In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Student Loan Refinancing 
Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION.

    Section 459B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087i-
2) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``section'' and 
        inserting ``subsection'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``this section'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (a)'' each place the term appears; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following:
    ``(c) Temporary Loan Consolidation Authority for Certain Loans Made 
After July 1, 2006.--
            ``(1) Loan consolidation authority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A borrower who has 1 or more 
                loans in a category described in subparagraph (B) may 
                consolidate all of the loans of the borrower that are 
                described in subparagraph (B) into a Federal Direct 
                Consolidation Loan during the period described in 
                subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) Categories of loans that may be 
                consolidated.--The categories of loans that may be 
                consolidated under subparagraph (A) are loans made on 
                or after July 1, 2006, that are--
                            ``(i) loans made under this part;
                            ``(ii) loans purchased by the Secretary 
                        pursuant to section 459A; and
                            ``(iii) loans made under part B that are 
                        held by an eligible lender, as such term is 
                        defined in section 435(d).
                    ``(C) Time period in which loans may be 
                consolidated.--
                            ``(i) Federal direct loans.--In the case of 
                        a borrower who has 1 or more loans described 
                        under subparagraph (B)(i), the Secretary 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) consolidate the loans 
                                described under subparagraph (B)(i) not 
                                later than 90 days after the date of 
                                enactment of the Federal Student Loan 
                                Refinancing Act; and
                                    ``(II) notify the borrower, in 
                                writing, prior to such consolidation 
                                that--
                                            ``(aa) the borrower's loans 
                                        under this part have been 
                                        consolidated at a lower 
                                        interest rate; and
                                            ``(bb) the borrower's 
                                        repayment plan and the other 
                                        terms and conditions of the 
                                        borrower's loan remain 
                                        unchanged.
                            ``(ii) Other loans.--In the case of a 
                        borrower who has 1 or more loans described 
                        under clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B), 
                        the Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) initiate the loan 
                                consolidation process for the loans 
                                described under clause (ii) or (iii) of 
                                subparagraph (B), not later than 90 
                                days after the date of enactment of the 
                                Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act, 
                                by sending a completed loan 
                                consolidation application to the 
                                borrower;
                                    ``(II) notify the borrower, as part 
                                of such application, that a fee will be 
                                assessed and that the interest rate of 
                                the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan 
                                will be set in accordance with 
                                paragraph (2); and
                                    ``(III) notify the borrower, as 
                                part of such application, that if the 
                                borrower wishes to consolidate in 
                                accordance with the completed 
                                application, the borrower must endorse 
                                the application and submit the 
                                application to the Secretary not more 
                                than 6 months after receipt of the 
                                application.
            ``(2) Terms of loans.--The following terms and conditions 
        shall apply to a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan made under 
        this subsection:
                    ``(A) The applicable rate of interest on a Federal 
                Direct Consolidation Loan made under this subsection 
                shall be--
                            ``(i) 4 percent; or
                            ``(ii) in a case in which the weighted 
                        average of the interest rates on the 
                        outstanding loans of a borrower that will be 
                        consolidated is less than 4 percent, the lesser 
                        of--
                                    ``(I) the weighted average of the 
                                interest rates on the outstanding loans 
                                of a borrower that will be 
                                consolidated; or
                                    ``(II) a rate of interest equal 
                                to--
                                            ``(aa) 4 percent; minus
                                            ``(bb) 0.4 percent of the 
                                        principal balance of the 
                                        consolidation loan, at the time 
                                        of consolidation.
                    ``(B) In the case of a loan consolidated under 
                paragraph (1)(C)(ii), an origination fee equal to 0.4 
                percent of the principal balance of the consolidation 
                loan, at the time of consolidation, will be added to 
                the principal balance of the loan, and the Secretary 
                shall use the fee to cover the cost of making and 
                servicing the loan.
                    ``(C) If 1 or more of the loans being consolidated 
                is a loan described under paragraph (1)(B)(iii), the 
                interest rate on the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan 
                under this subsection shall be reduced by 0.25 percent.
                    ``(D) Any benefit a borrower is receiving or 
                earning at the time a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan 
                is issued under this subsection shall not be affected 
                by consolidation under this section, including benefits 
                such as a deferment or forbearance, accumulation of 
                monthly payments as part of the public service loan 
                forgiveness program under section 455(m), accumulation 
                of monthly payments toward a loan discharge under the 
                income-based repayment plan under section 493C, 
                participation in a particular repayment plan, and other 
                benefits to the borrower.''.

SEC. 3. EXEMPTIONS FROM OTHER LAWS.

    (a) Exemption From the Paperwork Reduction Act.--Chapter 35 of 
title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to this Act.
    (b) Inapplicability of Rulemaking Requirements.--Sections 482(c) 
and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1089(c), 1098a) 
and section 553 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the 
amendments made by this Act, or to any regulations promulgated under 
such amendments.
Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers that received loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (DL) or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program on or after July 1, 2006, to consolidate those loans as Federal Direct Consolidation Loans.  It directs the Department of Education (ED) to consolidate DLs, and send a completed loan consolidation application to FFEL borrowers, within 90 days of this bill's enactment. It gives FFEL borrowers six months after their receipt of such application to endorse it and submit it to ED if they wish to consolidate their loans. The bill sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Consolidation Loans at 4% or, if the weighted average of the interest rates of the loans being consolidated is less than 4%, the lesser of: (1) that weighted average, or (2) an interest rate equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation. It adds an origination fee equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation if an FFEL is being consolidated. It reduces the interest rate on a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan by 0.25% if one or more of the loans being consolidated is an FFEL held by an eligible lender. The bill prohibits any benefit a borrower is receiving or earning when issued a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan from being affected by the consolidation.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Spacefaring Priorities for America's 
Continued Exploration Act'' or the ``SPACE Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Russia is not a reliable partner.--(A) Unless Space 
        Shuttle operations are extended beyond 2010, the United States 
        will be heavily reliant on Russia to supply crew and possibly 
        cargo transport services to the International Space Station 
        during the gap period of 2010 through 2015. There will be no 
        other way to fly our astronauts into space during this period.
            (B) The United States should not increase its reliance on 
        Russia to transport American astronauts into space, given the 
        increasingly divergent views and posturing from Russia. Russia 
        opposes the United States plan to base an antimissile radar 
        system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland 
        to deal with the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear weapons 
        and missile programs. Russia also suspended its participation 
        in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, one of the 
        most significant arms control agreements of the Cold War years. 
        Additionally, Russia continues to arm some of America's most 
        hostile adversaries, Iran and Venezuela. Despite United States 
        objections, Russia sold billions of dollars worth of weapons to 
        the regime of Hugo Chavez in 2006. Such meddling is a possible 
        violation of the Monroe Doctrine and a throwback to the Cold 
        War era. Even more troublesome is the Russian history of 
        weapons trading with Iran. Russia has supplied advanced 
        conventional arms technology, missile technology, and nuclear 
        technologies to this very anti-American regime.
            (2) Russia has abused past nasa cooperation agreements.--
        (A) In the late 1990s, Russia fell short in fulfilling its 
        commitment to the International Space Station.
            (B) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in 
        this Act referred to as ``NASA'') was forced to transfer 
        hundreds of millions of dollars to enable the Russians to 
        complete the critical Space Station service module Zvezda, 
        without which the International Space Station could not 
        operate.
            (C) Russia delayed completion of the Zvezda service module 
        for several years. Under the International Space Station 
        agreement, the Russian government had committed to fund as well 
        as build the Zvezda service module. Subsequent transfers from 
        the United States, in order to complete the module, reflect 
        serious Russian mismanagement in the field of space.
            (D) In 2000, while Russia was failing to meet its 
        commitment to the International Space Station, Russia was 
        diverting financial and human resources away from fulfilling 
        its International Space Station commitments in order to keep 
        the Russian's Mir Space Station aloft.
            (E) Russia's past shortcomings in fulfilling commitments to 
        its international space partners should serve as a warning to 
        the United States as we consider increased reliance on Russian 
        space services in the future. It is not prudent for the United 
        States to depend on Russia for access to space given our past 
        experience with this relationship.
            (3) American space science should not be dependent on 
        russian support.--(A) The United States has already invested 
        billions of dollars in the International Space Station program 
        since its inception.
            (B) There is much research of great value being conducted 
        in space, and on the International Space Station, that may 
        yield tremendous gains. Research being conducted on the 
        International Space Station may help scientists back on Earth 
        develop medicines to treat diseases and help us better 
        understand the Earth's climate. Many scientists believe that 
        the microgravity environment of space will enable the 
        development of new drugs, vaccines, and other therapies. 
        Equipment on the International Space Station will monitor 
        stratospheric gases, and investigate ozone chemistry.
            (4) The united states must have assured access to space.--
        (A) To ensure that the United States realizes the dividends 
        from the considerable investment we have made in the 
        International Space Station, we need to ensure continued access 
        to space for our astronauts. However, NASA's plan for transport 
        of crew to and from the International Space Station fails to 
        provide necessary redundancies to provide assured access to 
        space.
            (B) NASA anticipates that the Russian Soyuz spacecraft will 
        be the only vehicle for astronaut crew rotation to the 
        International Space Station after 2010. From 2011 until the 
        planned operation of Orion in 2015, NASA likely has no other 
        option for transporting American astronauts to space other than 
        on Russian vehicles.
            (C) NASA has conceded that without the Space Shuttle, it 
        will be unable to transport the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 
        (AMS) to the International Space Station. Scientists involved 
        in the development of the AMS acknowledge that it will enhance 
        scientific discoveries. While the AMS has cost over 
        $1,500,000,000 to develop and build, NASA has stated that the 
        remaining Space Shuttle manifest does not allow for transport 
        of the AMS and that it will not be an option to retrofit 
        another launch vehicle in order to fly it into space. Only by 
        extending Space Shuttle operations beyond 2010 will NASA be 
        able to transport the AMS to the International Space Station. 
        As long as the AMS meets all required standards to verify its 
        validity and justify its transport on the Space Shuttle, NASA 
        should fulfill its obligation to the Department of Energy and 
        our international partners.
            (D) In addition, the Japanese Centrifuge Accommodation 
        Module, which can only fly to the International Space Station 
        on the Space Shuttle, will also be unable to reach the Space 
        Station absent extending Space Shuttle operations.
            (5) A better approach.--(A) Due to NASA's lack of a backup 
        plan for reliance on the Russians for transport of American 
        astronauts to space, the United States needs a better approach. 
        The best approach is the Space Shuttle, a proven, domestic 
        source of space transport for assured access to space, 
        including the International Space Station, for crew and cargo 
        transport.
            (B) With 2 Shuttle missions per year during the human 
        spaceflight program flight gap between Shuttle and Orion, 
        currently scheduled from 2010 through 2015, we can replace our 
        need to rely on the Russians for crew rotation for the 
        International Space Station.
            (C) Savings from replacing Russian transport services to 
        the International Space Station with the Space Shuttle would 
        pay for a portion of the costs for flying 2 Space Shuttle 
        missions per year.
            (D) Only by closing the gap between 2010 and 2015, or until 
        the Orion is operational, will our Nation be able to keep our 
        Nation's highly skilled and critically important spaceworkers 
        and engineers gainfully employed, and mitigate the loss of 
        critical skills.
            (E) By extending Space Shuttle operations, NASA may realize 
        considerable savings by no longer having to pay retention 
        bonuses to critical space workers. But retention bonuses would 
        not be the only added costs associated with the end of Space 
        Shuttle operations when critical skilled workers leave NASA or 
        its contractors. Recruitment incentives for new workers and 
        contract cost increases could also be incurred by NASA since 
        the majority of the Kennedy Space Center's workforce are 
        contractors.
            (F) The success of the Constellation program will depend on 
        having the most skilled and experienced workforce possible. The 
        workforce gap, as currently envisioned by NASA, will jeopardize 
        this. NASA has acknowledged that thousands of critical space 
        workers will lose their jobs in the transition from the Space 
        Shuttle to the Constellation program. Continued operation of 
        the Space Shuttle, but on a reduced flight requirement, while 
        also integrating these workers into the Orion program, is the 
        best way to retain many of these critical workers and skill 
        sets.
            (G) An August 2007 study by the Government Accountability 
        Office, ``NASA Progress Made on Strategic Human Capital 
        Management, but Future Program Challenges Remain,'' stated that 
        ``the agency as a whole faces challenges in recruiting and 
        retaining highly experienced senior-level engineers in certain 
        specialties. NASA's principal workforce challenge will be faced 
        in the transition to the next generation of human space flight 
        systems.''.
            (H) This Act authorizes for NASA additional funding under 
        section 4 to fully restore the appropriation shortfalls in 
        fiscal years 2007 and 2008 compared to the funds that were 
        authorized for NASA. An additional $1,000,000,000 is authorized 
        in section 4(b) to reimburse NASA for the costs incurred by 
        NASA from the Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts following 
        the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON USE OF RUSSIAN SPACE SERVICES.

    NASA shall not rely solely on the Russian government for astronaut 
transport or cargo resupply services. This prohibition does not apply 
to the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the 
International Space Station.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NASA.

    (a) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2007 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,648,000,000, 41.6 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems, and 28.7 percent of which 
shall be available for Space Operations.
    (b) Columbia Return-to-Flight.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to NASA $1,000,000,000 for emergency funding to reimburse 
for Columbia return-to-flight costs, of which the Exploration Systems 
and Space Operations Accounts shall receive funding at the rate 
proportional to the amounts used to pay the costs associated with the 
Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts.
    (c) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2008 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,064,000,000, 41.7 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems.
    (d) Preservation of Funding for Programs.--NASA shall not take any 
funding from its Exploration Systems account or the Constellation 
program in order to fund the continued operation of the Space Shuttle 
program as required in this Act.

SEC. 5. EXTENDING SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS.

    (a) Use of Space Shuttle for Access to Space.--NASA shall fly at 
least 2 Space Shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of 
Russian crew and cargo services, for the period of 2010 through 2015, 
or until Orion is operational. There are authorized to be appropriated 
to NASA such sums as may be necessary, in addition to amounts otherwise 
authorized, to carry out this subsection, including for the production 
of more external tanks as may be needed.
    (b) Insufficient Funding.--Except as provided under subsection (c), 
the requirements of this Act shall have effect only to the extent that 
sufficient funding is appropriated, as authorized under subsection (a). 
Sufficient funding is defined as funds required to fully or partially 
comply with the requirements of this Act.
    (c) Report to Congress.--NASA shall report to Congress not later 
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the specific 
costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the Space Shuttle 
in accordance with this Act.
    (d) Operational Efficiencies.--As soon as possible, but no later 
than March 31, 2011, NASA shall investigate areas of reduced operations 
and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge the 
safe operation of the Space Shuttle program, including the following:
            (1) The possible retirement of one Space Shuttle orbiter, 
        leaving 2 to remain operational, in a manner that ensures the 
        safe operation of the Space Shuttle program.
            (2) Significantly reducing changes to the design of the 
        Space Shuttle orbiters, in a manner that ensures the safe 
        operation of the Space Shuttle program. This shall include 
        changes to the Space Shuttle software systems.
            (3) Significantly reducing Space Shuttle orbiter 
        configuration operations and payload configuration operations, 
        in a manner that ensures the safe operation of the Space 
        Shuttle program.
            (4) Maximizing the use of shared personnel between the 
        continued operation of the Space Shuttle and Constellation and 
        other NASA programs.
    (e) Facilities.--If conflicts arise in NASA's efforts to allocate 
facilities, personnel, and other resources in order to fly the Space 
Shuttle as well as continue the development of Constellation, then NASA 
shall identify in a report to Congress in advance such conflicts, along 
with recommendations as to how they can be mitigated.

SEC. 6. SHUTTLE RECERTIFICATION.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
NASA shall define achievable and attainable requirements for operation 
of the Space Shuttle program beyond 2010, as recommended by the 
Columbia Accident Investigation Board. NASA shall transmit these 
requirements to Congress in the form of a report. NASA shall then 
immediately begin the process of satisfying these requirements and 
shall satisfy all requirements no later than March 31, 2010.
Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act or SPACE Act - Prohibits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from relying solely on the Russian government for astronaut transport or cargo resupply services, except for the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the International Space Station.

Authorizes appropriations to NASA for: (1) exploration systems; and (2) emergency funding for Columbia return-to-flight costs.

Requires NASA to fly at least two space shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of Russian crew and cargo services, for the period 2010-2015, or until Orion is operational. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such operations. Requires NASA to report to Congress on the specific costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the space shuttle.

Requires NASA, by March 31, 2011, to investigate areas of reduced operations and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge on the safe operation of the space shuttle program.

Directs NASA to define achievable and attainable requirements for the operation of such program beyond 2010, as recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Requires: (1) NASA to report to Congress on such requirements; and (2) NASA to immediately begin satisfying those requirements and to satisfy all of them by March 31, 2010.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring One Level of Aviation 
Safety Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL 
              TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.

    (a) Implementation of Certain Recommendations.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall implement the following 
recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board:
            (1) Recommendations A-03-53 through A-03-54, dated December 
        2, 2003 (relating to inspections for general aviation aircraft 
        and low-airspeed alert systems for all aircraft).
            (2) Recommendation A-05-14, dated May 13, 2005 (relating to 
        programs for flight crewmembers who have demonstrated 
        deficiencies in performance or training).
            (3) Recommendations A-06-48 through A-06-51, dated July 10, 
        2006 (relating to aircraft operations in cold or icy 
        conditions).
            (4) Recommendation A-07-8, dated January 23, 2007 (relating 
        to developing programs of education for air carrier pilots).
    (b) Determinations With Respect to Pending and Future 
Recommendations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the National 
        Transportation Safety Board provides the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration with a safety recommendation, 
        the Administrator shall submit to Congress a notification--
                    (A) indicating whether or not the Administrator has 
                determined to implement the recommendation; and
                    (B)(i) if the Administrator determines to implement 
                the recommendation, describing the actions the 
                Administrator plans to take to implement the 
                recommendation; or
                    (ii) if the Administrator determines not to 
                implement the recommendation, describing the reasons 
                for that determination.
            (2) Pending recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration shall submit to Congress the 
        notification described in paragraph (1) with respect to each 
        recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board--
                    (A) made before the date of the enactment of this 
                Act; and
                    (B) that is not implemented before such date of 
                enactment.

SEC. 3. CERTIFICATION OF RECEIPT OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 
              AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES AND OTHER ORDERS BY AIR 
              CARRIERS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
submit to Congress a plan that contains--
            (1) a certification process under which each air carrier 
        will certify to the Administration that the air carrier has 
        received an airworthiness directive or other order issued by 
        the Administration; and
            (2) a plan for ensuring the compliance of air carriers with 
        such directives and orders.

SEC. 4. SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF REGIONAL AIR CARRIERS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall, not less frequently than once each year, perform 
random, unannounced, on-site inspections of regional air carriers to 
ensure that such air carriers are complying with all applicable safety 
standards of the Administration.
    (b) Regional Air Carriers Defined.--The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall determine which air carriers are 
regional air carriers for purposes of subsection (a).

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF SAFETY STANDARDS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRAINING, 
              HIRING, AND OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT BY PILOTS.

    (a) Completion of Rulemaking on Training Programs.--Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule with 
respect to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal 
Register on January 12, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg. 1280; relating to training 
programs for flight crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers).
    (b) Establishment of National Standard With Respect to Minimum 
Number of Flight Hours Required to Hire Commercial Aircraft Pilots.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall revise 
regulations under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
increase the minimum number of hours of flight experience required for 
pilots to conduct flight operations under parts 121 and 135 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 6. REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS PILOT FATIGUE.

    (a) Regulations on Work Hours for Pilots.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall prescribe regulations specifying 
limitations on hours of flight time allowed for pilots to address 
problems relating to pilot fatigue.
    (b) Fatigue Management Plans.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall prescribe regulations--
            (1) providing guidance to air carriers to develop plans to 
        ensure that pilots are not operating aircraft while fatigued;
            (2) requiring air carriers to submit such plans to the 
        Administration not later than 180 days after the Administrator 
        issues the final rule with respect to the regulations and to 
        update such plans on a regular basis; and
            (3) establishing standards and procedures for the 
        submission of such plans and the review of such plans by the 
        Administration.

SEC. 7. ACCESS BY AIR CARRIERS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PRACTICAL TEST 
              FAILURES BY PILOTS.

    Section 44703(h)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
            (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) any failed attempt of the individual 
                        to pass a practical test required to obtain a 
                        certificate or type rating under part 61 of 
                        title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and''.

SEC. 8. OVERSIGHT OF PILOT TRAINING SCHOOLS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall submit 
to Congress a plan for overseeing pilot schools certified under part 
141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, that includes--
            (1) ensuring that the curriculum and course outline 
        requirements for such schools under subpart C of such part are 
        being met; and
            (2) conducting on-site inspections of each such school not 
        less frequently than once every 2 years.

Ensuring One Level of Aviation Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to: (1) implement certain aviation safety recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); and (2) notify Congress, within 180 days after the NTSB provides the Administrator with a safety recommendation, of determinations with respect to future and pending NTSB recommendations.

Directs the Administrator to: (1) submit to Congress a plan that contains a process for each air carrier to certify to the FAA that it has received an airworthiness directive or other FAA issued order, including a plan for ensuring air carrier compliance with such directives and orders; and (2) perform, at least annually, random, unannounced, onsite inspections of regional air carriers to ensure their compliance with FAA safety standards.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue a final rule with respect to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2009, regarding training programs for flight crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers; (2) revise federal aviation safety regulations to increase the minimum number of hours of flight experience required for pilots to conduct flight operations; (3) prescribe regulations to limit the number of hours allowed for pilots to address pilot fatigue problems as well as to provide guidance to air carriers to develop, and submit to the FAA, fatigue management plans; and (4) submit to Congress a plan for overseeing federally-certified pilot training schools.

Requires an air carrier, before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot, to request and receive from the FAA records pertaining to any failed attempt of the individual to pass a practical test required to obtain a certificate or type rating under federal regulations.