FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 - Detailed breakdown

Requires the FAA Administrator to designate an executive to serve as the lead for the cybersecurity of FAA systems and hardware.

Mandates the FAA Administrator to implement recommendations from a 2020 Government Accountability Office report to prevent fraud and abuse in aircraft registration.

Requires the FAA to collect and analyze data on accidents and incidents involving aircraft exempt from transponder requirements near airports.

Tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to review data and develop recommendations to expedite the installation of crash-resistant fuel systems in helicopters.

Directs the FAA Administrator to review and implement recommendations from a National Transportation Safety Board report on preventing turbulence-related injuries in commercial air carrier operations.

Tasks an advisory committee to review regulations and recommend safety measures for transporting lithium-ion battery-powered wheelchairs on commercial aircraft.

Establishes a task force to identify significant human factors affecting aviation safety, review regulations, and provide recommendations on pilot training, fatigue, and aircraft certification.

Tasks an FAA advisory committee to review and assess the need for changes to safety requirements for flight data recorders and terrain awareness systems on certain helicopters.

Amends existing law to permit certain air carriers to operate under instrument flight rules to destinations in noncontiguous states that lack official weather reporting, under specific conditions.

Amends federal law to establish the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative.

Redesignates the FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative to the Don Young Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative, aiming to reduce fatal aircraft accidents in Alaska by 90 percent by 2033.

Increases the maximum civil penalties for aviation violations to $1,200,000 for entities other than individuals or small businesses, and $100,000 for individuals.

Directs the FAA to establish a Runway Safety Council to develop a systematic management strategy to address airport surface safety risks and prevent runway incursions.

Requires the FAA to issue a final rule mandating the installation of a secondary cockpit barrier on all commercial passenger aircraft.

Mandates the FAA to issue a rule counting all flight crew operations towards Part 135 flight time and duty limitations, and requires updated record-keeping and safety management system oversight.

Requires new aircraft in overwater operations to be equipped with technology for flight data recovery without underwater retrieval, location broadcasting, and a 90-day underwater locating device.

Directs the FAA to initiate a safety review of airport ramp worker safety, focusing on ingestion and jet blast zone accidents, and to develop training materials based on the findings.

Directs the FAA to issue a rule allowing the transport of firefighters on certain restricted category aircraft for wildfire suppression, designating them as essential crewmembers.

Requires the FAA to study the safety effects of untracked high-altitude balloons and establish a committee to recommend standards for continuous tracking and transmission systems.

Mandates new safety requirements for commercial air tours and establishes rulemaking committees to recommend further safety improvements for both air tours and sport parachuting operations.

Requires the FAA to study and establish a rulemaking committee to recommend improvements to aircraft evacuation standards, focusing on passengers with disabilities, children, and seniors.

Requires all covered aircraft to be equipped with a 25-hour cockpit voice recorder within six years, and newly manufactured aircraft within one year. Prohibits use of recordings for disciplinary action.

Amends title 49 to include cybersecurity in the promotion of safe flight and gives the FAA Administrator exclusive authority to regulate the cybersecurity of civil aircraft.

Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a process to protect the national airspace system from cyber threats, including monitoring, evaluation, incident analysis, and response coordination.

Requires the establishment of a process and timeline for regularly screening software-based systems on certain aircraft to detect compromises from unauthorized access.

Updates crewmember self-defense training requirements to include unruly passenger behavior, de-escalation techniques, and methods to subdue attackers, and establishes minimum standards for the training.

Establishes a task force to develop best practices for responding to crewmember interference and requires pre-flight announcements that assaulting crew is a federal crime.

Requires the FAA to brief Congress on the Employee Assault Prevention and Response Plans submitted by air carriers, which are designed to protect airline employees from assault.

Mandates passenger air carriers to establish and implement a formal policy addressing sexual assault and harassment, including reporting procedures, personnel training, and passenger information.

Expands the definition of airport and air carrier employees with security duties to include those in ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, and boarding functions for purposes of interference laws.

Establishes a grant program for airports to fund human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts.

Directs the FAA to develop a plan for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by public entities in wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression efforts.

Amends regulations to permit public safety organizations to use tethered unmanned aircraft systems under specific altitude and airspace conditions, including for life-saving emergencies.

Authorizes the FAA, upon request from law enforcement, to temporarily restrict unmanned aircraft operations over eligible large public gatherings for safety and security.

Establishes a credentialing authority under the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems to provide standards, education, and testing for UAS use by first responders.

Requires the FAA to conduct research and development to improve civil aviation surveillance over oceans and remote locations for enhanced safety.

Requires the FAA to continue research and development activities to enhance the safety of air traffic operations on airport surfaces.

Requires the FAA to report to Congress on the implementation status of the aviation cybersecurity framework, including progress, research activities, and any challenges.

Mandates applied research and development to improve monitoring, understanding, and forecasting of severe turbulence to mitigate safety impacts on crew and passengers.

Extends the sunset date for counter-unmanned aircraft systems authorities under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to October 1, 2024.

Requires the FAA to prioritize the procurement of commercial products and services whenever possible in its acquisition management system to reduce impediments and improve efficiency.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to grant 10 additional slot exemptions for air carriers to operate new routes between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other domestic airports.

Requires air carriers to provide full refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) if the passenger declines alternative travel or vouchers.

Requires major airports to display posters outlining airline passenger rights regarding flight delays, cancellations, refunds, bumping, and lost or damaged baggage.

Requires air carriers to provide customers with free, 24/7 access to a live agent via a telephone line, customer chat, or a monitored text messaging number.

Directs air carriers to establish policies for reimbursing passengers for lodging, ground transportation, and meal costs incurred due to a significant flight delay or cancellation caused by the airline.

Directs the National Academies to study the loss of commercial air service in small communities and provide recommendations for restoring or replacing such service.

Allows the Secretary of Transportation to include provisions in project grant agreements to adjust payment amounts based on increases or decreases in commodity or labor prices.

Prohibits using airport improvement grant funds for contracts with entities owned or subsidized by the People's Republic of China that have been found to misappropriate U.S. intellectual property.

Increases the number of applications for innovative financing techniques that the Secretary of Transportation can approve annually to 30, limited to airports that are not large hubs.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide assistance for training and assistance programs for small disadvantaged business concerns involved in airport improvement projects.

Prohibits using federal airport funds for rolling stock from manufacturers owned or controlled by corporations based in certain nonmarket economy countries or those on a priority watch list.

Mandates the FAA to establish procedures to approve third-party service suppliers, including for unmanned aircraft system traffic management, to support commercial drone operations.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to use a risk-based approach to establish requirements for air carriers to transport hazardous materials via commercial package delivery drones.

Directs the Comptroller General to initiate a study on the economic sustainability of air cargo operations, covering infrastructure, development strategies, and operational issues.

Extends aviation-related taxes, including those on fuel and tickets, that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through September 30, 2028.

Directs the FAA to commission an independent study on the future of aircraft type certification, focusing on digital tools, risk-based models, and process efficiencies to improve safety.

Requires the FAA to review and update policies for flight simulation training devices and mandates a GAO study on the FAA's National Simulator Program.

Directs the FAA Administrator to support the education and professional development of aerospace professionals by developing materials on topics like ethics, safety management, and designee responsibilities.

Establishes a new program for qualified air carriers to provide enhanced training for eligible pilots seeking a restricted airline transport pilot certificate, without changing total flight hour requirements.

Mandates the FAA to continue partnerships with HBCUs and MSIs to promote aerospace careers and to track data on its Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program.

Directs the FAA to establish a working group to evaluate allowing high school students who complete an aviation maintenance curriculum to take the general written mechanic exam.

Directs the Comptroller General to study high school aviation maintenance programs and identify barriers for graduates seeking post-secondary training or FAA mechanic certification.

Mandates the FAA Administrator to create a plan for expanding FAA Academy capacity, including facilities, instruction, and technology, to increase the number of air traffic controller trainees.

Establishes and funds grant programs to support the education, recruitment, and development of the aircraft pilot, aviation maintenance, and aviation manufacturing workforces.

Establishes a grant program for educational institutions to provide workforce training for small unmanned aircraft systems.

Directs the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative and report findings and recommendations to Congress.

Updates the program for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) test ranges, allowing for up to two new ranges and outlining requirements for their operation and data collection until 2028.

Allows elementary and secondary schools, in addition to higher education institutions, to operate unmanned aircraft systems for educational or research purposes.

Directs the FAA to establish a Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies by September 30, 2026, to support the testing and advancement of new aviation technologies.

Expands the research focus of the Advanced Materials Center of Excellence to include passenger safety, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and advanced material durability.

Directs the FAA to create a research plan to inform the development of policies, regulations, and standards for the safe and efficient operation of civil supersonic aircraft.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review existing environmental categorical exclusions and requires the FAA to adopt new, relevant exclusions for airport projects to streamline approvals.

Directs the FAA Administrator to participate in a Hawaii state task force on air noise and safety and respond to its recommendations with potential rulemaking or other actions.

Amends airport planning requirements to include considerations for long-term resilience from natural hazards, severe weather events, and the impact of hazardous weather.

Mandates an assessment of the resiliency of airports in coastal or flood-prone areas to hazardous weather and other environmental factors.

Establishes a program to encourage airports to assess current and future power demands and provides grants for related development projects to improve energy efficiency.

Establishes a program to reimburse airports for costs associated with acquiring, disposing, and transitioning to approved fluorine-free firefighting foam and related equipment.

Prohibits airports from restricting the sale of 100-octane low lead aviation gasoline until a viable unleaded replacement is widely available or December 31, 2030, whichever is earlier.

Prohibits the FAA and EPA from restricting 100-octane low lead aviation gasoline in Alaska until December 31, 2032, or until a suitable unleaded alternative is widely available.

Amends the program for airport sponsors to receive emission credits for projects that reduce airport-related emissions, making the program more flexible.

Requires the FAA Administrator to review and revise regulations related to airport noise compatibility planning within one year, including outreach to affected communities.

Requires the FAA Administrator to consider actions to reduce aircraft noise when implementing or revising flight procedures, such as working with local communities on routes.

Requires the FAA Administrator to update the list of actions presumed to conform to State air quality implementation plans to include aircraft hangar construction projects.

Directs the Comptroller General to study and provide recommendations on reducing helicopter noise in the District of Columbia, considering factors like flight paths, altitude, and aircraft type.

Mandates the FAA Administrator to continue the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Initiative through 2030 to safely transition piston-engine aircraft to unleaded fuel.

Requires the FAA to publish UAS-specific environmental review guidance and waive noise certification requirements for UAS until new standards are finalized.

Tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to provide recommendations within 3 years for regulations on advanced propulsion systems, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen technologies.

Continues the operation of the Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment to research alternative fuels, noise reduction, and environmental impacts of aviation.

Directs the FAA and the Department of Energy to lead research and development activities and create a strategy for the safe use of hydrogen in civil aviation.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to review and plan coordination efforts for the development, certification, and operation of aircraft powered by new aviation fuels and fuel systems.

Delays the application of certain EPA and FAA fuel efficiency standards for specific purpose-built freighter airplanes until five years after January 1, 2028.

Directs the FAA to lead the development of regulations and standards for the safe use of hydrogen in civil aviation, including for hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft.

Extends the Federal Aviation Administration's authority to obligate funds for airport improvement projects through September 30, 2028.

Extends various authorities through 2028, including the FAA's authority to provide insurance, support for airports in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau, and the Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee.

Establishes specific qualifications for the FAA Administrator and Deputy Administrator, including experience in aviation and organizational management. The Administrator's term of office is set to 5 years.

Creates the position of Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement to manage the FAA's regulatory agenda, review existing regulations, and improve the efficiency of the rulemaking process.

Prohibits the FAA Administrator and Deputy Administrator from having a financial interest in an aeronautical enterprise or engaging in other employment, with limited exceptions for teaching and index funds.

Specifies that the Secretary of Transportation must approve FAA regulations that have an economic impact of $250 million or more. It also mandates periodic reviews of significant regulations.

Requires the FAA to establish a review team to improve the timeliness and accountability of its regulatory process. Also directs the DOT Inspector General to review the process for non-regulatory materials.

Sets a deadline of December 31, 2025, to operationalize key NextGen programs and terminates the NextGen Office, transferring its remaining functions to other FAA offices.

Directs the FAA to establish an Airspace Modernization Office by January 1, 2026, responsible for the continuous modernization of the national airspace system and developing a long-term integrated plan.

Requires the FAA Deputy Administrator to determine the feasibility and benefit of creating a public-facing dashboard for tracking application statuses and a portal for public feedback on FAA interactions.

Establishes the Federal Aerospace Management Advisory Council to advise the FAA Administrator on management, policy, spending, and regulatory matters, defining its membership and functions.

Modifies the appointment and responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system, removing certain approval requirements and adding new duties for system improvement.

Requires the FAA Administrator to submit a report to Congress detailing any unfunded capital investment needs for the air traffic control system after the President's budget is submitted.

Amends the role of the Chief Technology Officer, specifying that the position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and is appointed by the Administrator.

Expands the definition of the air traffic control system to include systems, software, and hardware operated by third parties that support air navigation and traffic management services with FAA approval.

Mandates that the Department of Transportation Inspector General perform a peer review of the Office of Whistleblower Protection and Aviation Safety Investigations every five years.

Repeals and amends various laws to eliminate several obsolete or unnecessary reporting and regulatory requirements for the FAA, streamlining its operations.

Authorizes the FAA to serve notices, processes, and actions via electronic or facsimile transmission, in addition to traditional methods.

Directs the FAA Administrator to identify and initiate the digitization of at least three paper-based certification processes to improve efficiency and allow applicants to track their applications.

Authorizes the FAA Administrator to establish telework policies that increase efficiency and retention without compromising the agency's mission, safety, or training opportunities.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive review of the department's domestic office footprint to identify opportunities for consolidation and optimization.

Restores authority to the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations prohibiting the disclosure of sensitive security information, effective as of October 5, 2018.

Encourages FAA employees to actively participate in recognized industry standards organizations to advance the adoption of standards and means of compliance.

Establishes an Advanced Aviation Technology and Innovation Steering Committee to create a strategy for integrating new technologies into the national airspace.

Requires annual unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations and prohibits air carriers from contracting for heavy maintenance in countries with poor safety ratings.

Requires Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) holders to provide annual ethics and professionalism training for all unit members who perform delegated certification functions.

Extends various provisions of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act through 2028, including oversight, training, and safety reporting programs.

Extends the requirement for the FAA to conduct an annual agency-wide evaluation of its Compliance Program through fiscal year 2028 to assess its effectiveness.

Requires a qualified third-party organization to evaluate the FAA's collection, analysis, and use of aviation data to improve safety trend analysis and risk identification.

Mandates the Department of Transportation's Inspector General to audit the FAA's processes for communicating aviation safety concerns related to spectrum reallocations.

Grants the FAA Administrator sole regulatory and oversight jurisdiction over the maintenance and operations of civilian-owned, restricted-category aircraft.

Directs the FAA and NOAA to create a publicly available website showing the real-time service status of all automated surface and weather observation systems (ASOS/AWOS).

Requires the FAA to review the 'Human Readiness Level Scale' standard and consider incorporating it into agency guidance to enhance safety related to human factors.

Establishes a working group to review regulations and policies related to check airmen for certain air carriers, focusing on selection, training, and qualification standards.

Requires applicants for an aircraft type certificate to certify that their design data complies with all applicable airworthiness standards.

Directs the FAA to issue a new rule requiring public notice and comment for exceptions to airworthiness standards for significant aircraft design changes.

Mandates the FAA to implement improvements to its safety data sharing and risk mitigation program, including developing predictive capabilities and expanding industry participation.

Directs the FAA to convene a rulemaking committee to review and develop recommendations regarding the instructions for maintaining aircraft airworthiness.

Strengthens protections from public disclosure for information submitted to the FAA under voluntary safety programs, such as the Aviation Safety Action Program and Flight Operational Quality Assurance.

Expands the FAA's international role by requiring it to maintain an international presence, negotiate bilateral safety agreements, provide technical assistance, and develop a strategic plan for global engagement.

Delegates authority to supervisors to authorize domestic and international travel for certain FAA personnel for safety promotion, training, and site visits, without requiring additional approvals.

Formalizes the FAA's authority to assess the aviation safety oversight of foreign countries and restrict operations of foreign air carriers from countries that fail to meet international safety standards.

Authorizes the FAA Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to assess civil penalties against air carriers that violate whistleblower protection laws.

Requires the FAA Administrator to convene an aviation rulemaking committee to develop recommendations on cybersecurity standards for civil aircraft, airports, and air traffic control systems.

Directs the Comptroller General to review and report on how aircraft cybersecurity risks are addressed within the strategic framework for aviation security.

Requires the FAA to publish "U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics" monthly, make the data publicly available in a downloadable format, and include more data on the sex of certificate holders.

Mandates the FAA to establish a streamlined, confidential process for reporting alleged misconduct by designees and requires an Inspector General audit of the process.

Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a new work code for human factors professionals involved in designing and testing technologies for safe human performance.

Requires the FAA to conduct a study on the workload challenges faced by frontline managers in air traffic control facilities and brief Congress on the results.

Establishes a task group to evaluate and recommend improvements to the FAA's online medical portal for pilots, focusing on cybersecurity, user interface, and information sharing.

Directs the FAA to study the recruitment, hiring, and retention of air traffic controller instructors and assess the potential for using retired controllers to improve training.

Requires the FAA to review and revise the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA) to ensure it effectively tests job-relevant aptitudes for air traffic controller applicants.

Prohibits aircraft dispatchers from working outside of a designated physical dispatch center, except for a limited time during emergencies, and establishes requirements for these centers.

Establishes an interagency working group to improve career transitions for aviation professionals between the military and civilian workforces.

Mandates the FAA Administrator to utilize direct-hire authorities to fill positions related to aircraft certification and aviation safety, focusing on staffing gaps.

Requires the DOT Inspector General to audit FAA workforce plans for safety-critical occupations, assessing staffing levels, retention trends, skills gaps, and training programs.

Directs the FAA to review and revise its staffing model for aviation safety inspectors and subsequently take action to fill the number of positions identified by the validated model.

Requires the FAA to maximize air traffic controller hiring based on training capacity and mandates a Transportation Research Board assessment to determine the best staffing model for operational needs.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a national strategic plan and an advisory council to address recruitment, hiring, and retention challenges in the civil aviation workforce.

Creates a new Office of Aviation Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation, led by an Assistant Secretary, to administer and enforce aviation consumer protection and civil rights laws.

Directs the Department of Transportation to create and maintain public online dashboards detailing airline policies on delay compensation, family seating guarantees, and aircraft seat sizes.

Extends the authorization for the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection and the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee until September 30, 2028.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to annually submit and publish a detailed report on aviation consumer complaints filed by passengers with a disability.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to investigate any disability-related complaint within 120 days of receipt and provide a written determination to the complainant and the air carrier.

Allows an eligible Essential Air Service community to petition the Secretary for a review if they have no confidence in their current air carrier, potentially leading to the carrier's termination.

Directs the Department of Transportation's inspector general to study the effects of reclassifying certain navigation aids to a higher design assurance level.

Requires the FAA to arrange for the National Academy of Public Administration to review the performance and quantifiable benefits of the NextGen program.

Mandates the FAA and Department of Defense to conduct a comprehensive review of the national airspace system to identify ways to streamline and expedite airspace access for all users.

Requires the Department of Transportation's inspector general to initiate an audit of the workforce needs of the FAA's Contract Tower Program.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to request the Secretary of Labor to review and update wage determinations and occupation codes for air traffic controllers in the Contract Tower Program.

Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the efficiency and efficacy of scheduled commercial air service transiting congested airspace.

Requires the FAA to initiate an audit of all legacy systems in the national airspace system to determine operational risk, functionality, and security.

Directs the FAA to enter an agreement with a federally funded research center to study the consolidation or reorganization of air traffic control facilities.

Requires the FAA to submit a report to Congress on the process for choosing air traffic control tower facilities for replacement and to publish a list of replaced towers.

Requires the FAA to update its airway planning standard to lower the installation requirement for remote radar bright display scopes from 30,000 to 15,000 annual itinerant operations.

Doubles the penalty amount for the illegal diversion of airport revenues by airport sponsors.

Requires the FAA to provide training to states participating in the block grant program and clarifies that states are not required to manage airport responsibilities beyond the scope of the program.

Requires the FAA Administrator to revise the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Handbook within three years, including special exceptions for Alaska and updates for LED lighting systems.

Directs the Comptroller General to audit the FAA's airport financial reporting program and provide recommendations for improvement.

Limits the FAA Secretary's review authority for airport projects on land acquired without federal funds to portions impacting safety, operations, or prior federal investments.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation data for each airport sponsor on a public website starting in fiscal year 2025.

Grants the FAA Administrator sole legal authority to approve a disputed change in sponsorship or operational responsibility for a federally obligated, publicly owned airport.

Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an evaluation and report to Congress on the costs, benefits, and logistical considerations of transitioning to unleaded aviation fuel in Alaska.

Increases the maximum Passenger Facility Charge to $4.50 and streamlines the application and approval process for airports to impose these charges.

Establishes an Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee to advise the FAA on issues related to aircraft noise exposure, alternative noise metrics, and mitigation strategies.

Establishes a Community Collaboration Program within the FAA to harmonize policies on community engagement regarding airport planning, noise, and air traffic changes.

Requires the FAA to establish a mechanism to make helicopter noise complaint data for the Washington, DC area publicly accessible on its website within two years.

Directs the Comptroller General to initiate a study examining ways in which state, territorial, or local governments can mitigate the negative impacts of commercial helicopter noise.

Amends the Pilot's Bill of Rights to require the FAA to provide timely, written notification to an individual subject to a reexamination of their airman certificate.

Requires the FAA to establish a process for private aircraft owners to withhold their registration number, personally identifiable information, and other data from broad public dissemination.

Requires the FAA to make a determination or close an investigation within two years of issuing a letter of investigation, with options for extensions.

Allows an aircraft to be operated after its registration expires if a renewal application has been submitted and documentation is aboard the aircraft.

Allows individuals to obtain a temporary airman certificate electronically or in person immediately after applying for a permanent replacement certificate.

Requires the FAA to reduce and maintain the aircraft registration backlog so that applications are processed, on average, within 10 business days.

Directs the FAA to reduce the backlog of air carrier certificate applications, aiming for an average processing time of less than 30 days within two years.

Requires the FAA to issue a final rule to remove the expiration date on flight instructor certificates and replace renewal with recent experience requirements.

Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to audit the consistency of policy interpretation and application by the FAA's Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification Services.

Makes pilots of aircraft under the control of forestry and fire protection agencies eligible to log flight time in the same manner as law enforcement pilots, applied retroactively to October 5, 2018.

Prohibits the FAA from initiating an investigation of a person based exclusively on automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast (ADS-B) data, unless initiated for other reasons.

Directs the Comptroller General to review laws, regulations, and policies related to charitable flights and provide a report with recommendations to Congress.

Requires the FAA to establish a national office to oversee and coordinate designated pilot examiners, standardize policies, and manage their deployment based on demand.

Directs the FAA to adopt a performance- and risk-based approach to reviewing UAS waiver requests, standardize applications, and streamline approvals for substantially similar requests.

Terminates the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee and establishes the Unmanned and Autonomous Flight Advisory Committee to advise the FAA on unmanned and autonomous aviation issues.

Expands the membership of the NextGen Advisory Committee to include representatives from the unmanned aircraft system and powered-lift industries.

Extends the FAA's BEYOND program, which partners with state, local, and Tribal governments to test and evaluate new aviation concepts and technologies like drones.

Directs the FAA Administrator to implement recommendations from the GAO and DOT Inspector General to improve the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace.

Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a comprehensive plan for integrating autonomous unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace.

Extends the FAA's special authority to grant exemptions for certain unmanned aircraft systems to operate, particularly for low-risk beyond visual line of sight operations, until September 30, 2033.

Amends rules for recreational drone flights, establishing a process for approved fixed-site operations and updating aeronautical knowledge and safety test requirements.

Directs the FAA to issue proposed and final rules establishing a performance-based regulatory pathway for unmanned aircraft systems to operate beyond the visual line of sight.

Updates the Advanced Air Mobility Working Group's scope to include vertiport operators, address electrification needs, and extend its reporting deadline to 18 months.

Directs the FAA Administrator to publish a final rule within 7 months establishing procedures for certifying pilots and providing operational rules for powered-lift aircraft.

Requires the FAA to establish procedures, including potential high-speed testing corridors, for developmental and airworthiness testing of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.

Extends the contract weather observer program, preventing it from being discontinued or diminished at any airport until September 30, 2028.

Directs the Comptroller General to review the FAA's management of research and development, including its planning, prioritization, and collaboration with other agencies like NASA.

Establishes a research program to evaluate using advanced technologies like AI and virtual reality to modernize and improve training for air traffic controllers.

Prohibits using authorized funds for activities with the Chinese Communist Party or China-influenced entities, with exemptions for national security, safety, and intelligence purposes.

Establishes an interagency working group to coordinate federal research, development, and testing for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems.

Directs the interagency working group to develop a 10-year strategic plan to guide and prioritize federal research, development, and testing of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems.

Requires the FAA to accept digital or mobile driver's licenses and identification cards issued by a State.

Reauthorizes the NTSB and requires it to develop a strategic workforce plan, establish travel budgets for board members, and provide greater justification for closing safety recommendations.

Requires the National Transportation Safety Board to make accident reports publicly available in electronic form at no cost.

Requires the National Transportation Safety Board to report to Congress if an accident report is not completed within two years and provide quarterly progress updates.

Grants the National Transportation Safety Board authority to require transportation operators and manufacturers to provide recorders, data, and design specifications for accident investigations.

Requires National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations to be made publicly available in electronic form at no cost.

Mandates the National Transportation Safety Board to make all public docket records from investigations electronically available in a public database within 24 months.

Directs the National Transportation Safety Board to implement a drug testing program for its employees within 12 months.

Requires the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct an assessment of its facilities for accessibility barriers within 12 months.

Removes the FAA medical certificate requirement for Air Safety Investigators and mandates updates to other eligibility criteria for the role.

Directs the Comptroller General to review and report on the procurement and contracting practices of the National Transportation Safety Board within 18 months.

Requires the FAA to make its helicopter air ambulance operations database publicly available and to brief Congress on how new safety management systems will improve operations.

Requires a study by the National Academies on radiation exposure and health risks for crewmembers on commercial aircraft operating at high altitudes.

Mandates a study by the National Academies on the health and safety impacts of unsafe cabin temperatures on passengers and crewmembers.

Directs the FAA to arrange for a third-party entity to evaluate whether poor air quality in the passenger terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport negatively affects passengers.

Mandates the FAA to complete a study on bleed air, create a voluntary reporting system for smoke or fume events, and arrange a National Academies study on cabin air quality.

Directs the FAA to issue a proposed rule to update the contents of emergency medical kits on passenger aircraft, considering items for opioid overdose, anaphylaxis, and cardiac arrest.

Requires the FAA to develop and publicize an "Airman’s Medical Bill of Rights" detailing an individual's rights during medical examinations conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner.

Establishes a working group to review and recommend modernizations to the FAA's medical processes, policies, and procedures to ensure timely and efficient airmen certification.

Requires the FAA to update regulations to ensure at least one individual certified as an emergency medical technician is maintained at small, medium, or large hub airports.

Directs the FAA to contract with the National Academies for a study on airborne ultrafine particles (UFPs) and their health effects on communities near airports.

Allows an examiner to administer a practical test or proficiency check if they meet BasicMed medical qualification requirements for certain aircraft operations.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to convene a working group to develop best practices for transporting organs in the cabin of commercial aircraft.

Prohibits the FAA from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees, contractors, or air carrier employees, and from requiring passengers to be vaccinated or wear masks.

Prohibits air carriers from denying service to any individual solely based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Directs the Comptroller General to study how to improve the procurement, functionality, and sustainability of weather reporting systems in the national airspace system.

Directs a study and pilot program to explore monitoring ground source data at airports to collect statistics on tarmac delays.

Requires the FAA to install and operate automated weather systems at each covered airport in Alaska and other specified locations by December 31, 2030.

Mandates the FAA to ensure Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) coverage is available at 5,000 feet above ground level throughout Alaska and covered locations by December 31, 2030.

Prohibits the FAA from restricting funding for the full length and width of existing runways in Alaska based solely on reduced aeronautical activity levels.

Requires the FAA to ensure airport surface detection and surveillance systems are deployed and operational at all medium and large hub airports within 5 years.

Requires the FAA to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking within one year to implement a 2016 law requiring the marking of certain towers to improve aviation safety.

Requires the FAA to make tower simulator systems more accessible to all air traffic controllers by developing a cloud-based system and upgrading or acquiring simulators for all facilities.

Requires regulations to ensure air carrier and airport websites, kiosks, and software applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities, consistent with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA.

Directs the Secretary to issue rules on standards for accessible aircraft boarding, deplaning, and in-flight entertainment, and to conduct rulemaking on in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems.

Amends the Essential Air Service program by adjusting subsidy-per-passenger caps, changing waiver limitations, and restricting route lengths to medium or large hub airports.

Requires the FAA Administrator to expedite the installation of at least 15 instrument landing systems (ILS) in the national airspace system by January 1, 2025.

Directs the FAA to consider replacing air traffic control towers at small hub airports that are at least 50 years old when selecting projects for funding.

Establishes a pilot program to award grants to technology providers to develop and incorporate flight profile optimization into the FAA's air traffic flow management system.

Requires the FAA to evaluate adding satellite voice communication services (SatVoice) for air traffic control messages in oceanic and remote continental airspace.

Establishes a pilot program to test the use of mobile technology for delivering departure clearances to general aviation pilots at certain airports.

Establishes deadlines for the FAA to fully implement key NextGen programs, including performance-based navigation, data communications, and terminal flight data management systems.

Allows air traffic controllers at contract towers to use advanced equipment and technologies, such as radar displays and automated systems, to improve situational awareness.

Directs the FAA to create a program and publish milestones for the system design and operational approval of remote tower systems, prioritizing certain airports.

Directs the FAA to initiate a rulemaking process to establish or update low-altitude routes and flight procedures for rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft.

Requires a study to assess the need for upgrades or replacement of existing automated weather observation systems (ASOS/AWOS) in non-contiguous States.

Expands the definition of "airport development" to include projects like secondary runways, fuel infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and resilience improvements, making them eligible for AIP funding.

For fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the federal government's share of allowable project costs for grants to nonhub or nonprimary airports will be increased to 95 percent.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue letters of intent to small airports, signaling a commitment to obligate future funds for development projects.

Updates the formulas for distributing federal funds to primary, commercial service, and cargo airports based on passenger boardings and cargo weight, and increases the allocation for general aviation airports.

Establishes the Airport Safety and Resilient Infrastructure Discretionary Program to fund projects that reduce runway incursions or increase airport resilience to flooding and other climate impacts.

Establishes stricter conditions and public notice requirements before the federal government can waive restrictions on airport property, aiming to prevent the permanent closure of airports.

Replaces 'design-build contracting' with the broader 'alternative project delivery' and establishes a pilot program for up to five airport construction projects using integrated project delivery contracts.

Extends the pilot program for nonmovement area surveillance surface display systems at airports from May 11, 2024, to October 1, 2028.

Establishes a pilot program to award grants to commercial service airports for capital projects that upgrade accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Creates a pilot program to provide grants to a maximum of two general aviation airports per year for runway extension projects to accommodate larger aircraft.

Requires the FAA to consider additional factors like cumulative impacts of structures, laser hazards, and wildlife attractants when reviewing proposed construction near airports.

Authorizes a pilot program for up to 10 airports to use federal funds for infrastructure and equipment supporting electric aircraft operations, terminating on October 1, 2028.

Requires medium and large hub airports, starting in fiscal year 2030, to install and maintain at least one universal changing station in each terminal to be eligible for project grants.

Directs the Comptroller General to study challenges faced by nonhub airports and recommend ways to secure and retain flight schedules using existing Federal programs.

Allows Passenger Facility Charge revenue to be used for noise barriers at small hub airports and for relocating Federal agency workspaces during terminal development projects.

Streamlines the environmental review process for airport capacity, terminal development, and general aviation projects, setting a maximum 2-year schedule and establishing coordination plans.

Extends a pilot program related to airport projects until October 1, 2028, and allows for 6 projects per fiscal year.

Establishes a presumption of categorical exclusion from environmental review for airport projects with limited federal assistance or for repairs after a declared emergency.

Establishes a pilot program to provide sensitive airspace radar data to qualified users to support air traffic management and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management services.

Initiates a pilot program to use unmanned aircraft systems to supplement inspections of ground-based aviation infrastructure like control towers and navigational aids.

Establishes a grant program for governmental entities to use small unmanned aircraft systems for inspecting, operating, constructing, maintaining, and repairing critical infrastructure to improve worker safety.

Mandates the FAA to update its vertiport design guidance by December 31, 2024, and publish a performance-based vertiport design advisory circular by December 31, 2025.

Extends the Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure pilot program to September 30, 2027, and authorizes funding through fiscal year 2026.

Establishes a research and development program to continuously modernize the FAA's aeronautical information systems, including the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system.

Requires the FAA to establish an accelerated research and development program to ensure next-generation radio altimeters are developed, certified, and installed by January 1, 2028.

Mandates a review of current and planned weather technology to better predict weather impacts on aviation, including for unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility operations.

Requires the FAA to review the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to improve airport efficiency and safety in areas like jet bridges and air traffic control.

Mandates FAA research on the effective use and management of radio frequency spectrum in civil aviation to ensure safety and mitigate interference from reallocation of adjacent spectrum.

Directs the FAA to create a comprehensive research, development, and testing plan to mature remote tower technologies and provide a roadmap for their deployment.

Directs the FAA to conduct research, development, and testing to facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility into the national airspace.

Extends the authority to make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through September 30, 2028.

Prohibits requiring an airport to shorten its runway, apron, or taxiway as a condition for federal funding if the airport supports a U.S. Air Force or Air National Guard base.

Prohibits FAA funds from fiscal years 2024 through 2028 from being used to process applications for joint civil-military use of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.

Requires the FAA, in coordination with the Department of Defense, to review requirements for operating unescorted federal or military unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace.

Prohibits the Department of Transportation from procuring, operating, or awarding contracts or grants for unmanned aircraft systems manufactured by entities from covered foreign countries like China and Russia.

Establishes a committee to advise the Secretary of Transportation on policies to promote the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the aviation industry.

Requires the FAA to issue guidance to air carriers regarding policies for lactating crewmembers to express milk during noncritical phases of flight, considering wearable technology.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule directing airlines to seat children who have not attained 14 years of age next to an accompanying adult at no additional cost.

Mandates a rulemaking to establish minimum, hands-on training standards for airline personnel who assist passengers using wheelchairs and who handle and stow mobility devices on aircraft.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a roadmap and conduct studies on the feasibility of allowing passengers to remain in their personal wheelchairs in the main aircraft cabin during flights.

Directs the Secretary to issue rules on seating for passengers with disabilities and establishes a 5-year pilot program for known service animals to ease travel documentation requirements.

Allows airport sponsors to enter agreements for interim or permanent recreational use of certain airport property at below fair market value without violating federal grant assurances, under specific conditions.

Expands family assistance services after aircraft and rail accidents to include passengers, not just their families, and updates procedures for managing passenger lists.

Directs the FAA to create a rule for a streamlined certification process for eligible military maintenance technicians, including a specific competency test, to obtain civilian mechanic certificates.

Amends the BasicMed program to allow pilots to operate aircraft carrying up to 6 passengers (previously 5) and weighing up to 12,500 pounds, and modifies medical certificate requirements.

Sets a 5-year validity for exemptions that allow volunteer pilots to be reimbursed for fuel and airport fees for charitable flights, and allows organizations to set additional safety rules.