HR 3559 — FAA Research and Development Act of 2023

106 note).

SEC.

102.

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 under sections 44504, 44505, 44507, 44509, and 44511 through 44513 of such title, and to assess the implementation of section 48102(b)(2) of such title.

(a) Roadmap.--TheRoadmap.--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 withoutin adverselyexisting affectingand thefuture existingcertified pistonpiston- engine fleet.aircraft.

Such roadmap shallshall-- consider(1) identify activities to promoteaccelerate the development, testing, and certification of safe and lead-free fuel for use in general aviation aircraft, including requisite airport refueling infrastructure.infrastructure;

(b)and Partnership(2) Withconsider Privatethe Industry.--Thefeasibility Administratorof shallwidespread coordinateuse withof industrysuch regardingsafe research programs for mass production and distributionlead-free of unleaded aviation gasolinefuel forby marketnot viability,later andthan define2028. criteria to explore incentive programs to reduce lead emissions for communities in need.

(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.

(a)The In General.--The Administrator shall broadenconsider expanding the CLEEN program tounder includesection hydrogen47511 andof othertitle alternative49, aviationUnited fuelStates forCode, development, maturation, and testingbroadening ofeligibility certifiablefor continuous,the lowerCLEEN energy,program emission,to andnew noiseentrants (CLEEN)to aircraft,the engineaviation technologies,system. and fuels for civil airplanes.

(b) Scope.--Subsection (a) of section 47511 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``jet'';

and (2) by striking ``subsonic''.

STRATEGY ON HYDROGEN AVIATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

(1) The feasibility, opportunities, challenges, and pathways toward the potential and safe uses of hydrogen in aviation.

(2) The use of hydrogen in combinationaddition withto other research and development effortsefforts, forincluding electrification, operational efficiencies and other alternatives to traditional aviation fuel.

(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,may using amounts made available under section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, conduct research and development activities into the following:

(4) Risk mitigation measures for the use of such fuel in aircraft systems, including propulsion and storage systems.

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.

(a) Air Traffic Surveillance Over Oceans.--TheOceans.--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.

205.206.

(a) In General.--UsingGeneral.--Subject amountsto availablethe underavailability section 48102(a) of titleappropriations 49,for Unitedsuch Statespurpose, Code, the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the NASA, and in consultation with industry stakeholders, shall carry out research, development, demonstration, and testing of the use of air traffic Space-BasedSpace- Based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Surveillance-Broadcast Broadcast (ADS-B) data.

(b) Research Activities.--In carrying out the research, development, demonstration, and testing under subsection (a) the Administrator shall focus on the following:

(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 program under subsection (a) and the information obtained pursuant to the activities researched pursuant to subsection (b).

206.207.

(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.

207.208.

(a) Research.--TheResearch.--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.

(1) The safety of current air traffic control operations related to air traffic surface operations.

(6) Economic benefits of utilizing existing airport infrastructure for use in advanced air mobility operations.

208.209.

(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``durable airfield pavements.'' and inserting ``resilient and sustainable airfield and vertiport pavements;

209.210.

(4) FAAAny airother trafficareas controlthe operations.Administrator determines necessary to help improve airport efficiency and safety.

(5) Airport security.

(6) Any other areas the Administrator determines necessary to help improve airport efficiency and safety.

The report shall also include an examination of China's domestic application of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies identified under subsection (b).

210.211.

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 supportinform establishmentthe 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.

211.212.

(4) How various new or emerging technologies may enable improvements in the prevention of, mitigation of, or resilience to interference.interference, including the ability to sense the spectrum environment and dynamically change frequency to ensure resilient operations.

212.213.

(5) Partnering with commercial entities to mature and certify, as appropriate, metal additive manufacturing, including large-scale additive manufacturing, aviation structures, and advanced materials capabilities, including the developmentfollowing andcapabilities qualificationfor ofuse new material chemistries, to be used in theaircraft manufacturemanufacturing: of aircraft.

(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.

213.214.

214.215.

(a) Research.--UsingResearch.--Subject amountsto madethe availableavailability under section 48102(a) of titleappropriations 49,for Unitedsuch Statespurpose, Code, the Administrator shall carry out a research program to evaluate opportunities to modernize, enhance, and streamline training time to become a Certified Professional Controller.

and (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.system;

and (3) include collaboration with labor organizations and other stakeholders.

215.216.

(2) A description of prioritized research and development activities for the most needed improvementsimprovements, with target datesdates, to safeguard the National Airspace System.

<all>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