FLIGHT R&D Act

Bill: 115-hr-3198
Sponsor: Rep. Knight, Stephen [R-CA-25]
Introduced: 2017-07-12 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Aviation and airports
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Motor fuels
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: 

FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act or the FLIGHT R&D Act

 
This bill reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs for FY2018-FY2023. 
 
No funds are authorized to be appropriated for a fiscal year for: (1) Environmental Sustainability Research and Development programs unless the full amount authorized for that fiscal year is appropriated for Safety Research and Development programs, Economic Competitiveness Research and Development programs, and Mission Support programs; or (2) the FAA's Office of the Administrator unless the Secretary of Transportation has submitted the National Aviation Research Plan to Congress no later than the submission of the President's budget request for that fiscal year.
 
The FAA shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and Development.
 
The FAA shall develop a plan in the event of the transition of FAA R&D activities to a non-federal entity.
 
The bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to revise requirements with respect to the FAA's five-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system. The roadmap shall include, at a minimum, a description of how the FAA plans to use R&D to integrate drones into the system. No funds are authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Administrator for a fiscal year unless the Secretary has submitted the unmanned aircraft systems roadmap to Congress on an annual basis. The FAA shall coordinate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to research the collision of drones with manned aircraft. The bill prohibits the FAA, with a specified exception, from promulgating regulations regarding the operation of drones for R&D purposes. 
 
The FAA shall establish R&D programs:
 
 
to improve the cybersecurity of civil aircraft and the system,
 
on civilian air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote locations, 
 
in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft with remote piloting and computer piloting, and
 
regarding the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in the civil aviation domain.
 
 
The FAA shall submit to Congress a research plan for certification and implementation of new technologies (including Next Generation) into the system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Introduced in House