install weather cameras; and 
‘‘(B) consult with the governments with ju-
risdiction over covered locations, covered air-
ports, air carriers operating in covered loca-
tions, private pilots based in covered locations, 
and such other members of the aviation com-
munity in covered locations as the Adminis-
trator determines appropriate to solicit addi-
tional locations at which to install and operate 
weather cameras. 
‘‘(3) PRESUMPTION.—Unless the Director has 
clear and compelling evidence to the contrary, the 
Director shall presume that the installation of a 
weather camera at a covered airport, or that is rec-
ommended by a government with jurisdiction over a 
covered location, is cost beneficial and will improve 
aviation safety. 
‘‘(f) COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.—In 
carrying out this section, the Administrator shall cooper-
ate with the heads of other Federal or State agencies with 
responsibilities affecting aviation safety in covered loca-
tions, including the collection and dissemination of weath-
er data. 
‘‘(g) SURVEILLANCE AND COMMUNICATION.—
444 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to— 
‘‘(A) encourage and incentivize the equi-
page of aircrafts that operate under part 135 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with 
automatic dependent surveillance and broadcast 
out equipment; and 
‘‘(B) improve aviation surveillance and 
communications in 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 
throughout each covered location. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—In complying with the require-
ment under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall 
waive any positive benefit-cost ratio requirement for 
the installation and operation of equipment and fa-
cilities necessary to implement such requirement. 
‘‘(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.
445 
‘‘(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 Ad-
ministration published before the date of enactment of this 
section. 
‘‘(i) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall submit 
an annual report on the status and progress of the 
Initiative to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate. 
‘‘(2) OBJECTIVES
AND
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
report under paragraph (1) shall include a detailed 
description of the Director’s progress in and plans 
for meeting the objectives of the Initiative under 
subsection (b) and the other requirements of this 
section. 
‘‘(3) 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 ti-
tled ‘FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative FY21 
Final Report’, dated September 30, 2021. 
‘‘(j) FUNDING.—
446 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, in fiscal years 2024 through 
2028— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator may, upon applica-
tion from the government with jurisdiction over 
a covered location, use amounts apportioned to 
a covered location under subsection (d)(2)(B) 
or subsection (e)(5) of section 47114 to carry 
out the Initiative; or 
‘‘(B) the sponsor of an airport in a covered 
location that receives an apportionment under 
subsection (d)(2)(B) or subsection (e) of section 
47114 may use such apportionment for any 
purpose contained 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 year 2024 through 2028 is author-
ized to be expended to carry out the Initiative. 
‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
AIRPORT.—The term ‘covered 
airport’ means an airport in a covered location that 
is included in the national plan of integrated airport 
systems required under section 47103 and that has 
a status other than unclassified in such plan.
447 
‘‘(2) COVERED
AUTOMATED
WEATHER
SYS-
TEM.—The term ‘covered automated weather sys-
tem’ means an automated or visual weather report-
ing facility that enables a pilot to begin an instru-
ment 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 
location’ means Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Amer-
ican Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, 
and the United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(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 posi-
tion, the Administrator may consider, in con-
sultation with the appropriate labor union, ap-
448 
plicants for the covered position who apply 
under a vacancy announcement recruiting from 
the State or territory in which the position is 
based. 
‘‘(B) COVERED
POSITION
DEFINED.—In 
this paragraph, the term ‘covered position’ 
means a safety-critical position based in Alaska, 
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin 
Islands.’’. 
(c) RUNWAY LENGTH.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Transportation may not 
require an airport to shorten a runway or prevent airport 
improvement grants made by the Secretary to be used for 
rehabilitating, reconstructing, or extending a primary run-
way on the basis that the airport does not have a sufficient 
number of aircraft operations requiring a certain runway 
length if— 
(1) the airport is located in a covered location; 
(2) the airport is not connected to the road 
transportation network; and 
(3) the runway length is utilized by aircraft to 
deliver necessary cargo, including heating fuel and 
gasoline, for the community served by the airport. 
(d) ALASKAN REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.—
449 
(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that— 
(A) the Regional Administrator for the 
Alaskan Region is a uniquely important position 
that contributes to aviation safety in the State 
of Alaska; 
(B) vacancies in any Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration office have a deleterious effect on 
the efficacy of the Alaskan Region office; 
(C) a prolonged vacancy in the position of 
Regional Administrator for the Alaskan Region 
may be detrimental to the effective administra-
tion of such region and the Don Young Alaska 
Aviation Safety Initiative; and 
(D) the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration should ensure that any va-
cancy in the position of Regional Administrator 
for the Alaskan Region is filled will a highly 
qualified candidate as expeditiously as possible. 
(2) VACANCY NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.— 
(A) INITIAL VACANCY.—The Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall no-
tify the appropriate committees of Congress 
when there is a vacancy for the position of Re-
gional Administrator for the Alaskan Region.
450 
(B) STATUS UPDATES.—Not later than 90 
days after the notification under subparagraph 
(A) (and every 30 days thereafter until the va-
cancy described under subparagraph (A) is 
filled), the Administrator shall notify the appro-
priate committees of Congress of any vacancy 
of such position, if so, provide an estimated 
timeline for filling such vacancy. 
(C) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CON-
GRESS DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term 
‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means 
the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
(D) SUNSET.—This paragraph shall cease 
to be effective after September 30, 2028. 
(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 im-
plement National Transportation Safety Board rec-
ommendations A–22–25 and A–22–26 (as contained
451 
in Aviation Investigation Report AIR–22–09, adopt-
ed November 16, 2022). 
(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 
members of the Alaska aviation community or other 
stakeholders as the Administrator determines appro-
priate. 
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44745. Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.’’. 
SEC. 511. CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF FAA COMPLIANCE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 122 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (Public Law 116–260; 134 Stat. 2344) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) conduct an annual agency-wide evaluation 
of the Compliance Program through fiscal year 2028 
to assess the functioning and effectiveness of such 
program and to determine—
452 
‘‘(A) the need for long-term metrics that, 
to the maximum extent practicable, apply to all 
program offices to assess the effectiveness of 
the program; 
‘‘(B) if the program ensures the highest 
level of compliance with safety standards; and 
‘‘(C) if the program has met its stated 
safety goals and purpose;’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(4) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2028’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2028’’. 
SEC. 512. SCALABILITY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. 
In conducting any rulemaking to require, or imple-
menting a regulation requiring, a safety management sys-
tem, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall consider the scalability of such safety man-
agement system requirements to the full range of entities 
in terms of size or complexity that may be affected by such 
rulemaking or regulation, including— 
(1) how an entity can demonstrate compliance 
using various documentation, tools, and methods, in-
cluding, as appropriate, systems with multiple small 
operators collectively monitoring for and addressing 
risks;
453 
(2) a review of traditional safety management 
techniques and the suitability of such techniques for 
small entities; 
(3) the applicability of existing safety manage-
ment system programs implemented by an entity; 
(4) the suitability of existing requirements 
under part 5 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, for small entities; and 
(5) other unique challenges relating to small en-
tities the Administrator determines appropriate to 
consider. 
SEC. 513. FINALIZE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RULE-
MAKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule 
relating to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration titled ‘‘Safety Management 
Systems’’, issued on January 11, 2023. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—In issuing a final rule under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the 
safety management system requirement under the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking described in subsection (a) is ap-
plied to all certificate holders operating under the rules 
for commuter and on-demand operations under part 135
454 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, commercial air 
tour operators operating under section 91.147 of such 
title, production certificate holders that are holders or li-
censees of a type certificate for the same product, and 
holders of a type certificate who license out such certifi-
cate for production under part 21 of such title. 
SEC. 514. IMPROVEMENTS TO AVIATION SAFETY INFORMA-
TION ANALYSIS AND SHARING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall implement improve-
ments 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 
expeditiously 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 
requests for safety information;
455 
(5) establish guidance to encourage regular 
safety inspector review of non-confidential aviation 
safety and performance data; 
(6) identify industry segments not yet included 
and conduct outreach to such industry segments to 
increase the rate of participation, including— 
(A) general aviation; 
(B) rotorcraft; 
(C) air ambulance; and 
(D) maintenance facilities; and 
(7) establish processes for obtaining and ana-
lyzing comprehensive and aggregate data for new 
and future industry segments. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion 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. 
(d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and every 6 months there-
after until the improvements under subsection (a) are 
made, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on
456 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on the progress of im-
plementation of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis 
and Sharing Program and steps taken to make improve-
ments under subsection (a). 
SEC. 515. IMPROVEMENT OF CERTIFICATION PROCESSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall continually look for opportu-
nities and methods to improve the processing of applica-
tions, consideration of applications, communication with 
applicants, and quality of feedback provided to applicants, 
for aircraft certification projects. 
(b) CERTIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS.—Not later than 
270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall enter into an appropriate arrangement 
with a qualified third-party organization or consortium to 
identify and assess digital tools and software systems to 
allow for efficient and virtual evaluation of an applicant 
design, associated documentation, and software or systems 
engineering product, including in digital 3 dimensional 
formats or using model-based systems engineering design 
techniques for aircraft certification projects. 
(c) PARTIES TO REVIEW.—In identifying digital tools 
and software systems as described in subsection (b), the
457 
Administrator shall ensure that the qualified third-party 
organization or consortium entering into an arrangement 
under this section shall, throughout the review, consult 
with— 
(1) the aircraft certification and flight stand-
ards offices or services of the Administration; and 
(2) at least 3 industry members representing 
aircraft and aircraft part manufacturing interests. 
(d) DIGITAL TOOL
AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM RE-
QUIREMENTS.—In identifying digital tools and software 
systems under subsection (b), the qualified third-party or-
ganization or consortium shall— 
(1) consider the interoperability of such systems 
to the extent practicable; 
(2) consider the scalability and usability of such 
systems for differing use-cases by aircraft manufac-
turers, aircraft operators, and the Administration, 
including cross-office use-cases within the Adminis-
tration; 
(3) consider such systems currently in use by 
United States manufacturers or other civil aviation 
authorities for certification and engineering pur-
poses; 
(4) consider the—
458 
(A) available technology support for such 
systems; and 
(B) ability for such systems to be updated 
and adapted over time to improve user inter-
faces, 
including 
providing 
additional 
functionalities and addressing gaps; 
(5) consider the ability of digital tools and soft-
ware systems to aid in the electronic review of soft-
ware components of aircraft and aircraft systems; 
(6) consider the ability of the Administration 
and aircraft designers to use digital tools and soft-
ware systems for corrective actions and modifica-
tions in a more rapid fashion; 
(7) determine if each system provides adequate 
protections for the exchange of information between 
governmental and nongovernmental entities, includ-
ing— 
(A) intellectual property protections; 
(B) cyber and network security protec-
tions; and 
(C) the ability for governmental and non-
governmental entities to control what is accept-
able and what is restricted for other parties;
459 
(8) evaluate the estimated ease of adoption and 
any impediments to adoption for personnel of the 
Federal Aviation Administration; and 
(9) evaluate the ability for nongovernmental or-
ganizations of various sizes to adopt and utilize the 
digital and software systems identified under sub-
section (b) to improve the aircraft certification appli-
cation and coordination processes with the Adminis-
tration. 
(e) ASSESSMENT.—After reviewing digital and soft-
ware systems under subsection (b), the qualified third- 
party organization or consortium shall provide an assess-
ment to the Administrator as to— 
(1) whether or not digital and software systems 
and tools would improve the coordination of the Ad-
ministration with industry; 
(2) whether or not such systems and tools 
would improve the ability of the Administration to 
validate and verify aircraft and software designs in 
non-paper formats; and 
(3) the potential safety benefits or safety risks 
of using such systems and tools. 
(f) CONTENT OF ASSESSMENT.—In the event the 
qualified third-party organization or consortium finds that 
digital and software systems and tools would assist the
460 
work of the Administration and improve certification 
projects processing, the assessment described under sub-
section (e) shall also include— 
(1) a prioritization, expected costs, and timeline 
of acquisitions and training based on immediate and 
future needs and benefits; and 
(2) suggest actions the Administration could 
take in order to institutionalize the use of such tech-
nologies at the headquarters and field offices of the 
Administration, and to protect information shared 
through such technologies, including recommended 
updates to orders issued by the Administration. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION.—Based on the assessment re-
quired in subsections (e) and (f), if the qualified third- 
party organization finds that the use of digital software 
systems and tools would assist the work of the agency, 
the Administrator shall— 
(1) provide the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate with a briefing on the 
intended actions of the Administrator; 
(2) not later than 60 days after receiving such 
assessment develop a plan to—
461 
(A) work towards the acquisition of the 
systems and tools recommended, subject to the 
availability of appropriations; 
(B) update any applicable orders and guid-
ance to allow for the use of these new systems 
and tools by personnel of the Administration 
and nongovernmental entities applying to or co-
ordinating with the Administration on certifi-
cation related activities, at the discretion of the 
applicant or nongovernmental entity; 
(C) on an ongoing basis review and modify 
orders and guidance to improve the use of these 
systems and tools as well as addressing any in-
tellectual property vulnerabilities; and 
(h) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 months after re-
ceiving such assessment, the Administrator shall provide 
the committees described in paragraph (1) with a briefing 
on the use, benefits, and any drawbacks of the systems 
and tools, including comparisons between certification pro-
grams using and not using digital and software systems 
and tools. 
SEC. 516. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS 
AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
462 
Federal Aviation Administration 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 Adminis-
trator a report on such findings and recommendations and 
for other related purposes as determined by the Adminis-
trator. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall consist 
of members appointed by the Administrator, including 
representatives of— 
(1) holders of type certificates (as described in 
subpart B of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations); 
(2) holders of production certificates (as de-
scribed in subpart G of part 21, title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations); 
(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);
463 
(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 
Regulations) that are not also type certificate hold-
ers as included under paragraph (1), production cer-
tificate holders as included under paragraph (2), or 
aircraft operators as included under paragraph (5) 
(or associated 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); 
(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.
464 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The aviation rulemaking 
committee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall 
consider— 
(1) existing standards, regulations, certifi-
cations, assessments, and guidance related to in-
structions for continued airworthiness and the clar-
ity of such standards, regulations, certifications, as-
sessments, 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; 
(6) the need to harmonize or deconflict pro-
posed and existing regulations with other Federal 
regulations, 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
465 
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 en-
actment of this Act, submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a copy of 
the aviation rulemaking committee report under sub-
section (a); and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of 
submission of the report under paragraph (1), ini-
tiate a rulemaking activity or make such policy and 
guidance updates necessary to address any con-
sensus recommendations reached by the aviation 
rulemaking committee established pursuant to sub-
section (a), as determined appropriate by the Ad-
ministrator. 
SEC. 517. CLARITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFI-
CATE REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall issue or update guidance, 
policy documents, orders, job aids, or regulations to clarify
466 
the conditions under which a major alteration will require 
a supplemental type certificate under part 21 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Issuances or updates under sub-
section (a) shall include providing clarity around— 
(1) the terms ‘‘might appreciatively effect’’ and 
‘‘no appreciable effect pursuant to sections 1.1 and 
21.93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, re-
spectively’’; and 
(2) whether the term ‘‘other approved design’’, 
as such term appears in part 21.1 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, includes engineering data 
approved by the Administrator by means other than 
through a supplemental type certificate. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In satisfying subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall make such updates as necessary 
to provide consideration for the level of effort required by 
an applicant to make a major alteration and the associated 
level of risk to the national airspace system for a single 
aircraft or multiple aircraft using such alteration. 
SEC. 518. USE OF ADVANCED TOOLS IN CERTIFYING AERO-
SPACE PRODUCTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall complete an as-
467 
sessment of the use of advanced tools during the testing, 
analysis, and verification stages of aerospace certification 
projects to reduce the risks associated with high-risk flight 
profiles and performing limit testing. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the assess-
ment under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con-
sider— 
(1) instances where high risk flight profiles and 
limit testing have already occurred in the certifi-
cation process and the applicability of such test data 
for use in other aspects of flight testing; 
(2) the safety of pilots during such testing; 
(3) the value and accuracy of data collected 
using such advanced tools; 
(4) the ability to produce more extensive data 
sets using such advanced tools; 
(5) any aspects of testing for which the use of 
such tools would not be valuable or applicable; 
(6) the cost of using such advanced tools; and 
(7) the best practices of other civil aviation au-
thorities that permit the use of advanced tools dur-
ing aerospace certification projects. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the assessment 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult 
with—
468 
(1) aircraft manufacturers, including manufac-
turers that have designed and certified aircraft 
under— 
(A) part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations; 
(B) part 25 of such title; or 
(C) part 27 of such title; 
(2) aircraft manufacturers that have designed 
and certified, or are in the process of certifying, air-
craft with a novel design under part 21.17(b) of 
such title; 
(3) associations representing aircraft manufac-
turers; 
(4) researchers and academics in related fields; 
and 
(5) pilots who are experts in flight testing. 
(d) CONGRESSIONAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 
days after the completion of the assessment under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall brief the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on— 
(1) the results of the assessment conducted 
under subsection (a); and
469 
(2) how the Administrator plans to implement 
the findings of the assessment and any changes 
needed to Administration policy, guidance, and regu-
lations to allow for and optimize the use of advanced 
tools during the certification of aerospace products 
in order to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes. 
SEC. 519. TRANSPORT AIRPLANE AND PROPULSION CER-
TIFICATION MODERNIZATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking 
for the rulemaking activity titled ‘‘Transport Airplane and 
Propulsion Certification Modernization’’, published in Fall 
2022 in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (RIN 2120–AL42). 
SEC. 520. ENGINE FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall establish an inter-
nal regulatory review team to review and compare domes-
tic and international airworthiness standards and guid-
ance for aircraft engine firewalls. 
(b) REVIEW.—In completing the review under sub-
section (a), the regulatory review team shall—
470 
(1) identify any significant differences in stand-
ards or guidance with respect to test article selec-
tion, fire test boundaries, and pass-fail criteria; 
(2) consider if alternative international stand-
ards used by peer civil aviation authorities reflect 
best practices that should be adopted by the Admin-
istration; 
(3) recommend updates, if appropriate, to the 
Significant Standards List of the Administration 
based on any findings; 
(4) assess whether a selection of aircraft engine 
firewalls certified by other civil aviation authorities, 
which were validated by the Administration, comply 
with the requirements of the Administration; 
(5) recommend actions the Administration 
should take during future validation activities or 
with other civil aviation authorities to address any 
gaps in requirements; and 
(6) consult with industry stakeholders during 
such review. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 120 days after the 
completion of the review under subsection (a), the Admin-
istrator shall brief the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
471 
the Senate on the findings and recommendations stem-
ming from such review. 
SEC. 521. RISK MODEL FOR PRODUCTION FACILITY INSPEC-
TIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act and periodically there-
after, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the risk-based model 
used by Federal Aviation Administration certifi-
cation management offices to inform the frequency 
of aircraft manufacturing or production facility in-
spections; and 
(2) update the model to ensure such model ade-
quately accounts for risk at facilities during periods 
of increased production. 
(b) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date on which the review is conducted under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on— 
(1) the results of the review; 
(2) any changes made to the risk-based model 
described in subsection (a); and
472 
(3) how such changes would help improve the 
in-plant inspection process. 
SEC. 522. SECONDARY COCKPIT BARRIERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
issuance of a final rule on the proposed rule of the Federal 
Aviation Administration titled ‘‘Installation and Operation 
of Flightdeck Installed Physical Secondary Barriers on 
Transport Category Airlines in Part 121 Service’’, and 
issued on August 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 46892), the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review and 
develop findings and recommendations to require installa-
tion of a secondary cockpit barrier on commercial pas-
senger aircraft operated under the provisions of part 121 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that are not cap-
tured under another regulation or proposed regulation. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Administrator shall chair 
and appoint the 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;
473 
(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 
committee convened under subsection (a) shall consider— 
(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, man-
ufacturing, installation, and training for secondary 
barriers for such aircraft types; 
(5) flight duration and stage length; 
(6) the location of lavatory on such aircraft as 
related to operational complexities; 
(7) operational complexities; 
(8) any risks to safely evacuate passengers of 
such aircraft; and
474 
(9) other considerations the Administrator de-
termines 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 Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, a report based on the findings and recommenda-
tions of the aviation rulemaking committee convened 
under subsection (a), to include— 
(1) if applicable, any dissenting positions on the 
findings and the rationale for each position; and 
(2) any disagreements, including the rationale 
for each position and the reasons for the disagree-
ment. 
(e) INSTALLATION OF SECONDARY COCKPIT BAR-
RIERS
OF EXISTING AIRCRAFT.—Not later than 36 
months after the date of the submission of the report of 
subsection (d), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall, taking into consideration the final 
reported findings and recommendations of the aviation 
rulemaking committee, issue a final rule requiring installa-
tion of a secondary cockpit barrier on each commercial
475 
passenger aircraft operated under the provisions of part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 523. REVIEW OF FAA USE OF AVIATION SAFETY DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall enter into an appro-
priate arrangement with a qualified third-party organiza-
tion or consortium to evaluate the Administration’s collec-
tion, collation, analysis, and use of aviation data across 
the Administration. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In completing the evaluation 
under subsection (a), the qualified third-party organiza-
tion or consortium shall— 
(1) seek the input of experts in data analytics, 
including at least 1 expert in the commercial data 
services or analytics solutions sector; 
(2) consult with the National Transportation 
Safety Board and the Transportation Research 
Board; and 
(3) consult with appropriate federally funded 
research and development centers, to the extent that 
such centers are not already involved in the evalua-
tion.
476 
(c) SUBSTANCE OF EVALUATION.—In completing the 
evaluation under subsection (a), the qualified third-party 
organization or consortium shall— 
(1) compile a list of internal and external 
sources, databases, and streams of information the 
Administration receives or has access to that provide 
the Administration with operational or safety infor-
mation and data about the national airspace system, 
its users, and other regulated entities of the Admin-
istration; 
(2) review data sets to determine completeness 
and accuracy of relevant information; 
(3) identify gaps in information that the Ad-
ministration could fill through sharing agreements, 
partnerships, or other means that would add value 
during safety trend analysis; 
(4) assess the Administration’s capabilities, in-
cluding analysis systems and workforce skillsets, to 
analyze relevant data and information to make in-
formed decisions; 
(5) review data and information for proper stor-
age, identification controls, and data privacy— 
(A) as required by law; and 
(B) consistent with best practices for data 
collection, storage, and use;
477 
(6) review the format of such data and identify 
methods to improve the usefulness of such data; 
(7) assess internal and external access to data 
for— 
(A) appropriateness based on data type 
and level of detail; 
(B) proper data access protocols and pre-
cautions; and 
(C) maximizing availability of safety-re-
lated data that could support the improvement 
of safety management systems of and trend 
identification by regulated entities and the Ad-
ministration; 
(8) examine the collation and dissemination of 
data within offices and between offices of the Ad-
ministration; 
(9) review and recommend improvements to the 
data analysis techniques of the Administration; and 
(10) recommend investments the Administra-
tion should consider to better collect, manage, and 
analyze data sets, including within and between of-
fices of the Administration. 
(d) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—The Administration 
shall provide the qualified third-party organization or con-
sortium and the experts described in subsection (b) with
478 
adequate access to safety and operational data collected 
by and held by the agency across all offices of the Admin-
istration, except if specific access is otherwise prohibited 
by law. 
(e) NONDISCLOSURE.—Prior to participating in the 
review, the Administrator shall ensure that each person 
participating in the evaluation under this section enters 
into an agreement with the Administrator in which the 
person shall be prohibited from disclosing at any time, ex-
cept as required by law, to any person, foreign or domes-
tic, any non-public information made accessible to the fed-
erally funded research and development center under this 
section. 
(f) REPORT.—The qualified third-party organization 
or consortium carrying out the evaluation under this sec-
tion shall provide a report of the findings of the center 
to the Administrator and include recommendations to im-
prove the Administration’s collection, collation, analysis, 
and use of aviation data, including recommendations to— 
(1) improve data access across offices within 
the Administration, as necessary, to support efficient 
execution of safety analysis and programs across 
such offices; 
(2) improve data storage best practices;
479 
(3) develop or refine methods for collating data 
from multiple administration and industry sources; 
and 
(4) procure or use available analytics tools to 
draw conclusions and identify previously unrecog-
nized trends or miscategorized risks in the aviation 
system, particularly when identification of such in-
formation requires the analysis of multiple sets of 
data from multiple sources. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not 
later than 6 months after the receipt of the report under 
subsection (f), the Administrator shall review, develop an 
implementation plan, and begin the implementation of the 
recommendations received in such report. 
(h) REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION.—The qualified 
third-party organization or consortium that conducted the 
initial evaluation, and any experts who contributed to such 
evaluation pursuant to subsection (b)(1), shall provide 
regular feedback and advice to the Administrator on the 
implementation plan developed under subsection (g) and 
any implementation activities for at least 2 years begin-
ning on the date of the receipt of the report under sub-
section (f). 
(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
480 
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate the report described in subsection (f) and the im-
plementation plan described in subsection (g). 
(j) EXISTING
REPORTING
SYSTEMS.—Consistent 
with section 132 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and 
Accountability Act (Public Law 116–260), the Executive 
Director of the Transportation Research Board, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Ad-
ministrator, may further harmonize data and sources fol-
lowing the implementation of recommendations contained 
in the report required under subsection (g). 
(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to permit the public disclosure of 
information submitted under a voluntary safety reporting 
program or that is otherwise protected under section 
44735 of title 49, United States Code. 
SEC. 524. 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 of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall require that any operation conducted by a flightcrew 
member during an assigned duty period under the oper-
ational control of an operator holding a certificate under 
part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, before,
481 
during, or after the duty period (including any operations 
under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations), 
without an intervening rest period, shall count towards the 
flight time and duty period limitations of such flightcrew 
member under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations. 
(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) flightcrew assignments; 
(2) flightcrew 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 
management 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 rulemaking titled ‘‘Safety Management Systems’’, 
and published on January 11, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg 1932),
482 
shall ensure such operator is evaluating and appropriately 
mitigating aviation safety risks, including, at minimum, 
risks associated with— 
(1) inadequate flightcrew member duty and rest 
periods; and 
(2) incomplete records pertaining to flightcrew 
rest, duty, and flight times. 
(d) ORGAN TRANSPORTATION FLIGHTS.—In updat-
ing guidance and policy pursuant to subsection (b), the 
Administrator shall consider and allow for appropriate ac-
commodations, including accommodations related to sub-
sections (b)(2) and (b)(4) for operators— 
(1) performing organ transportation operations; 
and 
(2) who have in place a means by which to 
identify and mitigate risks associated with flightcrew 
duty and rest. 
SEC. 525. COCKPIT VOICE RECORDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 447 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 44746. Cockpit recording device 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
483 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall complete a 
rulemaking proceeding to— 
‘‘(1) require that, not later than 4 years after 
the date of enactment of this section, all applicable 
aircraft are fitted with a cockpit voice recorder and 
a flight data recorder that are each capable of re-
cording the most recent 25 hours of data; 
‘‘(2) prohibit any person from deliberately eras-
ing or tampering with any recording on such a cock-
pit voice recorder or flight data recorder following a 
National Transportation Safety Board reportable 
event under part 830 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, or where crew would reasonably believe 
an aircraft lined up on an incorrect runway or incor-
rect taxiway, the aircraft landing at the wrong air-
port, the aircraft significantly overpassed the des-
tination airport, or the crew have been alerted of a 
possible pilot deviation and provide for civil and 
criminal penalties for such deliberate erasing or tam-
pering, which may be assessed in accordance with 
section 1155 and section 32 of title 18; 
‘‘(3) require that such a cockpit voice recorder 
has the capability for an operator to use an erasure 
feature, such as an installed bulk erase function, 
consistent with applicable law and regulations;
484 
‘‘(4) require that, in the case of such a cockpit 
voice recorder or flight data recorder that uses a 
solid state recording medium in which activation of 
a bulk erase function assigns a random discrete code 
to the deleted recording, only the manufacturer of 
the recorder and National Transportation Safety 
Board have access to the software necessary to de-
termine the code in order to extract the deleted re-
corded data; and 
‘‘(5) ensure that data on such a cockpit voice 
recorder or a flight data recorder, through technical 
means other than encryption (such as overwriting or 
the substitution of a blank recording medium before 
the recorder is returned to the owner) is not dis-
closed for use other than for accident or incident in-
vestigation purposes. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITED USE.—A cockpit voice recorder re-
cording shall not be used by the Administrator or any em-
ployer for any certificate action, civil penalty, or discipli-
nary proceedings against flight crewmembers. 
‘‘(c) APPLICABLE AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘applicable aircraft’ means an aircraft that 
is— 
‘‘(1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; and
485 
‘‘(2) required by regulation to have a cockpit 
voice recorder or a flight data recorder. 
‘‘(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to affect— 
‘‘(1) the confidentiality of recordings and tran-
scripts under section 1114(c); 
‘‘(2) the ban on recordings for civil penalty or 
certificate action 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 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is further amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘44746. Cockpit recording device.’’. 
SEC. 526. FLIGHT DATA RECOVERY FROM OVERWATER OP-
ERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall direct the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as 
the ‘‘Committee’’ in this section) to review regulations re-
garding flight data recovery for aircraft— 
(1) operated under part 121 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations; and
486 
(2) used in extended overwater operations. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the review 
pursuant to subsection (a), the Committee shall provide 
to the Administrator any consensus recommendations for 
the equipage of aircraft described in subsection (a) with 
a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder that— 
(1) provide 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) is equipped with a tamper-resistant method 
to broadcast sufficient information to a ground sta-
tion to establish the location where an aircraft ter-
minates flight as the result of an accident within 6 
nautical miles of the point of impact of the aircraft; 
and 
(3) is equipped with an airframe low-frequency 
underwater locating device that functions for at least 
90 days and that can be detected by appropriate 
equipment. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 18 months 
after tasking the aviation rulemaking advisory committee 
under subsection (a), the committee shall submit to the
487 
Administrator any consensus recommendations developed 
under subsection (b). 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 1 year after re-
ceiving any recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), 
the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking activity 
based on such consensus recommendations, if determined 
appropriate. 
(e) BRIEFING.—If the Administrator decides not to 
issue a final rule with respect to the rulemaking initiated 
under subsection (d), the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
justification for such decision. 
SEC. 527. EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ON PAS-
SENGER AIRCRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months after 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall review and update, 
as appropriate, part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regu-
lations, regarding emergency medical equipment, including 
the contents of emergency medical kits, and training re-
quired for flight crew. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall consider—
488 
(1) the benefits and costs (including the costs 
of flight diversions and emergency landings) of re-
quiring any new medications or equipment necessary 
to be included in approved emergency medical kits 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions; 
(2) whether the contents of the emergency med-
ical kits include the appropriate medications and 
equipment that can practicably be administered to 
address— 
(A) the emergency medical needs of chil-
dren and pregnant women; 
(B) opioid overdose; 
(C) anaphylaxis; and 
(D) cardiac arrest; and 
(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) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con-
sult with associations representing aerospace medical pro-
fessionals.
489 
SEC. 528. NAVIGATION AIDS STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate a study exam-
ining the effects of reclassifying navigation aids to Design 
Assurance Level–A from Design Assurance Level–B, in-
cluding the following navigation aids: 
(1) Distance measuring equipment. 
(2) Very high frequency omni-directional range. 
(3) Tactical air navigation. 
(4) Wide area augmentation system. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the inspector general shall address— 
(1) the cost-benefit analyses associated with the 
reclassification described in such subsection; 
(2) the findings from the operational safety as-
sessments and preliminary hazard analyses of the 
navigation aids listed in such subsection; 
(3) the risks of such reclassification on naviga-
tion aid equipment currently in use; 
(4) the potential impacts on global interoper-
ability of navigational aids; and 
(5) what additional actions should be taken 
based on the findings of this subsection. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general shall
490 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report describing the results of the study con-
ducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 529. REMOTE TOWERS. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with a qualified organiza-
tion to conduct a study examining the viability and 
feasibility of remote tower technology available on 
the date of enactment of this Act to accommodate 
existing air traffic activity at non-towered, public-use 
airports and airports with a visual flight rule air 
traffic control tower. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In the study conducted 
under subsection (a), the qualified organization se-
lected under such subsection shall consider and in-
clude in such study— 
(A) the effectiveness and adequacy of the 
pilot program established under section 161 of 
the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 
U.S.C. 47104 note) in—
491 
(i) assessing the installation, mainte-
nance, and operational costs and benefits 
of remote tower technology; and 
(ii) establishing a clear process for the 
safety and operational certification of such 
technology; 
(B) a description of actions that the Ad-
ministration has undertaken to carry out such 
pilot program; 
(C) any barriers related to the safety and 
operational certification of such technology; 
(D) the number and type of non-towered 
airports in the national airspace system; 
(E) the availability and development of re-
mote tower technology; 
(F) the potential to use remote tower sys-
tems to control air traffic at multiple airports 
and from a single physical location, similar to 
a terminal radar approach control facility; 
(G) staffing flexibility to support seasonal 
staffing of remote towers; 
(H) safety factors related to the potential 
need for such remote tower technology; 
(I) the potential to use remote tower sys-
tems to surveil for unmanned aircraft, in con-
492 
junction with unmanned aircraft system traffic 
management systems, to enhance air traffic 
management of manned air traffic; 
(J) factors related to the demand for re-
mote tower technology; 
(K) an examination of remote tower use in 
other countries; 
(L) projected costs associated with install-
ing and maintain remote tower technology at a 
single airport; and 
(M) recommendations regarding the most 
cost-effective approach to provide air traffic 
control services at non-towered airports in the 
national airspace system. 
(3) INPUT.—In carrying out the study under 
subsection (a), the qualified organization selected 
under such subsection shall— 
(A) seek coordination with the Air Traffic 
Organization and other offices of the Adminis-
tration; and 
(B) seek the participation of representa-
tives of— 
(i) the exclusive bargaining represent-
atives of air traffic controllers certified
493 
under section 7111 of title 5, United 
States Code; 
(ii) manufacturers of remote towers; 
(iii) airport operators; and 
(iv) other stakeholders that the Ad-
ministrator determines appropriate. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report detailing the 
results of the study under subsection (a). 
(b) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the completion of the study required under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall establish a proc-
ess for the certification of system design and oper-
ational approval of remote towers for use at public- 
use airports. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (b), the Administrator shall consult with the 
following:
494 
(A) The exclusive bargaining representa-
tive of the air traffic controllers certified under 
section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. 
(B) Manufacturers of remote towers. 
(C) Non-towered airport operators. 
(3) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the certifi-
cation process required under subsection (b), the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(A) establish requirements for the system 
design and operational approval of remote tow-
ers, including— 
(i) sensor and camera visual require-
ments; 
(ii) datalink latency requirements; and 
(iii) visual presentation design re-
quirements for monitors used to display 
sensor and camera feeds; 
(B) establish tower-closure standards for 
contingency operations and procedures for re-
mote tower failures and malfunctions; and 
(C) consider the use of— 
(i) ground– and space–based tele-
communications infrastructure; and
495 
(ii) any other wireless telecommuni-
cations infrastructure that may enable the 
operation of a remote tower. 
(4) OPERATIONAL APPROVAL ASSESSMENTS.— 
In developing the operational approval process re-
quired under this subsection, the Administrator 
shall— 
(A) determine the appropriate number of 
air traffic controllers necessary to staff a re-
mote tower for safe air traffic control oper-
ations at the respective airport based on the ex-
isting or projected air traffic activity at the air-
port; 
(B) use a safety risk management panel 
process to address any safety issues with re-
spect to the remote tower; 
(C) if the remote tower is intended to be 
installed at a non-towered airport, assess the 
safety benefits of the remote tower against the 
lack of an existing tower; and 
(D) establish, to the satisfaction of the Ad-
ministrator and using performance-based cri-
teria, to the extent appropriate, published in 
advance, the level of safety necessary for the 
operation of the remote tower at the airport.
496 
(5) AIRPORT OPERATORS.—An airport operator 
seeking to install or construct a certified remote 
tower shall submit to the Administrator an applica-
tion in such form and containing such information 
as the Administrator may require. 
(6) IMPLEMENTATION.—In carrying out this 
section, the Administrator shall— 
(A) identify air traffic control information 
and data that assists the Administrator in cat-
egorically certifying remote towers at different 
types of airports; 
(B) implement processes necessary to col-
lect the information and data identified in sub-
paragraph (A); and 
(C) develop criteria from the information 
and data identified in subparagraph (A) to as-
sess remote towers for widespread use at cat-
egories of public-use airports. 
(7) PRIORITIZATION OF REMOTE TOWER CER-
TIFICATION APPLICANTS.—With respect to applica-
tions submitted as required by paragraph (4), the 
Administrator shall prioritize— 
(A) airports that do not have a permanent 
air traffic control tower at the time of applica-
tion;
497 
(B) airports that would provide small and 
rural community air service; or 
(C) airports that have been newly accepted 
as of the date of enactment of this Act into the 
Contract Tower Program. 
(8) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after 
receiving the report required under subsection (a), 
and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2028, 
the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
status of the activities required under this section. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AIR
TRAFFIC
ACTIVITY.—The term ‘‘air 
traffic activity’’ means the number of takeoffs, land-
ings, and simulated approaches of an airport and 
the time of which such takeoffs, landings, and simu-
lated approaches occur. 
(2) CONTRACT
TOWER
PROGRAM.—The term 
‘‘Contract Tower Program’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 47124(e) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(3) 
QUALIFIED
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term 
‘‘qualified organization’’ means an independent non-
498 
profit organization that recommends solutions to 
public policy challenges through objective analysis. 
(4) REMOTE
TOWER.—The term ‘‘remote 
tower’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
161(a)(9) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 47104 note). 
SEC. 530. WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEMS STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall initiate a study to examine how 
to improve the procurement, functionality, and sustain-
ability of weather reporting systems, including— 
(1) automated weather observing systems; 
(2) automated surface observing systems; 
(3) visual weather observing systems; and 
(4) non-Federal weather reporting systems. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study required 
under section (a), the Comptroller General shall address— 
(1) the current state of the supply chain related 
to weather reporting systems and the components of 
such systems, including— 
(A) the adequacy of suppliers of such sys-
tems and components; 
(B) the affordability of such systems and 
components; and
499 
(C) the availability and affordability of re-
placement parts; 
(2) the average age of weather reporting sys-
tems infrastructure installed in the national airspace 
system; 
(3) challenges to maintaining and replacing 
weather reporting systems, including— 
(A) root causes of weather reporting sys-
tem outages, including failures of such systems, 
and supporting systems such as telecommuni-
cations infrastructure; and 
(B) the degree to which such outages af-
fect weather reporting in the national airspace 
system; 
(4) mitigation measures to maintain aviation 
safety during such an outage; and 
(5) alternative means of obtaining weather ele-
ments at airports, including wind direction, wind 
speed, barometric pressure setting, and cloud cov-
erage, including visibility. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
consult with the appropriate stakeholders and Federal 
agencies involved in installing, managing, and supporting 
weather reporting systems in the national airspace system.
500 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report describ-
ing the results of the study conducted under sub-
section (a). 
(2) 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
Comptroller 
General shall include in the report submitted under 
paragraph (1) recommendations for— 
(A) ways to improve the resiliency and re-
dundancy of weather reporting systems; 
(B) alternative means of compliance for 
obtaining weather elements at airports; and 
(C) if necessary, changes to Orders of the 
Administration, including the following: 
(i) Surface Weather Observing, Joint 
Order 7900.5. 
(ii) Notices to Air Missions, Joint 
Order 7930.2.
501 
SEC. 531. GAO STUDY ON EXPANSION OF THE FAA WEATH-
ER CAMERA PROGRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the feasibility and benefits 
and costs of expanding the Weather Camera Program of 
the Federal Aviation Administration to locations in the 
United States that lack weather camera services. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
review— 
(1) the potential effects of the existing Weather 
Camera Program on weather-related aviation acci-
dents and flight interruptions; 
(2) the potential benefits and costs associated 
with expanding the Weather Camera Program; 
(3) limitations on the real-time access of weath-
er camera information by pilots and aircraft opera-
tors; 
(4) non-safety related regulatory structures or 
barriers to the allowable use of weather camera in-
formation for the purposes of aircraft operations; 
(5) limitations of existing weather camera sys-
tems at the time of the study; 
(6) alternative sources of viable weather data; 
(7) funding mechanisms for weather camera in-
stallation and operations; and
502 
(8) other considerations the Comptroller Gen-
eral determines appropriate. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 28 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of 
the study required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 532. AUDIT ON AVIATION SAFETY IN ERA OF WIRELESS 
CONNECTIVITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the 
Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of 
the Federal Aviation Administration’s internal processes 
and procedures to communicate the position of civil avia-
tion operators and the safety of the national airspace sys-
tem to the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration regarding proposed spectrum reallocations 
or auction decisions. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—In conducting the audit described 
in subsection (a), the inspector general shall assess best 
practices and policy recommendations for the Federal 
Aviation Administration to—
503 
(1) improve internal processes by which pro-
posed spectrum reallocations or auctions are thor-
oughly reviewed in advance to ensure that any com-
ments or technical concerns regarding aviation safe-
ty from civil aviation stakeholders are communicated 
to the National Telecommunications and Informa-
tion Administration that are to be submitted to the 
Federal Communications Commission; 
(2) develop internal processes and procedures to 
assess the effects a proposed spectrum reallocation 
or auction may have on the national airspace system 
in a timely manner to ensure safety of the national 
airspace system; 
(3) improve external communication processes 
to better inform civil aviation stakeholders, including 
owners and operators of civil aircraft, on any com-
ments or technical concerns of the Federal Aviation 
Administration relating to a proposed spectrum re-
allocation or auction that may impact the national 
airspace system; and 
(4) better communicate to the National Tele-
communications and Information Administration 
when a proposed spectrum reallocation or auction 
may pose a potential risk to aviation safety.
504 
(c) STAKEHOLDER VIEWS.—In conducting the audit 
pursuant to subsection (a), the inspector general shall con-
sult with relevant stakeholders, including— 
(1) air carriers operating under part 121 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft com-
ponents; 
(3) wireless communication carriers; 
(4) labor unions representing pilots; 
(5) air traffic system safety specialists; 
(6) other representatives of the communications 
industry; 
(7) aviation safety experts; 
(8) the National Telecommunications and Infor-
mation Administration; and 
(9) the Federal Communications Commission. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
on which the audit is conducted pursuant to subsection 
(a), the inspector general shall complete and submit a re-
port on findings and recommendations to— 
(1) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration; 
(2) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives;
505 
(3) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Technology of the Senate. 
SEC. 533. RAMP WORKER SAFETY CALL TO ACTION. 
(a) CALL TO ACTION RAMP WORKER SAFETY RE-
VIEW.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration shall initiate a Call to Action safety 
review of airport ramp worker safety in order to bring 
stakeholders together to share best practices and imple-
ment actions to address airport ramp worker safety. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Call to Action safety review re-
quired pursuant to subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) a review of Administration regulations, 
guidance, and directives related to airport ramp 
worker procedures and oversight of such processes; 
(2) a review of reportable accidents and inci-
dents involving airport ramp workers, including any 
identified contributing factors to the reportable acci-
dent or incident; 
(3) a review of training and related educational 
materials for airport ramp workers, including super-
visory employees;
506 
(4) a review of devices and methods for commu-
nication on the ramp; 
(5) a review of markings on the ramp that de-
fine restriction, staging, safety, or hazard zones; 
(6) a review of aircraft jet blast and engine in-
take safety markings; and 
(7) a process for stakeholders, including air-
lines, 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 
pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results 
of the review and any recommendations for actions 
or best practices to improve airport ramp worker 
safety, including the identification of risks and pos-
sible mitigations to be considered in any applicable 
safety management system of air carriers and air-
ports; and 
(2) initiate such actions as are necessary to act 
upon the findings of the review under subsection (b).
507 
(d) TRAINING MATERIALS.—Not later than 6 months 
after the completion of the safety review required under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall develop and pub-
lish training and related educational materials about air-
craft engine ingestion and jet blast hazards for ground 
crews (including supervisory employees) that includes in-
formation 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. 
SEC. 534. SAFETY DATA ANALYSIS FOR AIRCRAFT WITHOUT 
TRANSPONDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with the 
Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, 
shall collect and analyze data relating to accidents and in-
cidents involving covered exempt aircraft that occurred 
within 30 nautical miles of an airport.
508 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The analysis required under 
subsection (a) shall include with respect to covered exempt 
aircraft a review of— 
(1) incident and accident data since 2006; 
(2) incidents and accidents involving midair 
events, including collisions; 
(3) incidents and accidents involving ground 
proximity warning system alerts; 
(4) incidents and accidents involving traffic col-
lision avoidance system alerts; 
(5) incidents and accidents involving a loss of 
separation or near miss; and 
(6) the causes of the accidents and incidents 
described in paragraphs (1) through (5). 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the results of the analysis re-
quired under subsection (a) and, if appropriate, rec-
ommendations on how to reduce the number of incidents 
and accidents associated with such covered exempt air-
craft.
509 
(d) COVERED EXEMPT AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘covered exempt aircraft’’ means air-
craft, balloons, and gliders exempt from air traffic control 
transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use re-
quirements under part 91.215(b)(3) of title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 535. CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS IN ROTOR-
CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall task the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee to— 
(1) review the data analysis conducted and the 
recommendations developed by the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee Rotorcraft Occupant 
Protection Working Group of the Administration; 
(2) update the 2018 report of such working 
group on rotorcraft occupant protection by— 
(A) reviewing National Transportation 
Safety Board data from 2016 through 2023 on 
post-crash fires in helicopter accidents; and 
(B) determining whether and to what ex-
tent crash-resistant fuel systems could have 
prevented fatalities; and 
(3) develop recommendations for either the Ad-
ministrator or the helicopter industry to encourage
510 
helicopter owners and operators to expedite the in-
stallation of crash-resistant fuel systems in the air-
craft of such owners and operators regardless of 
original certification and manufacture date. 
(b) SCHEDULE.— 
(1) DEADLINE.—Not later than 18 months 
after the Administrator tasks the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee under subsection (a), 
the Committee shall submit the recommendations 
developed under subsection (a)(2) to the Adminis-
trator. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—If applicable, and not 
later than 180 days after receiving the recommenda-
tions under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall— 
(A) begin implementing, as appropriate, 
any consensus safety recommendations the Ad-
ministrator receives from the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee, and brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate on any recommenda-
tions the Administrator does not implement; 
and
511 
(B) partner with the United States Heli-
copter Safety Team, as appropriate, to facilitate 
implementation of any recommendations for the 
helicopter industry pursuant to subsection 
(a)(2) 
SEC. 536. REDUCING TURBULENCE ON PART 121 AIRCRAFT 
OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall review and imple-
ment, as appropriate, the recommendations made by the 
Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board to the 
Administrator contained in the safety research report ti-
tled ‘‘Preventing Turbulence-Related Injuries in Air Car-
rier Operations Conducted Under Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations Part 121’’, issued on August 10, 2021 
(NTSB/SS–21/01). 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
completing the review under subsection (a), and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the status of the
512 
recommendations in the safety research report de-
scribed in subsection (a) until the earlier of— 
(A) the date on which such recommenda-
tions have been adopted; or 
(B) the date that is 10 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) CONTENTS.—If the Administrator decides 
not to implement a recommendation in the safety re-
search report described in subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall provide, as a part of the report re-
quired under paragraph (1), a description of why the 
Administrator did not implement such recommenda-
tion. 
SEC. 537. STUDY ON RADIATION EXPOSURE. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall seek to enter into an agree-
ment with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineer-
ing, and Medicine under which the National Research 
Council of the National Academies shall conduct a study 
on radiation exposure onboard various aircraft types oper-
ated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions.
513 
(b) SCOPE
OF STUDY.—In conducting the study 
under subsection (a), the National Research Council shall 
assess— 
(1) radiation concentrations in such aircraft at 
takeoff, in-flight at high altitudes, and upon landing; 
(2) the health risks and impact of radiation ex-
posure to flight attendants and passengers onboard 
aircraft operating at high altitudes; and 
(3) mitigation measures to prevent and reduce 
the health and safety impacts of radiation exposure 
to flight attendants and passengers. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 16 
months after the initiation of the study required under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress the study conducted by the 
National Research Council pursuant to this section. 
(d) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate commit-
tees of Congress’’ means the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate. 
SEC. 538. DETERRING CREWMEMBER INTERFERENCE. 
(a) TASK FORCE.—
514 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
convene a task force to develop voluntary standards 
and best practices relating to suspected violations of 
sections 46318, 46503, and 46504 of title 49, 
United States Code, including— 
(A) proper and consistent incident docu-
mentation and reporting techniques; 
(B) best practices for flight crew and cabin 
crew response, including de-escalation; 
(C) improved coordination between stake-
holders, including flight crew and cabin crew, 
airport staff, other Federal agencies as appro-
priate, and law enforcement; and 
(D) appropriate enforcement actions. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The task force convened 
under paragraph (1) shall be comprised representa-
tives of— 
(A) air carriers; 
(B) airport sponsors and airport law en-
forcement agencies; 
(C) other Federal agencies determined nec-
essary by the Administrator;
515 
(D) labor organizations representing air 
carrier pilots; 
(E) labor organizations representing flight 
attendants; and 
(F) 
labor 
organizations 
representing 
ticketing, check-in, or other customer service 
representatives employed by air carriers. 
(b) ANNOUNCEMENTS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
initiate such actions as may be necessary to include in the 
briefing of passengers before takeoff required under sec-
tion 121.571 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, a 
statement informing passengers that it is against Federal 
law to assault or threaten to assault any individual on an 
aircraft or interfere with the duties of a crewmember. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
definitions in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, shall apply to terms in this section. 
SEC. 539. CABIN TEMPERATURE STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall review existing 
standards produced by recognized industry standards or-
ganizations on safe air temperatures and humidity levels 
in enclosed environments, including onboard aircraft, and
516 
determine the validity of such standards, including the 
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Con-
ditioning Engineers (in this section referred to as 
‘‘ASHRAE’’) standards titled ‘‘Air Quality within Com-
mercial Aircraft’’ (ASHRAE Guideline 28–2021) and 
‘‘Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occu-
pancy’’ (ASHRAE Standard 55–2020). 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with— 
(1) certificate holders under part 121 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(2) certified labor representatives of flight at-
tendants, pilots, and other crewmembers; 
(3) relevant Federal agencies; and 
(4) other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. 
(c) ACADEMIC STUDY.—In the event that the Admin-
istrator determines, through the review carried out under 
subsection (a), that there is not an appropriate standard 
to determine unsafe temperatures onboard aircraft oper-
ated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, the Administrator shall enter into an appropriate 
agreement with the National Academies to— 
(1) conduct a study of unsafe aircraft cabin 
temperatures and aircraft conditions that contribute 
to such temperatures; and
517 
(2) provide recommendations for air carriers 
and aircraft manufacturers to improve the manage-
ment of temperature and related factors onboard 
aircraft. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) FAA.—Not later than 3 months after com-
pleting the review required under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the findings and determination of the review. 
(2) NATIONAL ACADEMIES.—If a report is pro-
duced under subsection (c), not later than 1 month 
after receiving such report the Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate such report. 
SEC. 540. CABIN AIR QUALITY. 
(a) REPORTING OF SMOKE OR FUME EVENTS ON-
BOARD COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
518 
shall develop a standardized system for a flight at-
tendants, pilots, and aircraft maintenance techni-
cians of air carriers to voluntarily report fume 
events onboard passenger-carrying aircraft operating 
under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(2) INFORMATION
SUBMISSION.—The system 
developed under paragraph (1) shall include a meth-
od of submission, which shall request at least the 
following information: 
(A) Identification of the flight number, 
type, and registration of the aircraft. 
(B) The date of the reported fume event 
onboard the aircraft. 
(C) Description of smoke or fume in the 
aircraft, including the nature, intensity, and 
visual consistency or smell (if any). 
(D) The location of the smoke or fumes in 
the aircraft. 
(E) The source (if discernible) of the 
smoke or fumes in the aircraft. 
(F) The phase of flight during which 
smoke or fumes first became present. 
(G) The duration of the fume event.
519 
(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 Ad-
ministrator shall issue guidelines on how to submit 
the information described in paragraph (2). 
(4) CONFIRMATION
OF
SUBMISSION.—Upon 
submitting 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 publish any information sub-
mitted under this section; 
(B) shall maintain a database of such in-
formation; 
(C) at the request of an air carrier, shall 
provide to such air carrier any information sub-
mitted under this section that is relevant to 
such air carrier, except any information that 
may be used to identify the party submitting 
such information;
520 
(D) may not, without validation, assume 
that information submitted under this section is 
accurate for the purposes of initiating rule-
making or taking an enforcement action; 
(E) may use information submitted under 
this section to inform the oversight of the safety 
management system of an air carrier; and 
(F) may use information submitted under 
this section for the purpose of performing a 
study or supporting a study sponsored by the 
Administrator. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall seek to 
enter into the appropriate arrangements with the 
National Academies to conduct a study and issue 
recommendations to be made publicly available per-
taining to cabin air quality and any risk of, and po-
tential for, persistent and accidental fume events on-
board a passenger-carrying aircraft operating under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) SCOPE.—In carrying out a study pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the National Academies shall ex-
amine—
521 
(A) the information collected pursuant to 
subsection (a); 
(B) the report issued pursuant to section 
326 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 
(49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and any identified as-
sumptions or gaps described in such report; 
(C) any health risks or impacts of fume 
events on flight crews, including flight attend-
ants 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 events in such aircraft; 
(E) instances of accidental, unexpected, or 
irregularly occurring (as determined by the Na-
tional Academies) fume events on such aircraft, 
including whether such accidental events are 
more frequent during various phases of oper-
ations, including ground operations, taxiing, 
take off, cruise, and landing; 
(F) the likely originating material of, and 
the air contaminants present during, the situa-
tions described in subparagraphs (D) and (E);
522 
(G) the frequencies, durations, and likely 
causes of the situations described in subpara-
graphs (D) and (E); and 
(H) any additional data on fume events as 
determined appropriate by the National Acad-
emies. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The National Acad-
emies shall provide recommendations based on the 
study conducted under paragraph (1)— 
(A) that shall, at minimum, address how 
to— 
(i) improve overall cabin air quality of 
passenger-carrying aircraft; 
(ii) improve the detection, accuracy, 
and reporting of fume events; and 
(iii) reduce the frequency and impact 
of fume events; and 
(B) for any updates to standards, guide-
lines, or regulations that could help achieve the 
recommendations described in subparagraph 
(A). 
(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 Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
523 
ture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a copy of such study. 
(c) FUME EVENT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘fume event’’ means the presence of fumes in the 
cabin, including smoke. 
SEC. 541. EVACUATION STANDARDS FOR TRANSPORT CAT-
EGORY AIRPLANES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall task the Aviation 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee with reviewing and pro-
posing updates to the evacuation requirements under sec-
tion 25.803 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
appendix J to part 25 of such title. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In tasking the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee under subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall, at a minimum, task the Committee to— 
(1) evaluate whether the representative pas-
senger loads, prescribed in regulation on the date of 
enactment of this Act, represent a realistic composi-
tion of passengers on an aircraft operated under 
part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
including accounting for— 
(A) children, including infants;
524 
(B) passengers who do not speak English; 
(C) passengers with disabilities; and 
(D) service animals (as such term is de-
fined in section 35.104 and 36.104 of title 28, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regu-
lations); and 
(2) determine if there are technologies or tech-
niques that can be used to more accurately represent 
categories of passengers who are unable to provide 
consent during evacuation testing, but should be 
simulated in such testing; 
(3) evaluate whether the requirements pre-
scribed in regulation on the date of enactment of 
this Act adequately consider the varying sizes, 
weight, and matter or baggage present in an aircraft 
cabin; and 
(4) determine whether the evacuation testing 
performed, associated with section 25.803 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, considers the seat 
size, seat pitch, seating layout, aisle width, and aisle 
layout of the aircraft type being tested. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In tasking the Aviation Rule-
making Advisory Committee under subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall allow such Committee to consult with the 
National Transportation Safety Board, transport category
525 
aircraft manufacturers, air carriers certificated under part 
121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, crew mem-
bers of such air carriers, emergency responders, groups 
representing passengers and passengers with disabilities, 
and other relevant experts. 
(d) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 18 months after 
receiving such recommendations to update section 25.803 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and appendix J 
to part 25 of such title, the Administrator shall issue a 
final rulemaking based on the recommendations provided 
by the aviation rulemaking advisory committee tasked 
under this section, as necessary. 
(e) PASSENGER WITH DISABILITIES.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘passenger with disabilities’’ means any 
qualified individual with a disability, as such term is de-
fined in section 382.3 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or successor regulations. 
SEC. 542. LITHIUM–ION POWERED WHEELCHAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall task the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Com-
mittee (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’) 
to conduct a review of regulations regarding lithium–ion 
battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids and provide 
recommendations to the Secretary to ensure safe transport
526 
of such wheelchairs and mobility aids in air transpor-
tation. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Committee shall consider 
the following: 
(1) Any existing or necessary standards for lith-
ium–ion batteries, including casings or other similar 
components, in such wheelchairs and mobility aids. 
(2) The availability of necessary containment or 
storage devices, including fire containment covers or 
fire-resistant storage containers, for such wheel-
chairs and mobility aids. 
(3) The policies of each air carrier (as such 
term is defined in part 121 of title 14, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations) pertaining to lithium–ion battery 
powered wheelchairs and mobility aids (as in effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act). 
(4) Any other considerations the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In conducting 
the review required under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall consult with the Administrator of the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—
527 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion of the re-
view conducted under subsection (a), the Committee 
shall notify the Secretary if an air carrier does not 
have a policy pertaining to lithium–ion battery pow-
ered wheelchairs and mobility aids in effect. 
(2) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall notify 
an air carrier described in paragraph (1) of the sta-
tus of such air carrier. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after submission of the recommendations to the Secretary, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate any recommendations under sub-
section (a), in the form of a report. 
(f) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the 
report required under subsection (e) on the public website 
of the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 543. NATIONAL SIMULATOR PROGRAM POLICIES AND 
GUIDANCE. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall review relevant policies and 
guidance, including all advisory circulars, information bul-
528 
letins, and directives, pertaining to part 60 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) UPDATES.—Upon completion of the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall, at 
a minimum, update the following: 
(1) Advisory Circular 120–40B, issued July 29, 
1991. 
(2) Advisory Circular 120–45A, issued Feb-
ruary 5, 1992. 
(3) Advisory Circular 120–50A, issued Feb-
ruary 9, 1996. 
(4) Advisory Circular 120–63, issued October 
11, 1994. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review re-
quired under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con-
vene and consult with entities required to comply with part 
60 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including rep-
resentatives of— 
(1) air carriers; 
(2) flight schools certificated under part 141 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; 
(3) training centers certificated under part 142 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(4) manufacturers and suppliers of flight sim-
ulation training devices (as defined in part 1 of title
529 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, and Appendix F to 
part 60 of such title). 
SEC. 544. GAO STUDY ON FAA NATIONAL SIMULATOR PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a study into the Na-
tional Simulator Program of the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration that is part of the Air Transportation Division’s 
Training and Simulation Group. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall, at a minimum, assesses— 
(1) how the program described under subsection 
(a), is maintained to reflect and account for ad-
vancement in technologies pertaining to flight sim-
ulation training devices (as defined in part 1 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations, and appendix F to 
part 60 of such title); 
(2) the staffing levels, critical competencies, 
and skills gaps of Administration personnel respon-
sible for carrying out and supporting the program 
described in subsection (a); and 
(3) how the program described in subsection (a) 
engages air carriers and relevant industry stake-
530 
holders, including flight schools, to ensure efficient 
compliance with part 60 of such title. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the findings of the study conducted 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 545. GAO STUDY ON FAA ALIGNMENT WITH BEST 
AVAILABLE 
TECHNOLOGIES 
AND 
STAND-
ARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the incorporation 
of best available technologies by the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration to increase aviation safety and improve the 
health and safety of aviation workers. 
(b) SCOPE.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) analyze the degree to which the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration is ena-
bling the use or adoption of technologies used by 
other air navigation service providers to meet ICAO 
standards; and
531 
(2) identify any barriers to adoption of such 
technologies. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
report to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the findings of the study. 
(d) ICAO DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘ICAO’’ means the International Civil Aviation Organiza-
tion. 
SEC. 546. INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT. 
Section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator may 
consider and approve a proposed incremental design 
change request from a type certificate holder, if such 
holder is required by the Administrator to make a 
safety-related design change to bring a product into 
compliance, even if the proposed incremental design 
change does not eliminate all noncompliant condi-
tions.
532 
‘‘(2) 
PROPOSED
INCREMENTAL
DESIGN 
CHANGE.—A proposed incremental design change 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) be related to the required safety-re-
lated design change described in this sub-
section; 
‘‘(B) improve the overall safety of the air-
craft; 
‘‘(C) not decrease the level of safety of 
other components or systems on the aircraft; 
‘‘(D) be in the public interest; 
‘‘(E) not include any substantial changes; 
‘‘(F) be recorded on a type certificate data 
sheet or other public instrument that notifies 
the public of such design changes; and 
‘‘(G) be considered through a process that 
applies appropriate requirements as determined 
by the Administrator. 
‘‘(3) FULL COMPLIANCE.—An approval issued 
under this subsection shall not be construed to re-
lieve a type certificate holder from addressing all 
noncompliant conditions under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) DEADLINE.—In issuing an approval under 
this subsection, the Administrator shall impose a
533 
deadline by which all non-compliant conditions re-
lated to the design change shall be addressed. 
‘‘(5) SAFETY-RELATED
DESIGN
CHANGE
DE-
FINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘safety-related 
design change’ means a design change that has any 
effect on the safety of the aircraft.’’. 
SEC. 547. VOLUNTARY REPORTING PROTECTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 40123(a) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘or third party’’ after ‘‘nor any 
agency’’. 
(b) PROTECTED INFORMATION.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall pro-
mulgate regulations to amend part 193 of title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations, to designate and protect from dis-
closure information or data submitted, collected, or con-
tained by the Administrator under voluntary safety pro-
grams, including the following: 
(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.
534 
(6) Such other voluntarily submitted informa-
tion or programs as the Administrator determines 
appropriate. 
SEC. 548. PROVIDING NON-FEDERAL WEATHER OBSERVER 
TRAINING TO AIRPORT PERSONNEL. 
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration shall take such actions as are necessary to provide 
training that is easily accessible and streamlined for air-
port personnel to become certified as non-Federal weather 
observers so that such personnel can manually provide 
weather observations when automated surface observing 
systems and automated weather observing systems experi-
ence outages and errors in order to ensure operational 
safety at airports. 
Subtitle B—Aviation Cybersecurity 
SEC. 571. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Congress has repeatedly tasked the Federal 
Aviation Administration with responsibility for se-
curing the national airspace system, including 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 routinely included protecting 
against associated cyber threats affecting aviation
535 
safety or the Administration’s provision of safe, se-
cure, and efficient air navigation services and air-
space management. 
(2) In 2016, Congress passed the FAA Exten-
sion, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, which estab-
lished requirements for the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration to enhance the national airspace system’s 
cybersecurity and included mandates for the Admin-
istration to— 
(A) develop a cybersecurity strategic plan; 
(B) coordinate with other Federal agencies 
to identify cyber vulnerabilities; 
(C) develop a cyber threat model; and 
(D) complete 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 Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 which— 
(A) authorized funding for the construction 
of Federal Aviation Administration facilities 
dedicated to improving the cybersecurity of the 
national airspace system; 
(B) required the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration to review and update its comprehen-
sive, strategic policy framework for cybersecu-
536 
rity to assess the degree to which the frame-
work identifies and addresses known cybersecu-
rity risks associated with the aviation system, 
and evaluate existing short- and long-term ob-
jectives for addressing cybersecurity risks to the 
national airspace system; 
(C) created a Chief Technology Officer po-
sition within the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion to be responsible for, among other things, 
coordinating the implementation, operation, 
maintenance, and cybersecurity of technology 
programs relating to the air traffic control sys-
tem with the aviation industry and other Fed-
eral agencies; and 
(D) directed the National Academy of 
Sciences to study the cybersecurity workforce of 
the Federal Aviation Administration in order to 
develop recommendations to increase the size, 
quality, and diversity of such workforce. 
(4) Congress has tasked the Federal Aviation 
Administration with being the primary Federal 
agency to assess and address the threats posed from 
cyber incidents relating to Federal Aviation Admin-
istration-provided air traffic control and air naviga-
tion services and the threats posed from cyber inci-
537 
dents relating to civil aircraft, aeronautical products 
and articles, aviation networks, aviation systems, 
services, and operations, and the aerospace industry 
affecting aviation safety or the provision of safe, se-
cure, and efficient air navigation services and air-
space management by the Administration. 
(5) Since 2005, the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration has been addressing cyber vulnerabilities in 
civil aircraft and aeronautical products and articles 
during the safety certification process. 
SEC. 572. 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 add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) EXCLUSIVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of law and except as pro-
538 
vided in section 40132, the Administrator, in consultation 
with the heads of such other agencies as the Administrator 
determines necessary, shall have exclusive authority to 
prescribe regulations for purposes of assuring civil air-
craft, including unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft en-
gine, propeller, and appliance cybersecurity.’’. 
SEC. 573. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULA-
TIONS, POLICY, AND GUIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 401 of title 49, United 
States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 40132. National airspace system cyber threat man-
agement process 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with 
other agencies as the Administrator determines necessary, 
shall establish a national airspace system cyber threat 
management process to protect the national airspace sys-
tem cyber environment, including the safety, security, and 
efficiency of the 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 minimum—
539 
‘‘(1) monitor the national airspace system for 
cybersecurity incidents; 
‘‘(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 cyber 
incident responses with other appropriate Federal 
agencies; 
‘‘(6) track cyber incident detection, response, 
mitigation implementation, recovery, and closure; 
‘‘(7) establish a process, or utilize existing proc-
esses, to collect relevant interagency and stakeholder 
national airspace system cyber incident data, includ-
ing data from other Federal agencies and private 
persons; 
‘‘(8) 
conduct 
a 
review 
of 
potential 
vulnerabilities in inflight Wi-Fi service that may put 
the data of passengers at risk; and
540 
‘‘(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 correlation 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 
environment’ means the information environment 
consisting of the interdependent networks of infor-
mation technology infrastructures and resident data, 
including the internet, telecommunications networks, 
computer systems, and embedded processors and 
controllers. 
‘‘(3) CYBER INCIDENT.—The term ‘cyber inci-
dent’ means an action that creates noticeable deg-
radation, disruption, or destruction to the cyber en-
vironment and causes a safety or other negative im-
pact on operations of— 
‘‘(A) the national airspace system; 
‘‘(B) civil aircraft; or 
‘‘(C) aeronautical products and articles.
541 
‘‘(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 ‘elec-
tronic attack’ means the use of electromagnetic spec-
trum energy to impede operations in the cyber envi-
ronment, including through techniques such as jam-
ming or spoofing.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is further amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘40132. National airspace system cyber threat management process.’’. 
SEC. 574. CIVIL AVIATION CYBERSECURITY RULEMAKING 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall convene an aviation 
rulemaking committee on civil aircraft cybersecurity to 
conduct a review and develop findings and recommenda-
tions on cybersecurity 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—
542 
(1) not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of this Act, submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
based on the findings of the aviation rulemaking 
committee convened under subsection (a); and 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of 
submission of the report under paragraph (1) and, 
in consultation with other agencies as the Adminis-
trator determines necessary, for consensus rec-
ommendations reached by such aviation rulemaking 
committee— 
(A) undertake a rulemaking, if appro-
priate, based on such recommendations; and 
(B) submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
supplemental report with explanations for each 
consensus recommendation not addressed, if ap-
plicable, by a rulemaking under subparagraph 
(A). 
(c) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com-
mittee convened under subsection (a) shall consist of mem-
543 
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-
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 non-profit which operates 1 or more feder-
ally funded research and development centers with 
specific knowledge of aviation and cybersecurity. 
(d) MEMBER ELIGIBILITY.—Prior to a member’s ap-
pointment under subsection (c), the Administrator shall 
determine if there is cause for such member to be re-
stricted from possessing sensitive security information. 
Upon a determination of no cause being found regarding 
the member, and upon the member voluntarily signing a 
nondisclosure agreement, the member may be granted ac-
544 
cess to sensitive security information that is relevant to 
the member’s duties on the aviation rulemaking com-
mittee. The member shall protect the sensitive security in-
formation in accordance with part 1520 of title 49, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
(e) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION.—The members 
of the aviation rulemaking committee convened under sub-
section (a) shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits 
from the Government by reason of their service on such 
committee. 
(f) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator shall di-
rect such committee to consider— 
(1) existing cybersecurity standards, regula-
tions, policies, and guidance, including those from 
other Federal agencies; 
(2) threat- and risk-based security approaches 
used by the aviation industry, including the assess-
ment of the potential costs and benefits of cyberse-
curity actions; 
(3) data gathered from cybersecurity reporting; 
(4) data gathered from safety reporting; 
(5) the diversity of operations and systems on 
aircraft and amongst air carriers; 
(6) security of design data;
545 
(7) the need to harmonize or deconflict pro-
posed and existing standards, regulations, policies, 
and guidance with other Federal standards, regula-
tions, policies, and guidance; 
(8) design approval holder aircraft network se-
curity guidance for operators; 
(9) the need for such standards, regulations, 
policies, and guidance as applied to civil aircraft in-
formation, data, networks, systems, services, oper-
ations, and technology; 
(10) Federal Aviation Administration services, 
aviation industry services, and aircraft use of posi-
tioning, navigation, and timing data in the context 
of Executive Order No. 13905, as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act; 
(11) updates needed to airworthiness regula-
tions and systems safety assessment methods used 
to show compliance with airworthiness requirements 
for design, function, installation, and certification of 
civil aircraft, aeronautical products and articles, and 
aircraft networks; 
(12) updates needed to air carrier operating 
and maintenance regulations to ensure continued ad-
herence with processes and procedures established in 
airworthiness regulations to provide cybersecurity
546 
protections for aircraft systems, including for contin-
ued airworthiness; 
(13) 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 
aircraft information, data, networks, systems, serv-
ices, operations, and technology and aeronautical 
products and articles; 
(14) the response of the Administrator and 
aviation industry to, and recovery from, cyber inci-
dents, including by coordinating with other Federal 
agencies, including intelligence agencies; 
(15) processes for members of the aviation in-
dustry to voluntarily report to the Federal Aviation 
Administration cyber incidents that may affect avia-
tion safety in a manner that protects trade secrets 
and confidential business information; 
(16) the unique nature of the aviation industry, 
including aircraft networks, aircraft systems, and 
aeronautical products, and the interconnectedness of 
cybersecurity and aviation safety; 
(17) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
craft networks, aircraft systems, and aeronautical
547 
products and articles to protect aviation safety, in-
cluding airworthiness; 
(18) appropriate cybersecurity controls for air-
ports relative to the size and nature of airside oper-
ations of such airports to ensure aviation safety; 
(19) minimum standards for protecting civil 
aircraft, aeronautical products and articles, aviation 
networks, aviation systems, services, and operations 
from cyber threats and cyber incidents; 
(20) 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 aviation 
and standards organizations, and any other appro-
priate entities to protect civil aviation from cyber in-
cidents and cyber threats; 
(21) the recommendations and implementation 
of the Aircraft System Information Security/Protec-
tion report of the aviation rulemaking advisory com-
mittee submitted on August 22, 2016; and 
(22) any other matter the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions set forth in sec-
tion 40132 of title 49, United States Code (as added by 
this subtitle), shall apply to this section.
548 
TITLE VI—AEROSPACE 
INNOVATION 
Subtitle A—Unmanned Aircraft 
Systems 
SEC. 601. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 44801(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) is able to maintain safe flight control 
in the event of a power or flight control failure 
during flight; and 
‘‘(E) is programmed to initiate a controlled 
landing in the event of a tether separation.’’. 
SEC. 602. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM TEST RANGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44803 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 44803. Unmanned aircraft system test ranges 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration shall carry out and update, 
as appropriate, a program to enable a broad variety of 
testing and evaluation activities at unmanned aircraft sys-
549 
tem test ranges, as in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of the Securing Growth and Robust Leader-
ship in American Aviation Act, to the extent consistent 
with aviation safety and efficiency, and for purposes of 
the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the 
national airspace system. 
‘‘(b) AIRSPACE REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the 
program under subsection (a)— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator may establish non-
regulatory special use airspace areas upon the re-
quest of a test range sponsor selected by the Admin-
istrator under subsection (a), for purposes of accom-
modating hazardous testing and evaluation activities 
to inform the safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
systems into the national airspace system, or for 
purposes of other activities authorized by the Ad-
ministrator under subsection (g); 
‘‘(2) each selected test range sponsor for a des-
ignated test range shall be considered the using 
agency for purposes of the respective nonregulatory 
special use airspace areas established by the Admin-
istrator under this section; and 
‘‘(3) the Administrator may require that each 
selected test range sponsor for a designated test 
range provide a draft environmental review con-
550 
sistent with the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), subject to the su-
pervision and adoption of the Administrator, with re-
spect to any request for the establishment of a non-
regulatory special use airspace area under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(c) PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out the 
program under subsection (a), the Administrator— 
‘‘(1) may develop operational standards and air 
traffic requirements for flight operations at test 
ranges; 
‘‘(2) shall coordinate with, and leverage the re-
sources of, other Federal agencies, as the Adminis-
trator considers appropriate; 
‘‘(3) shall address both civil and public aircraft 
operations; 
‘‘(4) shall provide for verification of the safety 
of flight systems and related navigation procedures 
as it relates to continued development of standards 
for integration into the national airspace system; 
‘‘(5) shall engage test range sponsors, as nec-
essary and within available resources, in projects for 
testing and evaluation of flight systems to facilitate 
the validation of standards by the Administration for 
the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems
551 
into the national airspace system, which may include 
solutions for— 
‘‘(A) developing and enforcing geographic 
and altitude limitations; 
‘‘(B) providing for alerts regarding any 
hazards or limitations on flight, including prohi-
bitions on flight; 
‘‘(C) sense and avoid capabilities; 
‘‘(D) technology to support communica-
tions, navigation, and surveillance; 
‘‘(E) unmanned aircraft system operations 
beyond visual line of sight, at nighttime, or over 
people; 
‘‘(F) operation of multiple unmanned air-
craft systems by a single remote pilot; 
‘‘(G) unmanned aircraft systems traffic 
management capabilities or services; 
‘‘(H) counter unmanned aircraft system 
capabilities; 
‘‘(I) improving privacy protections through 
the use of advances in unmanned aircraft sys-
tems; and 
‘‘(J) other critical priority areas for which 
testing and evaluation is needed.
552 
‘‘(6) shall coordinate periodically with all test 
range sponsors to ensure test range sponsors know 
which data should be collected, how data can be de- 
identified to flow more readily to the Administration, 
what procedures should be followed, and what test-
ing and evaluations would advance efforts to safely 
integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the na-
tional airspace system; and 
‘‘(7) shall allow test range sponsors to receive 
Federal funding, other than from the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, including in-kind contributions, 
from test range participants in the furtherance of 
testing and evaluation objectives. 
‘‘(d) EXEMPTION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(g), the requirements of section 44711, including related 
implementing regulations, shall not apply to persons ap-
proved by the test range sponsor for operation at a des-
ignated test range under this section. 
‘‘(e) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF TEST RANGE SPON-
SOR.—The sponsor of each test range under subsection 
(a) shall— 
‘‘(1) provide access to all interested private and 
public entities seeking to carry out testing and eval-
uation activities at the test range designated pursu-
ant to this section, to the greatest extent practicable,
553 
consistent with safety and any operating procedures 
established by the test range sponsor, including ac-
cess by small business concerns (as that term is de-
scribed in section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 632(a)); 
‘‘(2) ensure all activities remain within the geo-
graphical boundaries and altitude limitations estab-
lished for the nonregulatory special use airspace 
area covering the test range; 
‘‘(3) ensure no activity is conducted at the des-
ignated test range in a careless or reckless manner; 
‘‘(4) establish safe operating procedures for all 
operators approved for activities at the test range, 
including provisions for maintaining operational con-
trol and ensuring protection of persons and property 
on the ground, subject to approval by the Adminis-
trator; 
‘‘(5) exercise direct oversight of all operations 
conducted at the test range; 
‘‘(6) consult with the Administrator on the na-
ture of planned activities at the test range and 
whether temporary segregation through the use of a 
nonregulatory special use airspace area is required 
to contain such activities is consistent with aviation 
safety;
554 
‘‘(7) protect proprietary technology, sensitive 
data, or sensitive research of any civil or private en-
tity when using the test range; 
‘‘(8) maintain detailed records of all ongoing 
and completed testing and evaluation activities con-
ducted at the test range and all operators con-
ducting such activities, for inspection by, and report-
ing to, the Administrator, as required by agreement 
between the Administrator and the test range spon-
sor; 
‘‘(9) make all original records available for in-
spection upon request by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(10) provide recommendations to the Adminis-
trator to further enable public and private testing 
and evaluation activities at the test ranges that con-
tribute to the safe integration of unmanned aircraft 
systems by the Administration into the national air-
space system, on a quarterly basis until the program 
terminates. 
‘‘(f) TESTING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may au-
thorize a sponsor of a test range designated under 
subsection (a) to host testing and evaluation activi-
ties other than those directly related to the integra-
tion of unmanned aircraft systems into the national
555 
airspace system, provided that the activity is nec-
essary to inform the development of standards or 
policy for integrating new types of flight systems 
into the national airspace system. 
‘‘(2) WAIVER.—In carrying out this subsection, 
the Administrator may waive the requirements of 
section 44711, including related regulations, to the 
extent consistent with aviation safety. 
‘‘(g) AGREEMENTS.—The Administrator may use the 
transaction authority under section 106(l)(6) to enter into 
appropriate agreements to direct testing and evaluation 
activities related to unmanned aircraft systems at any test 
range designated under subsection (a). 
‘‘(h) TERMINATION.—The program under this sec-
tion shall terminate on September 30, 2028.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 44801(10) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘any of the 6 test ranges’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘January 1, 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘the test ranges estab-
lished by the Administrator under section 44803’’. 
SEC. 603. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT IN THE ARCTIC. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44804 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section heading by striking ‘‘Small un-
manned’’ and inserting ‘‘Unmanned’’; and
556 
(2) by striking ‘‘small’’ each place it appears. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 44804 and insert the 
following: 
‘‘44804. Unmanned aircraft in the Arctic.’’. 
SEC. 604. PUBLIC SAFETY USE OF TETHERED UAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 44806 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘and 
public safety use of unmanned aircraft 
systems’’ after ‘‘systems’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading by inserting 
‘‘SAFETY USE OF’’ after ‘‘PUBLIC’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘permit the use 
of’’ and inserting ‘‘permit’’; 
(III) by striking ‘‘public’’; and
557 
(IV) by inserting ‘‘by a public 
safety organization for such systems’’ 
after ‘‘systems’’; 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) operated— 
‘‘(i) at or below an altitude of 150 
feet above ground level within class B, C, 
D, E, or G airspace, but not at a greater 
altitude than the ceiling depicted on the 
UAS facility maps published by the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, where appli-
cable; 
‘‘(ii) within zero-grid airspaces as de-
picted on such UAS facility maps, only if 
operated in life-saving or emergency situa-
tions and with prior notification to the Ad-
ministration in a manner determined by 
the Administrator; or 
‘‘(iii) above 150 feet above ground 
level within class B, C, D, E, or G airspace 
only with prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator;’’; 
(iii) by striking subparagraph (B); 
and
558 
(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), 
(C), and (D), respectively; and 
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘Public 
actively’’ and inserting ‘‘Actively’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end, the following: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘public 
safety organization’ means an entity that primarily en-
gages in activities related to the safety and well-being of 
the general public, including law enforcement, fire depart-
ments, emergency medical services, and other organiza-
tions that protect and serve the public in matters of safety 
and security.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 44806 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘44806. Public unmanned aircraft systems and public safety use of unmanned 
aircraft systems.’’. 
SEC. 605. SPECIAL AUTHORITY FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEMS. 
Section 44807 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or chapter 447’’ after 
‘‘this chapter’’;
559 
(B) by striking ‘‘the Secretary of Trans-
portation’’ and inserting ‘‘the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘if certain’’ and inserting 
‘‘how’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the Administrator’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘which types of un-
manned aircraft systems, if any, as a re-
sult of their size’’ and inserting ‘‘how the 
unmanned aircraft, as a result of such air-
craft’s size’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘do not create’’ and 
inserting ‘‘does not create’’; 
(3) in subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For unmanned aircraft sys-
tems that the Administrator determines under this 
section may operate safely in the national airspace 
system, the Administrator shall establish risk-based 
requirements, or a process to accept risk-based pro-
posed requirements, for the safe operation of such 
aircraft systems in the national airspace system, in-
560 
cluding operation related to testing and evaluation of 
proprietary systems. 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF MITIGATION MEASURES.— 
To the extent that a proposed operation will be con-
ducted exclusively within the airspace of a Mode C 
Veil during the entirety of the operation, such oper-
ation shall be treated as satisfying the requirements 
of section 91.113(b) of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, so long as the operation employs— 
‘‘(A) ADS–B In-based detect and avoid ca-
pabilities; 
‘‘(B) air traffic control communication and 
coordination; and 
‘‘(C) aeronautical information management 
systems to notify other aircraft operators of 
such operations. 
‘‘(3) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed to give an un-
manned aircraft operating pursuant to this section 
the right of way over a manned aircraft.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2033’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION.—In making determinations under 
this section, the Administrator may not consider un-
561 
manned aircraft systems to the extent that such systems 
may meet the requirements of established regulations ap-
plicable to the proposed operation of a system. 
‘‘(f) EXEMPTION.—The Administrator may exercise 
the authorities described in this section without requiring 
a rulemaking or imposing the requirements of part 11 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to the extent con-
sistent with aviation safety.’’. 
SEC. 606. RECREATIONAL OPERATIONS OF DRONE SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) SPECIFIED
EXCEPTION
FOR
LIMITED
REC-
REATIONAL OPERATIONS
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.— 
Section 44809 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking paragraph (6) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(6) Except for circumstances when the Admin-
istrator establishes alternative altitude ceilings or as 
otherwise authorized in section (c), in Class G air-
space, the aircraft is flown from the surface to not 
more than 400 feet above ground level and complies 
with all airspace and flight restrictions and prohibi-
tions established under this subtitle, such as special 
use airspace designations and temporary flight re-
strictions.’’;
562 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONS AT FIXED SITES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a process to approve, and publicly dissemi-
nate the location of, fixed sites at which a person 
may carry out recreational unmanned aircraft sys-
tem operations. 
‘‘(2) OPERATING PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(A) CONTROLLED
AIRSPACE.—Persons 
operating unmanned aircraft under paragraph 
(1) from a fixed site within Class B, Class C, 
or Class D airspace or within the lateral bound-
aries of the surface area of Class E airspace 
designated for an airport, or a community- 
based organization sponsoring operations within 
such airspace, shall make the location of the 
fixed site known to the Administrator and shall 
establish a mutually agreed upon operating pro-
cedure with the air traffic control facility. 
‘‘(B) ALTITUDE.—The Administrator, in 
coordination with community-based organiza-
tions sponsoring operations at fixed sites, shall 
develop a process to approve requests for rec-
reational unmanned aircraft systems operations
563 
at fixed sites that exceed the maximum altitude 
contained in a UAS Facility Map. 
‘‘(C) CLASS G AIRSPACE.—Subject to com-
pliance with all airspace and flight restrictions 
and prohibitions established under this subtitle, 
such as special use airspace designations and 
temporary flight restrictions, persons operating 
drones under paragraph (1) from a fixed site at 
which the operations are sponsored by a com-
munity-based organization may operate within 
Class G airspace— 
‘‘(i) up to 400 feet above ground level, 
without prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator; and 
‘‘(ii) above 400 feet above ground 
level, with prior authorization from the Ad-
ministrator. 
‘‘(3) 
UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT
WEIGHING
POUNDS OR GREATER.—A person may operate an 
unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater, 
including the weight of anything attached to or car-
ried by the aircraft, under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with 
standards and limitations developed by a com-
564 
munity-based organization and approved by the 
Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed 
site as described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) 
FAA-RECOGNIZED
IDENTIFICATION 
AREAS.—In implementing subpart C of part 89 of 
title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Adminis-
trator shall prioritize the review and adjudication of 
requests to establish FAA Recognized Identification 
Areas at fixed sites established under this section.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking the subsection 
designation and heading and all that follows through 
‘‘(3) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) SAV-
INGS CLAUSE.—’’; 
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘subsection (a) 
of’’; 
(5) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ‘‘updates 
to’’; 
(6) by striking subsection (g)(1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft 
systems, community-based organizations, and other 
industry stakeholders, shall develop, maintain, and 
update, as necessary, an aeronautical knowledge and