In this section, the word “Administrator” in sections 601(a)–(c) and 604 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 775, 778) is retained on authority of 49:106(g).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “is empowered and it . . . be his duty to” and “and revising from time to time” are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words “as may be” are omitted as surplus. In clauses (2)–(5), the words “Reasonable” and “reasonable” are omitted as surplus and the word “rules” is omitted as being synonymous with “regulations”. In clause (5), the words “to provide adequately” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1), the words “the operation of” are omitted as surplus. The words “under section 44705 of this title” are added for clarity.

In subsection (b)(2), the words “scheduled or unscheduled” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c), the words “carry out” are substituted for “exercise and perform his powers and duties under”, and the words “in carrying out” are substituted for “in the administration and enforcement of”, for consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (d), before clause (1), the word “rules” is omitted as being synonymous with “regulations”. In clause (1), before subclause (A), the word “full” is omitted as surplus. In clause (1)(A), the word “provide” is substituted for “perform” for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (e), the words “from time to time” are omitted as surplus. The word “rule” is omitted as being synonymous with “regulation”.

This amends 49:44701(d) and (e) to correct erroneous cross-references.

2000—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 106–181 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

1994—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “any of sections 44702–44716” for “section 44702–44716”.

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2102, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 619, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [July 15, 2016], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall— “(1) develop a process to verify that air carrier training programs incorporate measures to train pilots on—“(A) monitoring automation systems; and “(B) controlling the flightpath of aircraft without autopilot or autoflight systems engaged; “(2) develop metrics or measurable tasks that air carriers can use to evaluate pilot monitoring proficiency; “(3) issue guidance to aviation safety inspectors responsible for oversight of the operations of air carriers on tracking and assessing pilots’ proficiency in manual flight; and “(4) issue guidance to air carriers and inspectors regarding standards for compliance with the requirements for enhanced pilot training contained in the final rule published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2013 (78 Fed. Reg. 67800).”

Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2109, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 623, provided that: “(a) In General.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to the requirements of subsection (b), the Administrator of the FAA may enter into a reimbursable agreement with an applicant or certificate-holder for the reasonable travel and per diem expenses of the FAA associated with official travel to expedite the acceptance or validation by a foreign authority of an FAA certificate or design approval or the acceptance or validation by the FAA of a foreign authority certificate or design approval. “(b) Conditions.—The Administrator may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if—“(1) the travel covered under the agreement is deemed necessary, by both the Administrator and the applicant or certificate-holder, to expedite the acceptance or validation of the relevant certificate or approval; “(2) the travel is conducted at the request of the applicant or certificate-holder; “(3) travel plans and expenses are approved by the applicant or certificate-holder prior to travel; and “(4) the agreement requires payment in advance of FAA services and is consistent with the processes under section 106(l)(6) of title 49, United States Code. “(c) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [July 15, 2016], the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a report on—“(1) the number of occasions on which the Administrator entered into reimbursable agreements under this section; “(2) the number of occasions on which the Administrator declined a request by an applicant or certificate-holder to enter into a reimbursable agreement under this section; “(3) the amount of reimbursements collected in accordance with agreements under this section; and “(4) the extent to which reimbursable agreements under this section assisted in reducing the amount of time necessary for validations of certificates and design approvals. “(d) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:“(1) Applicant.—The term ‘applicant’ means a person that has—“(A) applied to a foreign authority for the acceptance or validation of an FAA certificate or design approval; or “(B) applied to the FAA for the acceptance or validation of a foreign authority certificate or design approval. “(2) Certificate-holder.—The term ‘certificate-holder’ means a person that holds a certificate issued by the Administrator under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “(3) FAA.—The term ‘FAA’ means the Federal Aviation Administration.”

Pub. L. 112–153, § 3, Aug. 3, 2012, 126 Stat. 1162, provided that: “(a) In General.—“(1) Definition.—In this section, the term ‘NOTAM’ means Notices to Airmen. “(2) Improvements.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 3, 2012], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall begin a Notice to Airmen Improvement Program (in this section referred to as the ‘NOTAM Improvement Program’)—“(A) to improve the system of providing airmen with pertinent and timely information regarding the national airspace system; “(B) to archive, in a public central location, all NOTAMs, including the original content and form of the notices, the original date of publication, and any amendments to such notices with the date of each amendment; and “(C) to apply filters so that pilots can prioritize critical flight safety information from other airspace system information. “(b) Goals of Program.—The goals of the NOTAM Improvement Program are—“(1) to decrease the overwhelming volume of NOTAMs an airman receives when retrieving airman information prior to a flight in the national airspace system; “(2) make the NOTAMs more specific and relevant to the airman’s route and in a format that is more useable to the airman; “(3) to provide a full set of NOTAM results in addition to specific information requested by airmen; “(4) to provide a document that is easily searchable; and “(5) to provide a filtering mechanism similar to that provided by the Department of Defense Notices to Airmen. “(c) Advice From Private Sector Groups.—The Administrator shall establish a NOTAM Improvement Panel, which shall be comprised of representatives of relevant nonprofit and not-for-profit general aviation pilot groups, to advise the Administrator in carrying out the goals of the NOTAM Improvement Program under this section. “(d) Phase-in and Completion.—The improvements required by this section shall be phased in as quickly as practicable and shall be completed not later than the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 3, 2012].”

Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 313, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 67, provided that: “(a) Establishment of Advisory Panel.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish an advisory panel comprised of both Government and industry representatives to—“(1) review the October 2010 report by the Government Accountability Office on certification and approval processes (GAO–11–14); and “(2) develop recommendations to address the findings in the report and other concerns raised by interested parties, including representatives of the aviation industry. “(b) Matters To Be Considered.—The advisory panel shall—“(1) determine the root causes of inconsistent interpretation of regulations by the Administration’s Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service; “(2) develop recommendations to improve the consistency of interpreting regulations by the Administration’s Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service; and “(3) develop recommendations to improve communications between the Administration’s Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service and applicants and certificate and approval holders for the identification and resolution of potentially adverse issues in an expeditious and fair manner. “(c) Report to Congress.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of the advisory panel, together with an explanation of how the Administrator will implement the recommendations of the advisory panel and measure the effectiveness of the recommendations.”

Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 315, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 68, provided that: “(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall modify the Flight Standards Evaluation Program—“(1) to include periodic and random reviews as part of the Administration’s oversight of air carriers; and “(2) to prohibit an individual from participating in a review or audit of an office with responsibility for an air carrier under the program if the individual, at any time in the 5-year period preceding the date of the review or audit, had responsibility for inspecting, or overseeing the inspection of, the operations of that carrier. “(b) Annual Report to Congress.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the Flight Standards Evaluation Program, including the Administrator’s findings and recommendations with respect to the program. “(c) Flight Standards Evaluation Program Defined.—In this section, the term ‘Flight Standards Evaluation Program’ means the program established by the Federal Aviation Administration in FS 1100.1B CHG3, including any subsequent revisions thereto.”

Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 343, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 80, provided that: “(a) Reviews.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a process by which the air transportation oversight system database of the Administration is reviewed by regional teams of employees of the Administration, including at least one employee on each team representing aviation safety inspectors, on a monthly basis to ensure that—“(1) any trends in regulatory compliance are identified; and “(2) appropriate corrective actions are taken in accordance with Administration regulations, advisory directives, policies, and procedures. “(b) Monthly Team Reports.—“(1) In general.—A regional team of employees conducting a monthly review of the air transportation oversight system database under subsection (a) shall submit to the Administrator, the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, and the Director of Flight Standards Service a report each month on the results of the review. “(2) Contents.—A report submitted under paragraph (1) shall identify—“(A) any trends in regulatory compliance discovered by the team of employees in conducting the monthly review; and “(B) any corrective actions taken or proposed to be taken in response to the trends. “(c) Biannual Reports to Congress.—The Administrator, on a biannual basis, shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the reviews of the air transportation oversight system database conducted under this section, including copies of reports received under subsection (b).”

Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 345, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 81, provided that: “(a) Rulemaking on Applicability of Part 121 Duty Periods and Flight Time Limitations to Part 91 Operations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding, if such a proceeding has not already been initiated, to require a flight crewmember who is employed by an air carrier conducting operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and who accepts an additional assignment for flying under part 91 of such title from the air carrier or from any other air carrier conducting operations under part 121 or 135 of such title, to apply the period of the additional assignment (regardless of whether the assignment is performed by the flight crewmember before or after an assignment to fly under part 121 of such title) toward any limitation applicable to the flight crewmember relating to duty periods or flight times under part 121 of such title. “(b) Rulemaking on Applicability of Part 135 Duty Periods and Flight Time Limitations to Part 91 Operations.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to require a flight crewmember who is employed by an air carrier conducting operations under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and who accepts an additional assignment for flying under part 91 of such title from the air carrier or any other air carrier conducting operations under part 121 or 135 of such title, to apply the period of the additional assignment (regardless of whether the assignment is performed by the flight crewmember before or after an assignment to fly under part 135 of such title) toward any limitation applicable to the flight crewmember relating to duty periods or flight times under part 135 of such title. “(c) Separate Rulemaking Proceedings Required.—The rulemaking proceeding required under subsection (b) shall be separate from the rulemaking proceeding required under subsection (a).”

Pub. L. 112–95, title VI, § 606, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 113, provided that: “(a) In General.—Not later than October 1, 2012, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall implement, in as cost-effective a manner as possible, the staffing model for aviation safety inspectors developed pursuant to the National Academy of Sciences study entitled ‘Staffing Standards for Aviation Safety Inspectors’. In doing so, the Administrator shall consult with interested persons, including the exclusive bargaining representative for aviation safety inspectors certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code. “(b) Report.—Not later than January 1 of each year beginning after September 30, 2012, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the staffing model described in subsection (a).”

Pub. L. 112–95, title VIII, § 828, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 133, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation, including a designee of the Secretary, may not issue or enforce any regulation or other requirement regarding the transportation by aircraft of lithium metal cells or batteries or lithium ion cells or batteries, whether transported separately or packed with or contained in equipment, if the requirement is more stringent than the requirements of the ICAO Technical Instructions. “(b) Exceptions.—“(1) Passenger carrying aircraft.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may enforce the prohibition on transporting primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries and cells aboard passenger carrying aircraft set forth in special provision A100 under section 172.102(c)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012]). “(2) Credible reports.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), if the Secretary obtains a credible report with respect to a safety incident from a national or international governmental regulatory or investigating body that demonstrates that the presence of lithium metal cells or batteries or lithium ion cells or batteries on an aircraft, whether transported separately or packed with or contained in equipment, in accordance with the requirements of the ICAO Technical Instructions, has substantially contributed to the initiation or propagation of an onboard fire, the Secretary—“(A) may issue and enforce an emergency regulation, more stringent than the requirements of the ICAO Technical Instructions, that governs the transportation by aircraft of such cells or batteries, if that regulation—“(i) addresses solely deficiencies referenced in the report; and “(ii) is effective for not more than 1 year; and “(B) may adopt and enforce a permanent regulation, more stringent than the requirements of the ICAO Technical Instructions, that governs the transportation by aircraft of such cells or batteries, if—“(i) the Secretary bases the regulation upon substantial credible evidence that the otherwise permissible presence of such cells or batteries would substantially contribute to the initiation or propagation of an onboard fire; “(ii) the regulation addresses solely the deficiencies in existing regulations; and “(iii) the regulation imposes the least disruptive and least expensive variation from existing requirements while adequately addressing identified deficiencies. “(c) ICAO Technical Instructions Defined.—In this section, the term ‘ICAO Technical Instructions’ means the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (as amended, including amendments adopted after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012]).”

Pub. L. 111–216, title II, Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2350, as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, § 6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that:

Pub. L. 108–176, title V, § 506, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2560, provided that: “(a) Study.—“(1) In general.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the training of the aviation safety inspectors of the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section referred to as ‘FAA inspectors’). “(2) Contents.—The study shall include—“(A) an analysis of the type of training provided to FAA inspectors; “(B) actions that the Federal Aviation Administration has undertaken to ensure that FAA inspectors receive up-to-date training on the latest technologies; “(C) the extent of FAA inspector training provided by the aviation industry and whether such training is provided without charge or on a quid pro quo basis; and “(D) the amount of travel that is required of FAA inspectors in receiving training. “(3) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2003], the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study. “(b) Sense of the House.—It is the sense of the House of Representatives that—“(1) FAA inspectors should be encouraged to take the most up-to-date initial and recurrent training on the latest aviation technologies; “(2) FAA inspector training should have a direct relation to an individual’s job requirements; and “(3) if possible, a FAA inspector should be allowed to take training at the location most convenient for the inspector. “(c) Workload of Inspectors.—“(1) Study by national academy of sciences.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2003], the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make appropriate arrangements for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the assumptions and methods used by the Federal Aviation Administration to estimate staffing standards for FAA inspectors to ensure proper oversight over the aviation industry, including the designee program. “(2) Contents.—The study shall include the following:“(A) A suggested method of modifying FAA inspectors staffing models for application to current local conditions or applying some other approach to developing an objective staffing standard. “(B) The approximate cost and length of time for developing such models. “(3) Report.—Not later than 12 months after the initiation of the arrangements under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study.”

Pub. L. 106–181, title V, § 513, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 144, provided that: “(a) Report.—Not later than August 1, 2000, the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the progress of the Federal Aviation Administration in implementing the air transportation oversight system, including in detail the training of inspectors under the system, the number of inspectors using the system, air carriers subject to the system, and the budget for the system. “(b) Required Contents.—At a minimum, the report shall indicate—“(1) any funding or staffing constraints that would adversely impact the Administration’s ability to continue to develop and implement the air transportation oversight system; “(2) progress in integrating the aviation safety data derived from such system’s inspections with existing aviation data of the Administration in the safety performance analysis system of the Administration; and “(3) the Administration’s efforts in collaboration with the aviation industry to develop and validate safety performance measures and appropriate risk weightings for such system. “(c) Update.—Not later than August 1, 2002, the Administrator shall update the report submitted under this section and transmit the updated report to the committees referred to in subsection (a).”

Pub. L. 106–181, title VII, § 732, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 168, provided that: “(a) In General.—Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 5, 2000], flight operations conducted by Alaska guide pilots shall be regulated under the general operating and flight rules contained in part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “(b) Rulemaking Proceeding.—“(1) In general.—The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding and issue a final rule to modify the general operating and flight rules referred to in subsection (a) by establishing special rules applicable to the flight operations conducted by Alaska guide pilots. “(2) Contents of rules.—A final rule issued by the Administrator under paragraph (1) shall require Alaska guide pilots—“(A) to operate aircraft inspected no less often than after 125 hours of flight time; “(B) to participate in an annual flight review, as described in section 61.56 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; “(C) to have at least 500 hours of flight time as a pilot; “(D) to have a commercial rating, as described in subpart F of part 61 of such title; “(E) to hold at least a second-class medical certificate, as described in subpart C of part 67 of such title; “(F) to hold a current letter of authorization issued by the Administrator; and “(G) to take such other actions as the Administrator determines necessary for safety. “(3) Consideration.—In making a determination to impose a requirement under paragraph (2)(G), the Administrator shall take into account the unique conditions associated with air travel in the State of Alaska to ensure that such requirements are not unduly burdensome. “(c) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:“(1) Letter of authorization.—The term ‘letter of authorization’ means a letter issued by the Administrator once every 5 years to an Alaska guide pilot certifying that the pilot is in compliance with general operating and flight rules applicable to the pilot. In the case of a multi-pilot operation, at the election of the operating entity, a letter of authorization may be issued by the Administrator to the entity or to each Alaska guide pilot employed by the entity. “(2) Alaska guide pilot.—The term ‘Alaska guide pilot’ means a pilot who—“(A) conducts aircraft operations over or within the State of Alaska; “(B) operates single engine, fixed-wing aircraft on floats, wheels, or skis, providing commercial hunting, fishing, or other guide services and related accommodations in the form of camps or lodges; and “(C) transports clients by such aircraft incidental to hunting, fishing, or other guide services.”

Pub. L. 105–170, Apr. 24, 1998, 112 Stat. 47, provided that: