Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-970
Sponsor: Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Energy research
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Motor fuels
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2014 for specified aviation research, engineering, and development projects.
 
 Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct research on: (1) the development of technologies and methods to assess the risk of and prevent defects, failures, and malfunctions in all classes of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones); (2) improved runway surfaces as well as engineered material restraining systems for such runways at both general aviation and commercial airports; and (3) methods and procedures to improve certification of new technologies for introduction into the national airspace system.
 
 Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a permanent airport cooperative research program.
 
Allows an increase in the federal share of fiscal year costs of operating a regional center of air transportation excellence that would otherwise be unable to carry out its programs.
 
Authorizes the FAA Administrator to maintain a research program to assess the potential effect of aviation on the environment and to evaluate approaches to address such effect.
 
 Directs the FAA Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to continue research and development into the transition to the use of unleaded aviation fuel by piston engine aircraft.
 
 Directs the Secretary to establish a research grant program to develop technologies that produce jet fuel from alternative sources.
 
 Directs the FAA Administrator to arrange with the National Research Council to review FAA research programs regarding energy, the environment, and aviation safety.

action_date: 2011-04-04
text: 

Title X: Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2011
 - Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2011 - (Sec. 1003) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2014 for civil aviation research and development, including specified research, engineering, and development projects.
 
(Sec. 1004) Requires the FAA Administrator to conduct or supervise specified research to develop technologies and methods to assess the risk of and prevent defects, failures, and malfunctions in all classes of drones.
 
(Sec. 1005) Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct research on: (1) improved runway surfaces as well as engineered material restraining systems for such runways at both general aviation and commercial airports, and (2) methods and procedures to improve certification of new technologies for introduction into the national airspace system.
 
(Sec. 1007) Converts the airport cooperative research program from a four-year pilot into a permanent program.
 
(Sec. 1008) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to increase the federal share of costs of operating regional centers of air transportation excellence and related research activities from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 75% for any fiscal year if a center is unable to carry out authorized activities without additional funding.
 
(Sec. 1009) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to establish a center of excellence for aviation human resource research on: (1) human performance in the air transportation environment, including air traffic controllers, pilots, and technicians; and (2) any other aviation human resource issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system.
 
(Sec. 1010) Authorizes the FAA Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to: (1) maintain a research program to assess the potential effect of aviation on the environment and, if warranted, to evaluate approaches to address such effect; and (2) continue research and development into the qualification of and safe transition to the use of unleaded aviation fuel by the fleet of piston engine aircraft.
 
(Sec. 1012) Directs the Secretary to establish a research grant program to develop technologies that produce jet fuel from alternative sources (such as coal, natural gas, biomass, ethanol, butanol, and hydrogen).
 
(Sec. 1013) Directs the FAA Administrator to review FAA energy-, environment-, and aviation safety-related research programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-04
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 26.
action_date: 2011-04-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 112-52.
action_date: 2011-04-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 112-52.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 13.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House