[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3559 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 110
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3559
[Report No. 118-139, Part I]
To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and
development, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 22, 2023
Mr. Lucas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
July 11, 2023
Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with an
amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
July 11, 2023
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 22,
2023]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and
development, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``FAA Research and
Development Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE I --FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
Sec. 101. Report on implementation; funding for safety research and
development.
TITLE II --FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. Aviation fuel research, development, and usage.
Sec. 202. Continuous lower energy, emission, and noise (CLEEN).
Sec. 203. Strategy on hydrogen aviation research and development.
Sec. 204. Report on future electric grid resiliency.
Sec. 205. Air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote
locations.
Sec. 206. Utilization of space-based assets to improve air traffic
control and aviation safety.
Sec. 207. Aviation weather technology review.
Sec. 208. Air traffic surface operations safety.
Sec. 209. Airport and airfield pavement technology research program.
Sec. 210. Technology review of artificial intelligence and machine
learning technologies.
Sec. 211. Research plan for commercial supersonic research.
Sec. 212. Electromagnetic spectrum research and development.
Sec. 213. Aviation structures, materials, and advanced manufacturing
research and development.
Sec. 214. Research plan on the remote tower program.
Sec. 215. Air traffic control training.
Sec. 216. Report on aviation cybersecurity directives.
Sec. 217. Rule of construction regarding collaborations.
Sec. 218. Turbulence research and development.
Sec. 219. Research, development, and demonstration programs.
Sec. 220. Limitation.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate.
(3) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation
Administration.
(4) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Subsection (a) of section 48102 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (15) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(16) $255,130,000; for fiscal year 2024;
``(17) $261,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(18) $267,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(19) $273,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(20) $279,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
TITLE I --FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
SEC. 101. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION; FUNDING FOR SAFETY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the allocation of
funding pursuant to section 48102 of title 49, United States Code, to
the Secretary of Transportation to conduct civil aviation research and
development and to assess the implementation of section 48102(b)(2) of
such title.
TITLE II --FAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. AVIATION FUEL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND USAGE.
(a) Roadmap.--Not later than nine months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall coordinate
with the Administrator of NASA, the Secretary of Energy, and the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and consult
relevant stakeholders, including those in industry and academia, to
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
coordinated research and development roadmap to safely eliminate the
use of leaded aviation fuel in existing and future certified piston-
engine aircraft. Such roadmap shall--
(1) identify activities to accelerate the development,
testing, and certification of safe and lead-free fuel for use
in general aviation aircraft, including requisite airport
refueling infrastructure; and
(2) consider the feasibility of widespread use of such safe
and lead-free aviation fuel by not later than 2028.
(b) Partnership With Private Industry.--The Administrator shall
coordinate with industry and pilot operators regarding research
programs for mass production and distribution of unleaded aviation
gasoline for market viability engine safety, and define criteria to
explore incentive programs to reduce lead emissions for communities in
need.
SEC. 202. CONTINUOUS LOWER ENERGY, EMISSION, AND NOISE (CLEEN).
The Administrator shall consider expanding the CLEEN program under
section 47511 of title 49, United States Code, and broadening
eligibility for the CLEEN program to new entrants to the aviation
system.
SEC. 203. STRATEGY ON HYDROGEN AVIATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Administrator of NASA and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies,
shall lead the development of a research and development strategy on
the safe use of hydrogen as part of a sustainable future for aviation.
Such strategy shall consider the following:
(1) The feasibility, opportunities, challenges, and
pathways toward the potential and safe uses of hydrogen in
aviation.
(2) The use of hydrogen in addition to research and
development efforts, including electrification, operational
efficiencies and other alternatives to traditional aviation
fuel.
(b) Transmittal.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of the Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the
appropriate committees of Congress the research and development
strategy required under subsection (a).
(c) Research and Development.--Based on the results of the research
and development strategy under subsection (a), the Administrator, in
coordination with the Administrator of NASA, may conduct research and
development activities into the following:
(1) The qualification of hydrogen aviation fuel.
(2) The safe transition to such fuel for aircraft.
(3) The advancement of certification efforts for such fuel.
(4) Risk mitigation measures for the use of such fuel in
aircraft systems, including propulsion and storage systems.
SEC. 204. REPORT ON FUTURE ELECTRIC GRID RESILIENCY.
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy,
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the
model use of the electrical grid to support future electric advanced
air mobility, including cost, challenges, and opportunities for clean
generation of electricity relating to such support.
SEC. 205. AIR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE OVER OCEANS AND OTHER REMOTE
LOCATIONS.
(a) Air Traffic Surveillance Over Oceans.--Subject to the
availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Administrator of NASA and the heads of other
relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out research, development,
demonstration, and testing on civilian air traffic surveillance over
oceans and other remote locations.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out the research, development,
demonstration, and testing under subsection (a), the Administrator
shall--
(1) consider the need for international interoperability of
technologies, data, operations, and air traffic control
systems;
(2) examine the status of using air traffic surveillance
technologies, including space-based Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast, to facilitate the implementation of
minimal separation standards over United States-controlled
oceanic airspace;
(3) identify mitigating approaches to reducing any
operational challenges, associated costs, or workload impacts;
and
(4) use testing, data collection, evaluation, and analysis
on the use of air traffic surveillance technologies, including
space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, to
support the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(c) Pilot Program.--The Administrator may carry out a pilot program
to test and evaluate air traffic surveillance equipment over United
States-controlled oceanic airspace and other remote locations.
(d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the activities carried
out under this section.
SEC. 206. UTILIZATION OF SPACE-BASED ASSETS TO IMPROVE AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL AND AVIATION SAFETY.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator
of NASA, and in consultation with industry stakeholders, shall carry
out research, development, and testing of the use of air traffic Space-
Based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data.
(b) Research Activities.--In carrying out the research,
development, and testing under subsection (a) the Administrator shall
focus on the following:
(1) Monitoring and automatically reporting air turbulence
events.
(2) Providing space-based multilateration surveillance.
(3) Identifying global positioning system (GPS) and global
navigation satellite system (GNSS) disruptions affecting air
traffic services and assessing the impact of such events on the
safety of air traffic and the National Airspace System.
(4) Evaluating the feasibility of implementing and using
aviation safety technologies and systems using space-based
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the research and
development under subsection (a) and the activities researched pursuant
to subsection (b).
SEC. 207. AVIATION WEATHER TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.
(a) Review.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
shall conduct a review of current and planned research, modeling, and
technology capabilities that have the potential to more accurately
detect and predict weather impacts to aviation, including for unmanned
aircraft systems and advanced air mobility operations, inform how
advanced predictive models can enhance aviation operations, and
increase national airspace system safety and efficiency.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of
the review conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 208. AIR TRAFFIC SURFACE OPERATIONS SAFETY.
(a) Research.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator
of NASA and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall
continue to carry out research on technologies and operations to
enhance air traffic surface operations safety.
(b) Requirements.--The research program under subsection (a) shall
examine the following:
(1) The safety of current air traffic control operations
related to air traffic surface operations.
(2) Emerging in-cockpit technologies to enhance ground
situational awareness.
(3) Emerging technologies to enhance air traffic control
situational awareness.
(4) Air traffic surface operations safety for diverse
advanced air mobility operations.
(5) Safety and operational data needed to inform current
and future safety programs on advanced air mobility vehicles.
(6) Economic benefits of utilizing existing airport
infrastructure for use in advanced air mobility operations.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the research carried out
under this section, including regarding the transition into operational
use of such research.
SEC. 209. AIRPORT AND AIRFIELD PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 744 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-
254; 49 U.S.C. 44505 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``durable airfield
pavements.'' and inserting ``resilient and sustainable airfield
and vertiport pavements; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) develop sustainability and resiliency guidelines to
improve long-term pavement performance and reduce carbon
emissions.''.
SEC. 210. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE
LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Review.--The Administrator shall conduct a review of current
and planned artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies
to improve airport efficiency and safety.
(b) Summaries.--The review conducted under subsection (a) shall
include examination of the application of artificial intelligence and
machine learning technologies to the following:
(1) Jet bridges.
(2) Airport service vehicles on airport movement areas.
(3) Aircraft taxi.
(4) Any other areas the Administrator determines necessary
to help improve airport efficiency and safety.
(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of
the review conducted under subsection (a). The report shall also
include an examination of China's domestic application of artificial
intelligence and machine learning technologies identified under
subsection (b).
SEC. 211. RESEARCH PLAN FOR COMMERCIAL SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of NASA
and industry, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
comprehensive research plan to build on existing research and
development activities and identify any further research and
development needed to inform the development of Federal and
international policies, regulations, standards, and recommended
practices relating to the certification and safe and efficient
operation of civil supersonic aircraft and supersonic overland flight.
SEC. 212. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct research,
engineering, and development related to the effective and efficient use
and management of radio frequency spectrum in the civil aviation
domain, including for aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced
air mobility. Such research, engineering, and development shall, at a
minimum, address the following:
(1) How reallocation or repurposing of radio frequency
spectrum adjacent to spectrum allocated for communication,
navigation, and surveillance may impact the safety of civil
aviation.
(2) The effectiveness of measures to identify risks,
protect, and mitigate against spectrum interference in
frequency bands used in civil and commercial aviation
operations to ensure public safety.
(3) The implications, including risks, of new or emerging
technologies or other factors on the environment for radio
frequency spectrum interference.
(4) How various new or emerging technologies may enable
improvements in the prevention of, mitigation of, or resilience
to interference, including the ability to sense the spectrum
environment and dynamically change frequency to ensure
resilient operations.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of
the research, engineering, and development conducted under subsection
(a).
SEC. 213. AVIATION STRUCTURES, MATERIALS, AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--Using the amounts available under section 48102(a)
of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator, in coordination
with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, shall carry out a research and development program for
advancing aviation structures, materials, and manufacturing for the
safe use in and on aircraft.
(b) Inclusion.--The program under subsection (a) shall, to the
extent practicable, include research and development relating to the
following:
(1) Metallic and non-metallic based additive materials and
processes, composites, and other advanced materials.
(2) Process development for the development of design and
manufacturing standards for aviation structures, materials, and
additive manufacturing.
(3) Improving certification efficiency of aviation
structures, materials, and additively manufactured aviation
products and components.
(4) Evaluating long-term material and structural behavior
and associated maintenance, including support for fatigue life
determination, structural changes related to fatigue, thermal,
corrosive environments, and expected maintenance of such
materials, including recommended repair techniques.
(5) Partnering with commercial entities to mature and
certify, as appropriate, the following capabilities for use in
aircraft manufacturing:
(A) Additive manufacturing, including large-scale
additive manufacturing.
(B) Aviation structures.
(C) Advanced materials capabilities, including the
development and qualification of new material
chemistries.
(6) Inspection and quality assurance technologies for use
with complex geometries enabled by advanced manufacturing
methods.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings of the
research under subsection (a).
SEC. 214. RESEARCH PLAN ON THE REMOTE TOWER PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive plan for research,
development, testing, and evaluation needed to mature remote tower
technology and provide a strategic roadmap to support standards
development, validation, and operational certification of such
technology.
(b) Considerations.--As part of the plan required under subsection
(a), the Administrator should consider the use of remote tower
technologies for advanced air mobility operations.
SEC. 215. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING.
(a) Research.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, the Administrator shall carry out a research program to
evaluate opportunities to modernize, enhance, and streamline training
time to become a Certified Professional Controller.
(b) Requirements.--The research under subsection (a) shall--
(1) assess the use of advanced technologies, such as
artificial intelligence, machine learning, adaptive computer-
based simulation, virtual reality, or augmented reality, to
enhance controller knowledge retention, improve performance,
and improve the effectiveness of training time;
(2) develop a timeline to deploy proven advanced
technologies and associated processes for accreditation in
training programs and training facilities within the national
airspace system; and
(3) include collaboration with labor organizations and
other stakeholders.
(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings of the
research under subsection (a).
SEC. 216. REPORT ON AVIATION CYBERSECURITY DIRECTIVES.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the status of the FAA's implementation of section
2111 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law
114-190; 49 U.S.C. 44903 note; relating to the development of a
comprehensive and strategic aviation cybersecurity framework and
establishment of a research and development plan to mitigate
cybersecurity risks in the National Airspace System). The report, at
minimum, shall include the following:
(1) A description of the FAA's progress in developing,
implementing, and updating such framework.
(2) A description of prioritized research and development
activities for the most needed improvements, with target dates,
to safeguard the National Airspace System.
(3) An explanation for any delays or challenges in so
implementing such section.
SEC. 217. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING COLLABORATIONS.
Nothing in this Act may be construed as modifying or limiting
existing collaborations, or limiting potential engagement on future
collaborations, between the Administrator, stakeholders, and labor
organizations, including the exclusive bargaining representative of air
traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United
States Code, pertaining to Federal Aviation Administration research,
development, demonstration, and testing activities.
SEC. 218. TURBULENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, the Administrator, in collaboration with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
and in consultation with the Administrator of NASA, shall carry out
applied research and development to--
(1) enhance the monitoring and understanding of severe
turbulence, including clear-air turbulence; and
(2) inform the development of measures to mitigate safety
impacts on crew and the flying public that may result from
severe turbulence.
(b) Research and Development Activities.--In conducting the
research and development on severe turbulence in accordance with
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
(1) establish processes and procedures for comprehensive
and systematic data collection through both instrumentation and
pilot reporting, of severe turbulence, including clear-air
turbulence;
(2) establish measures for storing and managing such data
collection;
(3) support measures for monitoring and characterizing
incidents of severe turbulence;
(4) consider relevant existing research and development
from other entities, including Federal departments and
agencies, academia, and the private sector; and
(5) carry out research and development--
(A) to understand the impacts of climate change and
other factors on the nature of turbulence, including
severe turbulence and clear-air turbulence;
(B) to enhance turbulence forecasts for flight
planning and execution, seasonal predictions for
schedule and route-planning, and long-term projections
of severe turbulence, including clear-air turbulence;
and
(C) on other subject matters areas related to
severe turbulence, as determined by the Administrator;
and
(6) support the effective transition of the results of
research and development to operations, where appropriate.
(c) No Duplication.--The Administrator shall ensure that research
and development activities under this section do not duplicate other
Federal programs relating to turbulence.
(d) Turbulence Data.--
(1) Commercial providers.--In conducting research and
development activities under subsection (b), the Administrator
may enter into agreements with commercial providers for the
following:
(A) The purchase of turbulence data.
(B) The placement on aircraft of instruments
relevant to understanding and monitoring turbulence.
(2) Data access.--The Administrator shall make the data
collected pursuant to subsection (b) widely available and
accessible to the scientific research, user, and stakeholder
communities, including the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to the greatest extent
practicable and in accordance with Federal Aviation
Administration data management policies.
(e) Report on Turbulence Research.--Not later than 15 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in
collaboration with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report that--
(1) details the activities conducted under this section,
including how the research and development activities under
subsection (b) have contributed to the goals specified in
subsection (a);
(2) assesses the current state of scientific understanding
of the causes, occurrence rates, and past and projected future
trends in occurrence rates of severe turbulence, including
clear-air turbulence;
(3) describes the processes and procedures for collecting,
storing, and managing, data in pursuant to subsection (b);
(4) assesses--
(A) the use of commercial providers pursuant to
subsection (d)(1); and
(B) the need for any future Federal Government
collection or procurement of data and instruments
related to turbulence, including an assessment of
costs;
(5) describes how such data will be made available to the
scientific research, user, and stakeholder communities; and
(6) identifies future research and development needed to
inform the development of measures to predict and mitigate the
safety impacts that may result from severe turbulence,
including clear-air turbulence.
SEC. 219. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall carry out research,
development, testing, evaluation, and demonstration programs for low-
carbon alternative aviation fuels, which may include next-generation
feedstocks, biofuels, and bioderived chemicals.
(b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall collaborate with
Federal agencies, industry stakeholders, research institutions, and
other relevant stakeholders, to accelerate the research, development,
testing, evaluation, and demonstrations programs described in
subsection (a) and facilitate United States sustainability and
competitiveness in aviation.
SEC. 220. LIMITATION.
None of the funds authorized in this Act may be used to conduct
research, develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a
policy, program, order, or contract of any kind with the Chinese
Communist Party or any Chinese-owned entity unless such activities are
specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of
this Act.
Union Calendar No. 110
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3559
[Report No. 118-139, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and
development, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 11, 2023
Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with an
amendment
July 11, 2023
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed