108th Congress > House > Vote 590
Clerk session vote number: 592
Description: Flight 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act
Bill summary: Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act -
Title I: Reauthorizations; FAA Management
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(Sec. 101) Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY 2004 through 2006 for: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including the Airport Improvement Program (earmarking amounts for certain administrative-related expenses) and the Airway Facilities Improvement Program; (2) specified FAA aviation research and development (R&D),
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as well as engineering, projects; and (3) other specified aviation programs.
(Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the FAA to report biannually to specified congressional committees on the ten largest air navigation facilities and equipment programs, including any changes in the budget for such programs, the program schedule, and technical risks associated with the programs.
(Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator of the FAA, in conjunction with the submission of the U.S. budget for FY 2004, to report to specified congressional committees on the overall air traffic controller staffing plan, including strategies to address anticipated retirement and replacement of air traffic controllers.
(Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish an Air Traffic Services Committee to: (1) review, approve, and monitor the strategic plan for the air traffic control system; (2) review and approve methods to accelerate air traffic control modernization and improvements in aviation safety related to air traffic control, including procurements of air traffic control equipment; (3) review operational functions of the air traffic control system; (4) review and approve FAA management of the air traffic control system; and (5) review and approve the FAA's budget as it relates to the air traffic control system. Provides for the transition of members of the Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the Management Advisory Council to the Air Traffic Services Committee.
(Sec. 107) Changes certain responsibilities the FAA Administrator may delegate to the Chief Operating Officer: (1) from developing a strategic plan for the air traffic control system to implementing the plan; and (2) from reviewing FAA operational functions to overseeing the system's day-to-day operational functions.
(Sec. 108) Applies certain employee whistle-blower protection requirements to the FAA's acquisition management system.
Title II: Airport Development -
(Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to identify certain airports with delays that significantly affect the national air transportation system. Makes an airport that has been recommended for the construction or reconfiguration of runways, and that does not take action to initiate a planning and environmental assessment process for the construction or reconfiguration of such runways, ineligible for: (1) Federal airport improvement planning and expansion funds; and (2) approval of a passenger facility fee for a specified period of time.
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, in response to a petition from an airport sponsor, or in the case of a congested airport covered by the FAA's Airport Capacity Benchmarks study, to designate an airport development project as a national capacity project if the Secretary determines that the designated project will significantly enhance the capacity of the national air transportation system.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement an expedited, coordinated environmental review process for national capacity projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make airport improvement grants to States and units of local government for land use compatibility plans for national capacity projects. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to consider prescribing flight procedures to avoid or minimize potentially significant adverse noise impacts of a national capacity project that involves the construction of new runways or the reconfiguration of existing runways during the environmental planning process.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a five-year program for environmental review at national capacity projects. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to hire additional environmental specialists and attorneys to process environmental impact statements in connection with airport construction projects and to serve as project coordinators and environmental impact team members with respect to national capacity projects.
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the categorical exclusions currently recognized, and provide a list of proposed additional categorical exclusions, from the requirement that an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement be prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for airport projects. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to include in such list other projects he or she determines should be categorically excluded in order to ensure that Department of Transportation (DOT) environmental staff resources are not diverted to lower priority tasks, and are available to expedite the environmental reviews of airport capacity enhancement projects at congested airports.
(Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary of Transportation: (1) within 30 days after identifying an airport capacity enhancement project at a congested airport, to publish a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on whether reasonable alternatives to the project exist; and (2) within 90 days after the comment period ends, to determine whether reasonable alternatives do exist. Makes such a determination binding on all persons, including Federal and State agencies, acting under or applying Federal laws when considering the availability of alternatives to the project. Exempts from these requirements: (1) any alternatives analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; or (2) a project at an airport whose sponsor requests, in writing, that these requirements not apply.
(Sec. 204) Increases from 34 to 35 percent of amounts available to the discretionary fund the apportioment the Secretary of Transportation shall use for certain grants for airport noise compatibility planning for a national capacity project, and for noise compatibility programs (as under current law). Requires the Secretary of Transportation to use at least that amount for noise mitigation projects approved in an environmental record of decision for an airport development project that has been designated as a national capacity project.
(Sec. 205) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide to specified congressional committees a list of: (1) planned air traffic and airport-capacity projects at congested Airport Capacity Benchmark airports the completion of which will substantially relieve congestion at such airports; and (2) options for expanding capacity at eight such airports at which the most severe delays are occurring.
(Sec. 206) Sets forth requirements authorizing an airport sponsor to award a design-build contract (for both design and construction of a project by a contractor) for a national capacity project.
(Sec. 207) Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to: (1) preclude the application of any provision of this Act to the State of Illinois or any other sponsor of a new airport proposed to be constructed in the State of Illinois; or (2) preempt the authority of the Governor of Illinois as of August 1, 2001, to approve or disapprove airport development projects.
(Sec. 209) Revises requirements for the passenger facility fee program. Establishes a pilot program to test alternative procedures for authorizing small airports to impose passenger facility fees.
(Sec. 210) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on the status of construction of each major runway project undertaken at the largest 40 commercial airports in terms of annual enplanements.
(Sec. 211) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to study the feasibility of developing a program in which prospective home buyers of property located in the vicinity of an airport could be notified of information derived from noise exposure maps that may affect the use and enjoyment of the property. Requires the FAA to make noise exposure maps available to the public via the Internet.
(Sec. 212) Prohibits the Secretaries of Transportation or of Homeland Security from requiring airport sponsors to provide building construction, maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space in airport sponsor-owned buildings to the FAA or the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) without cost for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation, aviation security, or weather reporting.
(Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to apportion airport improvement funds to certain airports with declining boardings for FY 2004 in the same amount apportioned to such airports for FY 2002. Increases the Government's share of allowable costs for a grant made in FY 2004 for an airport improvement project from 90 percent to not more than 95 percent.
(Sec. 214) Requires that an agreement between the Government and a qualified entity allowing the entity to operate an airport facility relieves the Government from any liability arising out of, or related to, acts or omissions of entity employees in operating such facility.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006 for the air traffic control contract program. Increases the maximum Federal share of costs for the construction of an air traffic control tower from $1.1 million to $1.5 million.
(Sec. 215) Includes within the definition of "public agency" for purposes of the administration of airport improvement funds the Department of the Interior with respect to an airport owned by the Department that is required to be maintained for commercial aviation safety at a remote location.
(Sec. 216) Revises certain airport funding requirements to authorize a sponsor of a nonprimary airport (including an airport in Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands) to make an agreement with the Secretary waiving the sponsor's claim to any part of airport improvement funds apportioned for the airport if the Secretary agrees to make the waived amount available for a grant for another public-use airport in the same State or geographical area. Authorizes the Secretary to decide that costs of revenue producing aeronautical support facilities (including fuel farms and hangars) are allowable costs for an airport development project at a nonprimary airport and for which the Government's share is paid only with airport improvement funds apportioned to the airport's sponsor if the Secretary of Transportation determines that the airport's sponsor has made adequate provision for financing airside needs of the airport.
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make available to a sponsor of a nonprimary commercial service airport or reliever airport any part of airport improvement funds apportioned to the sponsor for the fiscal year for the cost of terminal development at the airport.
Increases from three percent to 3.5 percent the mandatory annual apportionment of airport improvement amounts to sponsors of cargo only airports.
Requires the Secretary of Transportation, in selecting an airport improvement project for a discretionary grant to preserve and enhance capacity, safety, and security at primary and reliever airports to consider the project's ability to foster U.S. competitiveness in securing global air cargo activity at a U.S. airport.
Revises one of the conditions on the use of certain airport development funds to repay money borrowed and used to pay the costs for terminal development at the airport. States that such funds shall be available only if, among other things, they will not be used for additional terminal development projects for at least one year (currently, three years) beginning on the date the funds are used to repay the borrowed money.
(Sec. 217) Provides for an increase in the Government's share of allowable costs of an airport improvement project approved after September 30, 2001, at an airport that has less than .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings at all commercial service airports and that is located in a State containing unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands of more than five percent of the total area of all lands in the State. Requires the Government's share of such costs to be increased by the same ratio as the basic share of allowable costs of a project divided into the increased (Public Lands States) share of allowable costs of a project as shown on documents of the FAA dated August 3, 1979, at airports for which the general share was 80 percent on August 3, 1979, provided certain requirements are met. Limits the Government's share of costs to no more than 93.75 percent or the highest percentage Government share for any such project as determined by a specified formula.
(Sec. 218) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot grant program to support a State's purchase of development rights associated with, or directly affecting the use of, privately owned public use airports located in the State. Sets forth certain grant requirements.
(Sec. 219) Requires the Administrator of the FAA to give priority consideration to a letter of intent application for funding submitted by the City of Gary, Indiana, or the State of Indiana, for the extension of the main runway at the Gary/Chicago Airport.
(Sec. 220) Prohibits a public agency (a State, tax-supported organization, or Indian tribe) from closing an airport listed in the national plan of integrated airport systems without providing notice to the Administrator of the FAA at least 30 days prior to the closure. Sets forth a civil penalty for violation of the requirements of this section.
(Sec. 221) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of consolidating the Anchorage Terminal Radar Approach Control and the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center at the existing Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center facility.
Title III: Airline Service Development - Subtitle A: Program Enhancements -
(Sec. 301) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to take certain steps regarding flight reductions at severely congested airports, including reduction of overscheduling during hours of peak operation and flight delays during hours of peak operation and of inclement weather.
(Sec. 302) Extends for three years the small community air service development pilot program.
(Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to specified congressional committees on competition and airline access problems at large and medium hub airports. Prescribes competition disclosure requirements for such airports.
(Sec. 305) Directs the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, in conjunction with DOT, to study the feasibility of housing the gates used by all air carriers providing shuttle service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the same terminal.
(Sec. 306) Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to give favorable consideration to waiving certain terms and conditions in cases where remaining carriers operate additional flights to accommodate passengers whose service was suspended, interrupted, or discontinued over routes located in isolated areas that are unusually dependent on air transportation.
Subtitle B: Small Community and Rural Air Service Revitalization -
(Sec. 351) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through FY 2007 for the essential air service program.
(Sec. 352) Establishes a marketing incentive program to develop and implement through grants a marketing plan to enable essential air service communities to increase passenger boardings and the level of passenger usage of its airport facilities. Requires not less than 25 percent of the publicly financed costs associated with the marketing plan to come from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through FY 2006.
(Sec. 353) Sets forth other pilot program requirements for improving service to communities receiving essential air service assistance. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to increase the rates of compensation to essential air service providers that experience significantly increased costs (ten percent or more) for providing such service without regard to any agreements or requirements relating to the renegotiation of contracts.
(Sec. 355) Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from terminating an essential air service subsidy before 2004 for air service to a community whose ridership for 2000 was sufficient to keep the per passenger subsidy below a specified limitation and that has received notice that its subsidy will be terminated during 2003 because decreased ridership has caused the subsidy to exceed that limitation.
Subtitle C: Financial Improvement Effort and Executive Compensation Report -
(Sec. 371) Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report semiannually to Congress on measures being taken by air carriers engaged in air transportation and intrastate air transportation to reduce costs and to improve their earnings and profits and balance sheets, including a statement of total compensation paid by an air carrier to each officer or employee and the terms and value of any stock options awarded to such officer.
Title IV: Aviation Security -
(Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to study and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the aviation security system.
(Sec. 402) Authorizes the establishment of an Aviation Security Capital Fund to provide financial assistance to airport sponsors to defray capital investment in transportation security at airport facilities.
(Sec. 403) Excludes from the meaning of airport development, and makes ineligible for airport improvement funding, the replacement by an airport sponsor or operator of a public-use airport of baggage conveyor systems, and reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, at such airports in order to install bulk explosive detection devices.
(Sec. 404) Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to exempt armed forces charter flights from certain aviation security program requirements for charter air carriers with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more. Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish security procedures for armed forces charter flights.
(Sec. 405) Arming Cargo Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that flight deck crew members of a cargo aircraft should be armed with a firearm and taser to defend it against an attack by terrorists that could use the aircraft as a weapon of mass destruction or for other terrorist purposes.
Authorizes the training and arming of flight deck crew members (pilots) of all-cargo air transportation flights to prevent acts of criminal violence or air piracy.
(Sec. 407) Directs the Administrator of the FAA, if an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) (a no fly zone around Washington, DC, extended from the current 15-mile radius up to 38 miles) is established, to report to specified congressional committees explaining the need for it.
(Sec. 408) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to specified congressional committees on the potential impact of the TSA's proposed Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening system (CAPPS II) on the privacy and civil liberties of U.S. citizens.
(Sec. 409) Repeals the prohibition against the use of certain funds to recruit or hire personnel into the TSA in excess of 45,000 full-time permanent positions.
(Sec. 410) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to issue regulations ensuring that foreign repair stations that repair and maintain aircraft meet the same level of safety required of domestic repair stations. Requires foreign repair stations to meet specific standards as a condition of being certified to work on U.S. registered aircraft.
Requires the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security to issue final regulations ensuring the security of foreign and domestic repair stations.
Title V: Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 501) Extends the Secretary's authority to issue war risk insurance through December 31, 2006.
(Sec. 502) Authorizes and makes permanent a program under which the Secretary makes grants of up to $5 million to project sponsors to improve aviation safety and enhance mobility of the Nation's air transportation system by encouraging nonfederal investment in critical air traffic control facilities and equipment. Sets the Federal share of costs at 33 percent.
(Sec. 503) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to deny certification to any person: (1) who knowingly, and with intent to defraud, participates in an activity relating to counterfeit or fraudulently represented aviation parts or materials; or (2) whose certificate is revoked because such person was convicted of participating in such activity.
(Sec. 504) Revises the procurement duties and powers of the Administrator of the FAA.
(Sec. 506) Increases both civil and administrative penalties for persons who violate certain requirements of Federal transportation law.
(Sec. 507) Sets forth requirements regarding apportionment of airport improvement funds.
Revises certain airport safety data collection requirements to authorize the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with, or provide a grant from airport improvement funds to, a private company or entity for the collection of airport safety data. Sets the Federal share of cost for data collection at 100 percent.
States that the noise exposure map an airport operator may submit to the Secretary may describe estimated aircraft operations during a forecast year that is at least five years in the future.
Prohibits collection of a passenger facility fee from a passenger enplaning at an airport if the passenger did not pay for the air transportation because of charter arrangements and payment by DOD.
(Sec. 508) Makes eligible for airport development project funds a sponsor or operator of a public-use airport located in an air quality nonattainment or maintenance area that undertakes: (1) work necessary to construct or modify airport facilities to provide low-emission fuel systems, gate electrification, and other related air quality improvements at the airport; or (2) a project for the acquisition or conversion of airport-owned vehicles and ground support equipment to low-emission technology. Requires the project also to result in an airport receiving appropriate emission credits. Defines "low-emission technology" to mean technology: (1) for new vehicles and equipment whose emission performance is best achievable under standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and (2) that relies exclusively on alternative fuels that are substantially non-petroleum based (but not excluding hybrid systems).
Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the EPA to agree jointly on how to assure that airport sponsors receive appropriate emission credits for carrying out air quality projects at certain airports.
Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program under which airport sponsors may use airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and program funds to retrofit existing eligible airport ground support equipment that burns conventional fuels to achieve lower emissions utilizing emission control technologies certified or verified by the EPA.
(Sec. 509) Revises the definition of "eligible airport-related project" financed through the imposition by the Secretary of a passenger facility fee to include a project for the acquisition or conversion of ground support equipment or airport-owned vehicles used at a commercial service airport with, or to, low-emission technology or cleaner burning conventional fuels, or the retrofitting of such equipment or vehicles powered by a diesel or gasoline engine with emission control technologies certified by the EPA to reduce emissions, provided the airport is located in an air quality nonattainment or maintenance area, and provided such project will result in an airport's receiving appropriate emission credits.
(Sec. 510) Directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Secretaries of Defense, the Interior, and Homeland Security to facilitate the sale of aircraft fuel on Midway Island so that sales revenue can be used to operate Midway Island Airport in accordance with FAA airport standards.
(Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary to develop and carry out a program to expand and improve the safety, efficiency, and security of air traffic control services provided in the Gulf of Mexico, including aviation-related navigational, low altitude communications and surveillance, and weather services in the area. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary to use certain funds to carry out and expand the Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative.
(Sec. 513) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to transmit to specified congressional committees an action plan: (1) to provide adequate oversight of repair stations and ensure that FAA-approved repair stations outside the United States are subject to the same level of oversight and quality control as those located in the United States; and (2) for addressing problems with the Air Transportation Oversight System.
(Sec. 514) Establishes in the DOT the position of National Small Community Air Service Ombudsman, who shall develop strategies for retaining and enhancing the air service provided to small U.S. communities.
(Sec. 515) Establishes the National Commission on Small Community Air Service, which shall study and report to Congress and the President on the challenges faced by small U.S. communities with respect to retaining and enhancing their scheduled commercial air service, including whether existing Federal programs charged with helping small communities are adequate. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 516) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to establish standards for cabin crew training, consistent with the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the issuance of certification.
(Sec. 517) Authorizes the Secretary to offer to provide war and terrorism insurance to aircraft manufacturers for loss or damage arising from operation of an American aircraft in excess of $50 million in the aggregate or in excess of such other amounts of available primary insurance.
(Sec. 518) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program for the installation, operation, and maintenance of ground-based precision navigational aids for terrain-challenged airports. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 519) Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretaries of Energy and of Defense, to establish a program to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental performance of standby power systems at FAA sites, including the implementation of fuel cell technology. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008.
(Sec. 520) Declares that the requirement that the Administrator of the FAA, in establishing a schedule of new fees, ensure that such fees are reasonably related to the FAA's costs of providing the service applies to, and has been in effect with respect to, the authority of the Administrator with respect to the Interim Final Rule and Final Rule issued on March 30, 2000, and August 13, 2001, respectively.
(Sec. 521) Expresses the sense of the Senate that U.S. air carriers should: (1) allow active duty members of the Armed Forces to purchase tickets, on a space-available basis, for the lowest fares offered for flights; and (2) offer flexible terms that allow them to purchase, modify, or cancel tickets without time restrictions, fees, or penalties.
(Sec. 522) Revises waiting period and related requirements for providers to aliens of training in the operation of certain aircraft. Reduces the waiting period from 45 to 30 days, and allows classroom instruction during such period. Repeals the weight limitation of the aircraft for which an individual would be trained. Changes the oversight officer specified to receive required notifications from the Attorney General to the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security (Under Secretary).
Exempts from such requirements any alien individual holding a nonimmigrant visa who has earned an FAA type rating in an aircraft or has undergone type-specific training, or holds a current pilot's license or foreign equivalent commercial pilot's license permitting the person to fly an aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds, if the training provider has notified the Under Secretary that the individual has requested such training, and furnished that individual's visa information.
Requires the Under Secretary to notify immediately a training provider if an individual receiving training presents a risk to aviation or national security. Requires the provider to terminate such training immediately.
Directs the Under Secretary to require flight schools to conduct a security awareness program for flight school employees (including certified instructors who provide such instruction but are not flight school employees) to increase their awareness of suspicious circumstances and activities of individuals enrolling in or attending flight school.
Requires overseas U.S. Embassies and Consulates that possess fingerprint collection equipment to provide fingerprinting services to such aliens if the Under Secretary requires their fingerprinting, and to submit the fingerprints to the Under Secretary and any other appropriate agency.
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the flight school training requirements in reducing risks to aviation security and national security.
(Sec. 523) Authorizes the Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming to impose restrictions on, or prohibit, the operation of Stage 2 aircraft weighing less than 75,000 pounds (with reasonable exemptions for public health and safety) if the Board of the Airport and the Secretary of the Interior agree that Stage 3 aircraft technology represents a prudent and feasible technological advance which if implemented at such airport will result in a reduction in noise at Grand Teton National Park.
(Sec. 524) Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from providing essential air service subsidies to a place in the contiguous 48 States that: (1) is less than 70 highway miles from the nearest hub airport; or (2) requires a rate of subsidy per passenger in excess of $200, unless such place is more than 210 highway miles from the nearest hub airport. Specifies requirements for the Secretary's calculation of the highway mileage of the most commonly used route between Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the nearest hub airport.
(Sec. 525) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to reimburse specified general aviation entities for security costs incurred and revenue lost as a result of the restrictions imposed by the Federal Government following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 526) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress on any actions that should be taken with respect to recommendations made by the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry on: (1) the travel agent arbiter program; and (2) the special box on tickets for agents to include their service fee charges.
(Sec. 527) Requires any U.S. air carrier that received a payment for passenger security and air carrier security fees it collected and paid to the TSA to pass through to any code-share partner the equivalent of that portion of the remittance attributable to passenger security fees paid and collected by that partner.
(Sec. 528) Amends Federal Transportation law to add to the definition of a U.S. citizen that is a corporation or association that such corporation or association is under the actual control of U.S. citizens.
(Sec. 529) Amends Federal transportation law with respect to the Secretary's authority to authorize a foreign civil aircraft permitted to navigate in the United States to provide air passenger or cargo commerce in the United States, subject to specified requirements. Declares that, for such purposes, eligible cargo taken on or off an aircraft at a place in Alaska in the course of its transportation by any combination of two or more air carriers or foreign air carriers in either direction between a place in the United States and a place outside the United States shall not be deemed to have broken its international journey in, be taken on in, or be destined for Alaska. (Thus precludes application of such authority to such an aircraft.)
Title VI: Second Century of Flight - Subtitle A: The Office Aerospace and Aviation Liaison -
(Sec. 621) Establishes within DOT an Office of Aerospace and Aviation Liaison which shall coordinate: (1) aviation and aeronautics research programs within the Federal Government with U.S. aviation and aeronautical firms; and (2) the development and utilization of new technologies to ensure that, when available, they are used to their fullest potential in aircraft and in the air traffic control system. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and 2005.
(Sec. 622) Establishes within the FAA a National Air Traffic Management System Development Office, which shall develop a next generation air traffic management system plan for the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2010.
(Sec. 623) Directs the Office of Aerospace and Aviation Liaison to report to specified congressional committees about market developments and government policies influencing the competitiveness of the U.S. jet transport aircraft industry.
(Sec. 624) Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from transferring certain air traffic control functions of the FAA to a private entity or public entity other than the U.S. Government. Exempts the FAA contract air traffic control tower program from this prohibition.
Subtitle B: Technical Programs -
(Sec. 641) Directs the Administrators of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the FAA to establish a joint program of competitive, merit-based grants for eligible institutions of higher education to increase the number of students studying toward and completing technical training programs, certificate programs, and associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees in fields related to aerospace and aviation safety. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
(Sec. 642) Requires the Administrators of NASA and the FAA to develop a joint student loan program for students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program leading to an advanced degree in an aerospace-related or aviation safety-related field of endeavor. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
Subtitle C: FAA Research, Engineering, and Development -
(Sec. 661) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to continue the program to consider awards, through grants or cooperative agreements, to nonprofit concrete and asphalt pavement research foundations to improve the design, construction, rehabilitation, and repair of rigid concrete airfield pavements to aid in the development of safer, more cost-effective, and more durable airfield pavements.
(Sec. 662) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to review and determine whether FAA standards used to determine the appropriate thickness for asphalt and concrete airfield pavements are in accordance with the FAA standard 20-year-life requirement using the most up-to-date available information on the life of airfield pavements. Requires the Administrator of the FAA to make appropriate adjustments to FAA standards for airfield pavements if they are not in accordance with that 20-year-life requirement.
(Sec. 663) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to arrange with the National Research Council for an assessment of the FAA's proposed wake turbulence R&D program. Requires a report to specified congressional committees containing the results of the assessment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
(Sec. 664) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to undertake the studies and analysis called for in the report of the National Research Council entitled "The Airliner Cabin Environment and the Health of Passengers and Crew".
(Sec. 665) Amends Federal transportation law to revise aviation safety policy to require the Administrator of the FAA to consider exercising leadership with the FAA's foreign counterparts in the International Civil Aviation Organization and its subsidiary organizations, and other international organizations and fora, and with the private sector to promote and achieve global improvements in the safety, efficiency, and environmental effect of air travel.
(Sec. 666) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to review and report to specified congressional committees on aviation and aeronautical safety, as well as research funding and technological actions in other countries, and how such activities might be utilized in the United States.
(Sec. 667) Directs the FAA to conduct research to promote the development of analytical tools to improve existing certification methods and to reduce the overall costs for the certification of new products.
(Sec. 668) Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to conduct a limited pilot program to provide operating incentives to users of the airspace for the deployment of new technologies, including technologies to facilitate expedited flight routing and sequencing of takeoffs and landings. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
(Sec. 669) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to develop a Center for Excellence focused on applied research and training on the durability and maintainability of advanced materials in transport airframe structures, including the use of polymeric composites in large transport aircraft. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
(Sec. 670) Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to issue certificates to design organizations that meet certain safety standards for the design and manufacture of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances.
Directs the Administration of the FAA to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the development and oversight of a system for certification of design organizations that ensures that the system meets the highest standards of safety. Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to commence issuance of design organization certificates to authorize design organizations to certify compliance with certain minimum safety standards.
Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to issue a type certificate for an aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller, or for an appliance based on a certification of compliance made by a certificated design organization.
Prohibits a person from violating a term of a design organization certificate.
(Sec. 671) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to study and report to specified congressional committees on ways to reduce aircraft noise and emissions and to increase aircraft fuel efficiency. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004.
Title VII: Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund Expenditure Authority -
(Sec. 701) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through October 1, 2006.
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Bill titles: To amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize programs for the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.; Aviation Streamlining Approval Process Act of 2003
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
