49 U.S.C. § 44704 — Type certificates, production certificates,

Page 1325 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 ‘‘(A) the application of such medical standards provides an appropriate and fair evaluation of an individual’s qualifications; and ‘‘(B) the individual understands the basis for de- termining medical qualifications. ‘‘(c) ADVICE FROM PRIVATE SECTOR GROUPS.—The Ad- ministrator shall establish a panel, which shall be com- prised of representatives of relevant nonprofit and not- for-profit general aviation pilot groups, aviation med- ical examiners, and other qualified medical experts, to advise the Administrator in carrying out the goals of the assessment required under this section. ‘‘(d) FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE.— Not later than 1 year after the issuance of the report by the Comptroller General pursuant to subsection (a)(2), the Administrator shall take appropriate actions to re- spond to such report.’’ REEXAMINATION OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE Pub. L. 112–153, § 5, as added by Pub. L. 118–63, title VIII, § 801, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1320, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall provide timely, written notification to an individual subject to a reexamination of an airman certificate issued under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code. ‘‘(b) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—In providing notifica- tion under subsection (a), the Administrator shall in- form the individual— ‘‘(1) of the nature of the reexamination and the spe- cific activity on which the reexamination is neces- sitated; ‘‘(2) that the reexamination shall occur within 1 year from the date of the notice provided by the Ad- ministrator, however, if the reexamination is not conducted within 30 days, the Administrator may re- strict passenger carrying operations; ‘‘(3) that if such reexamination is not conducted after 1 year from date of notice, the airman certifi- cate of the individual may be suspended or revoked; and ‘‘(4) when, as determined by the Administrator, an oral or written response to the notification from the Administrator is not required. ‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—Nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from reexamining a certificate hold- er if the Administrator has reasonable grounds— ‘‘(1) to establish that an airman may not be quali- fied to exercise the privileges of a certificate or rat- ing based upon an act or omission committed by the airman while exercising such privileges or performing ancillary duties associated with the exercise of such privileges; or ‘‘(2) to demonstrate that the airman obtained such a certificate or rating through fraudulent means or through an examination that was inadequate to es- tablish the qualifications of an airman. ‘‘(d) STANDARD OF REVIEW.—An order issued by the Administrator to amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman certificate after reexamination of the airman is subject to the standard of review provided for under section 2 of this Act [Pub. L. 112–153, set out as a note above].’’ IMPROVED PILOT LICENSES Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 321, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 71, which related to the issuance by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration of improved pilot licenses and required reports to Congress, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(j)(2), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1056. Pub. L. 108–458, title IV, § 4022, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3723, which related to the issuance of improved pilot li- censes, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(j)(1), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1056. CREDITING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FLIGHT TIME Pub. L. 106–424, § 14, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1888, pro- vided that: ‘‘In determining whether an individual meets the aeronautical experience requirements im- posed under section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, for an airman certificate or rating, the Secretary of Transportation shall take into account any time spent by that individual operating a public aircraft as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code, if that aircraft is— ‘‘(1) identifiable by category and class; and ‘‘(2) used in law enforcement activities.’’ § 44704. Type certificates, production certificates, airworthiness certificates, and design and production organization certificates (a) TYPE CERTIFICATES.— (1) ISSUANCE, INVESTIGATIONS, AND TESTS.— The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a type certificate for an aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller, or for an appliance specified under paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection when the Adminis- trator finds that the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance is properly designed and manufactured, performs properly, and meets the regulations and minimum standards prescribed under section 44701(a) of this title. On receiving an application for a type certifi- cate, the Administrator shall investigate the application and may conduct a hearing. The Administrator shall make, or require the ap- plicant to make, tests the Administrator con- siders necessary in the interest of safety. (2) SPECIFICATIONS.—The Administrator may— (A) specify in regulations those appliances that reasonably require a type certificate in the interest of safety; (B) include in a type certificate terms re- quired in the interest of safety; and (C) record on the certificate a numerical specification of the essential factors related to the performance of the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller for which the certificate is issued. (3) SPECIAL RULES FOR NEW AIRCRAFT AND AP- PLIANCES.—Except as provided in paragraph (4), if the holder of a type certificate agrees to permit another person to use the certificate to manufacture a new aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, the holder shall pro- vide the other person with written evidence, in a form acceptable to the Administrator, of that agreement. Such other person may manu- facture a new aircraft, aircraft engine, pro- peller, or appliance based on a type certificate only if such other person is the holder of the type certificate or has permission from the holder. (4) LIMITATION FOR AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURED BEFORE AUGUST 5, 2004.—Paragraph (3) shall not apply to a person who began the manufacture of an aircraft before August 5, 2004, and who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Ad- ministrator that such manufacture began be- fore August 5, 2004, if the name of the holder of the type certificate for the aircraft does not appear on the airworthiness certificate or identification plate of the aircraft. The holder of the type certificate for the aircraft shall not be responsible for the continued airworthi- ness of the aircraft. A person may invoke the exception provided by this paragraph with re- gard to the manufacture of only one aircraft. Page 1326 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 (5) RELEASE OF DATA.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may make available upon request, to a per- son seeking to maintain the airworthiness or develop product improvements of an air- craft, engine, propeller, or appliance, engi- neering data in the possession of the Admin- istration relating to a type certificate or a supplemental type certificate for such air- craft, engine, propeller, or appliance, with- out the consent of the owner of record, if the Administrator determines that— (i) the certificate containing the re- quested data has been inactive for 3 or more years, except that the Administrator may reduce this time if required to address an unsafe condition associated with the product; (ii) after using due diligence, the Admin- istrator is unable to find the owner of record, or the owner of record’s heir, of the type certificate or supplemental type cer- tificate; and (iii) making such data available will en- hance aviation safety. (B) ENGINEERING DATA DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘engineering data’’ as used with respect to an aircraft, engine, pro- peller, or appliance means type design draw- ing and specifications for the entire aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance or change to the aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance, including the original design data, and any associated supplier data for individual parts or components approved as part of the par- ticular certificate for the aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance. (C) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN DATA.—The Administrator shall maintain engineering data in the possession of the Administration relating to a type certificate or a supple- mental type certificate that has been inac- tive for 3 or more years. (6) SUBMISSION OF DATA.—When an applicant submits design data to the Administrator for a finding of compliance as part of an application for a type certificate, the applicant shall cer- tify to the Administrator that— (A) the submitted design data dem- onstrates compliance with the applicable airworthiness standards; and (B) any airworthiness standards not com- plied with are compensated for by factors that provide an equivalent level of safety, as agreed upon by the Administrator. (b) SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATES.— (1) ISSUANCE.—The Administrator may issue a type certificate designated as a supple- mental type certificate for a change to an air- craft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance. (2) CONTENTS.—A supplemental type certifi- cate issued under paragraph (1) shall consist of the change to the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance with respect to the pre- viously issued type certificate for the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance. (3) REQUIREMENT.—If the holder of a supple- mental type certificate agrees to permit an- other person to use the certificate to modify an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appli- ance, the holder shall provide the other person with written evidence, in a form acceptable to the Administrator, of that agreement. A per- son may change an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance based on a supple- mental type certificate only if the person re- questing the change is the holder of the sup- plemental type certificate or has permission from the holder to make the change. (c) PRODUCTION CERTIFICATES.—The Adminis- trator shall issue a production certificate au- thorizing the production of a duplicate of an air- craft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance for which a type certificate has been issued when the Administrator finds the duplicate will con- form to the certificate. On receiving an applica- tion, the Administrator shall inspect, and may require testing of, a duplicate to ensure that it conforms to the requirements of the certificate. The Administrator may include in a production certificate terms required in the interest of safe- ty. (d) AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES.—(1) The reg- istered owner of an aircraft may apply to the Administrator for an airworthiness certificate for the aircraft. The Administrator shall issue an airworthiness certificate when the Adminis- trator finds that the aircraft conforms to its type certificate and, after inspection, is in con- dition for safe operation. The Administrator shall register each airworthiness certificate and may include appropriate information in the cer- tificate. The certificate number or other indi- vidual designation the Administrator requires shall be displayed on the aircraft. The Adminis- trator may include in an airworthiness certifi- cate terms required in the interest of safety. (2) A person applying for the issuance or re- newal of an airworthiness certificate for an air- craft for which ownership has not been recorded under section 44107 or 44110 of this title must submit with the application information related to the ownership of the aircraft the Adminis- trator decides is necessary to identify each per- son having a property interest in the aircraft and the kind and extent of the interest. (3) NONCONFORMITY WITH APPROVED TYPE DE- SIGN.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the re- quirements of paragraph (1), a holder of a pro- duction certificate for an aircraft may not present a nonconforming aircraft, either di- rectly or through the registered owner of such aircraft or a person described in paragraph (2), to the Administrator for issuance of an initial airworthiness certificate. (B) CIVIL PENALTY.—Notwithstanding section 46301, a production certificate holder who knowingly violates subparagraph (A) shall be liable to the Administrator for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each noncon- forming aircraft. (C) PENALTY CONSIDERATIONS.—In deter- mining the amount of a civil penalty under subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall consider— (i) the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, including the length of time the nonconformity was known by the holder of a production certifi- cate but not disclosed; and Page 1327 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 (ii) with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior viola- tions, and the size of the business concern. (D) NONCONFORMING AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term ‘‘nonconforming air- craft’’ means an aircraft that does not con- form to the approved type design for such air- craft type. (e) DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY CRITICAL INFORMA- TION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding a delega- tion described in section 44702(d), the Adminis- trator shall require an applicant for, or holder of, a type certificate for a transport category airplane covered under part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to submit safety crit- ical information with respect to such airplane to the Administrator in such form, manner, or time as the Administrator may require. Such safety critical information shall include— (A) any design and operational details, in- tended functions, and failure modes of any system that, without being commanded by the flight crew, commands the operation of any safety critical function or feature re- quired for control of an airplane during flight or that otherwise changes the flight path or airspeed of an airplane; (B) the design and operational details, in- tended functions, failure modes, and mode annunciations of autopilot and autothrottle systems, if applicable; (C) any failure or operating condition that the applicant or holder anticipates or has concluded would result in an outcome with a severity level of hazardous or catastrophic, as defined in the appropriate Administration airworthiness requirements and guidance ap- plicable to transport category airplanes de- fining risk severity; (D) any adverse handling quality that fails to meet the requirements of applicable regu- lations without the addition of a software system to augment the flight controls of the airplane to produce compliant handling qualities; and (E) a system safety assessment with re- spect to a system described in subparagraph (A) or (B) or with respect to any component or other system for which failure or erro- neous operation of such component or sys- tem could result in an outcome with a sever- ity level of hazardous or catastrophic, as de- fined in the appropriate Administration air- worthiness requirements and guidance appli- cable to transport category airplanes defin- ing risk severity. (2) ONGOING COMMUNICATIONS.— (A) NEWLY DISCOVERED INFORMATION.—The Administrator shall require that an appli- cant for, or holder of, a type certificate dis- close to the Administrator, in such form, manner, or time as the Administrator may require, any newly discovered information or design or analysis change that would ma- terially alter any submission to the Admin- istrator under paragraph (1). (B) SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHANGES.—The Administrator shall establish multiple mile- stones throughout the certification process at which a proposed airplane system will be assessed to determine whether any change to such system during the certification process is such that such system should be consid- ered novel or unusual by the Administrator. (3) FLIGHT MANUALS.—The Administrator shall ensure that an airplane flight manual and a flight crew operating manual (as appro- priate or applicable) for an airplane contains a description of the operation of a system de- scribed in paragraph (1)(A) and flight crew pro- cedures for responding to a failure or aberrant operation of such system. (4) CIVIL PENALTY.— (A) AMOUNT.—Notwithstanding section 46301, an applicant for, or holder of, a type certificate that knowingly violates para- graph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection shall be liable to the Administrator for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each violation. (B) PENALTY CONSIDERATIONS.—In deter- mining the amount of a civil penalty under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consider— (i) the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, including the length of time that such safety critical in- formation was known but not disclosed; and (ii) with respect to the violator, the de- gree of culpability, any history of prior violations, and the size of the business concern. (5) REVOCATION AND CIVIL PENALTY FOR INDI- VIDUALS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall revoke any airline transport pilot certificate issued under section 44703 held by any indi- vidual who, while acting on behalf of an ap- plicant for, or holder of, a type certificate, knowingly makes a false statement with re- spect to any of the matters described in sub- paragraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1). (B) AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE CIVIL PENALTY.— The Administrator may impose a civil pen- alty under section 46301 for each violation described in subparagraph (A). (6) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect or oth- erwise inhibit the authority of the Adminis- trator to deny an application by an applicant for a type certificate or to revoke or amend a type certificate of a holder of such certificate. (7) DEFINITION OF TYPE CERTIFICATE.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘type certificate’’— (A) means a type certificate issued under subsection (a) or an amendment to such cer- tificate; and (B) does not include a supplemental type certificate issued under subsection (b). (f) HEARING REQUIREMENT.—The Administrator may find that a person has violated subsection (d)(3) or paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (e) and impose a civil penalty under the applicable subsection only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The Administrator shall provide a person— (1) written notice of the violation and the amount of penalty; and Page 1328 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 (2) the opportunity for a hearing under sub- part G of part 13 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. (g) CERTIFICATION DISPUTE RESOLUTION.— (1) DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS AND AP- PEALS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this sub- section, the Administrator shall issue an order establishing— (i) an effective, timely, and milestone- based issue resolution process for type cer- tification activities under subsection (a); and (ii) a process by which a decision, finding of compliance or noncompliance, or other act of the Administration, with respect to compliance with design requirements, may be appealed by a covered person directly involved with the certification activities in dispute on the basis that such decision, finding, or act is erroneous or inconsistent with this chapter, regulations, or guidance materials promulgated by the Adminis- trator, or other requirements. (B) ESCALATION.—The order issued under subparagraph (A) shall provide processes for— (i) resolution of technical issues at pre- established stages of the certification process, as agreed to by the Administrator and the type certificate applicant; (ii) automatic elevation to appropriate management personnel of the Administra- tion and the type certificate applicant of any major certification process milestone that is not completed or resolved within a specific period of time agreed to by the Ad- ministrator and the type certificate appli- cant; (iii) resolution of a major certification process milestone elevated pursuant to clause (ii) within a specific period of time agreed to by the Administrator and the type certificate applicant; (iv) initial review by appropriate Admin- istration employees of any appeal de- scribed in subparagraph (A)(ii); and (v) subsequent review of any further ap- peal by appropriate management personnel of the Administration and the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. (C) DISPOSITION.— (i) WRITTEN DECISION.—The Associate Ad- ministrator for Aviation Safety shall issue a written decision that states the grounds for the decision of the Associate Adminis- trator on— (I) each appeal submitted under sub- paragraph (A)(ii); and (II) An appeal to the Associate Admin- istrator submitted under subparagraph (B)(v). (ii) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than December 31 of each calendar year through calendar year 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transpor- tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report summarizing each ap- peal resolved under this subsection. (D) FINAL REVIEW.— (i) IN GENERAL.—A written decision of the Associate Administrator under sub- paragraph (C) may be appealed to the Ad- ministrator for a final review and deter- mination. (ii) DECLINE TO REVIEW.—The Adminis- trator may decline to review an appeal ini- tiated pursuant to clause (i). (iii) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—No decision under this paragraph (including a decision to de- cline to review an appeal) shall be subject to judicial review. (2) PROHIBITED CONTACTS.— (A) PROHIBITION GENERALLY.—During the course of an appeal under this subsection, no covered official may engage in an ex parte communication (as defined in section 551 of title 5) with an individual representing or acting on behalf of an applicant for, or hold- er of, a certificate under this section in rela- tion to such appeal unless such communica- tion is disclosed pursuant to subparagraph (B). (B) DISCLOSURE.—If, during the course of an appeal under this subsection, a covered official engages in, receives, or is otherwise made aware of an ex parte communication, the covered official shall disclose such com- munication in the public record at the time of the issuance of the written decision under paragraph (1)(C), including the time and date of the communication, subject of commu- nication, and all persons engaged in such communication. (3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: (A) COVERED PERSON.—The term ‘‘covered person’’ means either— (i) an employee of the Administration whose responsibilities relate to the certifi- cation of aircraft, engines, propellers, or appliances; or (ii) an applicant for, or holder of, a type certificate or amended type certificate issued under this section. (B) COVERED OFFICIAL.—The term ‘‘covered official’’ means the following officials: (i) The Executive Director or any Deputy Director of the Aircraft Certification Serv- ice. (ii) The Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Operations of the Aircraft Cer- tification Service. (iii) The Director or Deputy Director of the Compliance and Airworthiness Divi- sion of the Aircraft Certification Service. (iv) The Director or Deputy Director of the System Oversight Division of the Air- craft Certification Service. (v) The Director or Deputy Director of the Policy and Innovation Division of the Aircraft Certification Service. (vi) The Executive Director or any Dep- uty Executive Director of the Flight Standards Service. (vii) The Associate Administrator or Deputy Associate Administrator for Avia- tion Safety. Page 1329 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 (viii) The Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (ix) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (x) Any similarly situated or successor FAA management position to those de- scribed in clauses (i) through (ix), as deter- mined by the Administrator. (C) MAJOR CERTIFICATION PROCESS MILE- STONE.—The term ‘‘major certification proc- ess milestone’’ means a milestone related to the type certification basis, type certifi- cation plan, type inspection authorization, issue paper, or other major type certifi- cation activity agreed to by the Adminis- trator and the type certificate applicant. (4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the communication of a good-faith complaint by any individual al- leging— (A) gross misconduct; (B) a violation of title 18; or (C) a violation of any of the provisions of part 2635 or 6001 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations. (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1188; Pub. L. 104–264, title IV, § 403, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3256; Pub. L. 108–176, title II, § 227(b)(2), (e)(1), title VIII, § 811, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2531, 2532, 2590; Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, § 4405, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1776; Pub. L. 112–95, title III, §§ 302, 303(a), (c)(1), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 56, 57; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title II, § 214, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3250; Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, §§ 105(a), (b), 110, 120, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2317, 2328, 2343; Pub. L. 118–63, title III, §§ 306(c), 343(a), title XI, § 1101(k), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1072, 1101, 1414.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 44704(a)(1) .. 49 App.:1423(a)(2) (1st–4th sen- tences). Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §§ 503(h), 603(a)(1) (related to regulations for appli- ances), (2), (b) (related to basis for issuing, and con- tents of, certificates), (c) (related to basis for issuing, and contents of, certificates), 72 Stat. 774, 776. 49 App.:1655(c)(1). Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, § 7(b), 96 Stat. 2444. 44704(a)(2) .. 49 App.:1423(a)(1) (related to regula- tions for appli- ances), (2) (5th, last sentences). 49 App.:1655(c)(1). 44704(b) ...... 49 App.:1423(b) (re- lated to basis for issuing, and con- tents of, certifi- cates). 49 App.:1655(c)(1). 44704(c)(1) .. 49 App.:1423(c) (re- lated to basis for issuing, and con- tents of, certifi- cates). 49 App.:1655(c)(1). 44704(c)(2) .. 49 App.:1403(h). 49 App.:1655(c)(1). In subsections (a)–(c)(1), the word ‘‘Administrator’’ in section 603 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 776) is retained on authority of 49:106(g). In subsection (a)(1), the text of 49 App.:1423(a)(2) (1st sentence 1st–16th words) and the words ‘‘in regula- tions’’ are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘properly de- signed and manufactured, performs properly’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘of proper design, material, specification, construction, and performance for safe operation’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. The word ‘‘rules’’ is omitted as being synonymous with ‘‘regulations’’. The words ‘‘under section 44701(a) of this title’’ and ‘‘for a type certificate’’ are added for clarity. The words ‘‘in- cluding flight tests and tests of raw materials or any part or appurtenance of such aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance’’ are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(2)(A), the words ‘‘issuance of’’ are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(2)(B), the words ‘‘the duration there- of and such other’’ are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘conditions, and limitations’’ are omitted as being in- cluded in ‘‘terms’’. In subsection (a)(2)(C), the words ‘‘issued for aircraft, aircraft engines, or propellers’’ and ‘‘all of’’ are omitted as surplus. The word ‘‘specification’’ is substituted for ‘‘determination’’ for clarity. In subsection (b), the word ‘‘satisfactorily’’ is omit- ted as surplus. The words ‘‘shall inspect, and may re- quire testing of, a duplicate to ensure that it conforms to the requirements of the certificate’’ are substituted for ‘‘shall make such inspection and may require such tests of any aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or ap- pliance manufactured under a production certificate as may be necessary to assure manufacture of each unit in conformity with the type certificate or any amendment or modification thereof’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. The words ‘‘the duration thereof and such other . . . conditions, and limitations’’ are omitted as sur- plus. In subsection (c)(1), the words ‘‘may apply to’’ are substituted for ‘‘may file with . . . an application’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. The words ‘‘in accord- ance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation’’ are omitted because of 49:322(a). The words ‘‘the duration of such certificate, the type of service for which the aircraft may be used, and such other . . . conditions, and limitations’’ are omitted as surplus. In subsection (c)(2), the words ‘‘having a property in- terest’’ are substituted for ‘‘who are holders of property interests’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (g)(1)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–260, which was approved Dec. 27, 2020. AMENDMENTS 2024—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 118–63, § 343(a), added par. (6). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–63, § 1101(k), substituted ‘‘sub- section (d)(3)’’ for ‘‘subsection (a)(6)’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (g)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 118–63, § 306(c), sub- stituted ‘‘calendar year 2028’’ for ‘‘calendar year 2025’’. 2020—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 116–260, § 110(b), struck out par. (6) which related to type certification resolu- tion process. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–260, § 120, added par. (3). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–260, § 105(a), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to de- sign and production organization certificates. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–260, § 105(b), added subsec. (f). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–260, § 110(a), added subsec. (g). 2018—Pub. L. 115–254, § 214(b), substituted ‘‘airworthi- ness certificates,’’ for ‘‘airworthiness certificates,,’’ in section catchline. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 115–254, § 214(a), added par. (6). 2012—Pub. L. 112–95, § 303(c)(1), substituted ‘‘, and de- sign and production organization certificates’’ for ‘‘and design organization certificates’’ in section catchline. Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 112–95, § 302, added par. (5). Page 1330 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–95, § 303(a), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to design organization certificates. 2005—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4405(1)–(3), (5), (6), inserted par. headings, realigned margins, and substituted ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (4), if’’ for ‘‘If’’ in par. (3). Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4405(4), added par. (4). 2003—Pub. L. 108–176, § 227(e)(1), added section catch- line and struck out former section catchline which read as follows: ‘‘Type certificates, production certificates, and airworthiness certificates’’. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–176, § 811, added par. (3). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–176, § 227(b)(2), added subsec. (e). 1996—Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 104–264 added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2003 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 108–176 applicable only to fis- cal years beginning after Sept. 30, 2003, except as other- wise specifically provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–176, set out as a note under section 106 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Except as otherwise specifically provided, amend- ment by Pub. L. 104–264 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year end- ing before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as a note under section 106 of this title. USE OF ADVANCED TOOLS AND HIGH-RISK FLIGHT TESTING IN CERTIFYING AEROSPACE PRODUCTS Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 311, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1074, provided that: ‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the Ad- ministrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall complete an assessment of the use of advanced tools during the testing, analysis, and verification stages of aerospace certification projects to reduce the risks associated with high-risk flight profiles and per- forming limit testing. ‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the assessment under subsection (a), the Administrator shall con- sider— ‘‘(1) instances in which high-risk flight profiles and limit testing have occurred in the certification proc- ess and the applicability of the data produced by such testing for use in other aspects of flight testing; ‘‘(2) the safety of pilots during such testing; ‘‘(3) the value and accuracy of data collected using the advanced tools described in subsection (a); ‘‘(4) the ability to produce more extensive data sets using such advanced tools; ‘‘(5) any aspects of such testing for which the use of such advanced tools would not be valuable or applica- ble; ‘‘(6) the cost of using such advanced tools; and ‘‘(7) the best practices of other international civil aviation authorities that permit the use of advanced tools during aerospace certification projects. ‘‘(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the assessment under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with— ‘‘(1) aircraft manufacturers, including manufactur- ers that have designed and certified aircraft under— ‘‘(A) part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula- tions; ‘‘(B) part 25 of such title; or ‘‘(C) part 27 of such title; ‘‘(2) aircraft manufacturers that have designed and certified, or are in the process of certifying, aircraft with a novel design under part 21.17(b) of such title; ‘‘(3) associations representing aircraft manufactur- ers; ‘‘(4) researchers and academics in related fields; and ‘‘(5) pilots who are experts in flight testing. ‘‘(d) CONGRESSIONAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the completion of the assessment under sub- section (a), the Administrator shall brief the appro- priate committees of Congress [Committee on Com- merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] on the results of the assess- ment conducted under subsection (a). ‘‘(e) REQUIRED UPDATES.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall take necessary actions based on the results of the assessment under subsection (a), including, as ap- propriate— ‘‘(A) amending part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and ‘‘(B) modifying any associated advisory circulars, guidance, or policy of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration]. ‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In taking actions under para- graph (1), the Administrator shall consider— ‘‘(A) developing validation criteria and proce- dures whereby data produced in high-fidelity engi- neering laboratories and facilities may be allowed (in conjunction with, or in lieu of) data produced on a flying test article to support an applicant’s show- ing of compliance required under section 21.35(a)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; ‘‘(B) developing criteria and procedures whereby an Organization Designation Authorization (as de- fined in section 44736(c)(5) of title 49, United States Code) may recommend that certain data produced during an applicant’s flight test program may be accepted by the FAA as final compliance data in ac- cordance with section 21.35(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, at the sole discretion of the FAA; and ‘‘(C) working with other international civil avia- tion authorities representing States of Design to— ‘‘(i) identify their best practices relative to high risk-flight testing; and ‘‘(ii) adopt such practices into the flight-testing requirements of the FAA to the maximum extent practicable.’’ TRANSPORT AIRPLANE AND PROPULSION CERTIFICATION MODERNIZATION Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 312, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1076, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the Ad- ministrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for the item titled ‘Transport Airplane and Propulsion Certifi- cation Modernization’, published in Fall 2022 in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregula- tory Actions (RIN 2120–AL42).’’ INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 349, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1109, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to review, and develop findings and recommendations regarding, instructions for con- tinued airworthiness (as described in section 21.50 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations), and provide to the Administrator a report on such findings and rec- ommendations and for other related purposes as deter- mined by the Administrator. ‘‘(b) COMPOSITION.—The aviation rulemaking com- mittee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall con- sist of members appointed by the Administrator, in- cluding representatives of— ‘‘(1) holders of type certificates (as described in sub- part B of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regula- tions); Page 1331 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 ‘‘(2) holders of production certificates (as described in subpart G of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regu- lations); ‘‘(3) holders of parts manufacturer approvals (as de- scribed in subpart K of part 21, title 14, Code of Fed- eral Regulations); ‘‘(4) holders of technical standard order authoriza- tions (as described in subpart O of part 21, title 14, Code of Federal Regulations); ‘‘(5) operators under parts 121, 125, or 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; ‘‘(6) holders of repair station certificates (as de- scribed in section 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg- ulations) that are not also type certificate holders as included under paragraph (1), production certificate holders as included under paragraph (2), or aircraft operators as included under paragraph (5) (or associ- ated with any such entities); ‘‘(7) the certified bargaining representative of avia- tion safety inspectors and engineers for the Adminis- tration; ‘‘(8) general aviation operators; ‘‘(9) mechanics certificated under part 65 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; ‘‘(10) holders of supplemental type certificates (as described in subpart E of part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations); ‘‘(11) designated engineering representatives em- ployed by repair stations described in paragraph (6); and ‘‘(12) aviation safety experts with specific knowl- edge of instructions for continued airworthiness poli- cies and regulations. ‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—The aviation rulemaking com- mittee established pursuant to subsection (a) shall con- sider— ‘‘(1) existing standards, regulations, certifications, assessments, and guidance related to instructions for continued airworthiness and the clarity of such standards, regulations, certifications, assessments, and guidance to all parties; ‘‘(2) the sufficiency of safety data used in preparing instructions for continued airworthiness; ‘‘(3) the sufficiency of maintenance data used in preparing instructions for continued airworthiness; ‘‘(4) the protection of proprietary information and intellectual property in instructions for continued airworthiness; ‘‘(5) the availability of instructions for continued airworthiness, as needed, for maintenance activities; ‘‘(6) the need to harmonize or deconflict proposed and existing regulations with other Federal regula- tions, guidance, and policies; ‘‘(7) international collaboration, where appropriate and consistent with the interests of safety in air com- merce and national security, with other civil aviation authorities, international aviation and standards or- ganizations, and any other appropriate entities; and ‘‘(8) any other matter the Administrator deter- mines appropriate. ‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Administrator shall— ‘‘(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enact- ment of this Act [May 16, 2024], submit to the appro- priate committees of Congress [Committee on Com- merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] a copy of the aviation rulemaking committee report under subsection (a); and ‘‘(2) not later than 180 days after the date of sub- mission of the report under paragraph (1), initiate a rulemaking activity or make such policy and guid- ance updates necessary to address any consensus rec- ommendations reached by the aviation rulemaking committee established pursuant to subsection (a), as determined appropriate by the Administrator.’’ WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 360, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1120, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], to ensure that sufficient firefighting resources are available to suppress wildfires and protect public safety and prop- erty, and notwithstanding any other provision of law or agency regulation, the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall issue a rule under which— ‘‘(1) an operation described in section 21.25(b)(7) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall allow for the transport of firefighters to and from the site of a wildfire to perform ground wildfire suppression and designate the firefighters conducting such an oper- ation as essential crewmembers on board a covered aircraft operated on a mission to suppress wildfire; ‘‘(2) the aircraft maintenance, inspections, and pilot training requirements under part 135 of such title 14 may apply to such an operation, if determined by the Administrator to be necessary to maintain the safety of firefighters carrying out wildfire suppres- sion missions; and ‘‘(3) the noise standards described in part 36 of such title 14 shall not apply to such an operation. ‘‘(b) SURPLUS MILITARY AIRCRAFT.—In issuing a rule under subsection (a), the Administrator may not enable any aircraft of a type that has been— ‘‘(1) manufactured in accordance with the require- ments of, and accepted for use by, the armed forces (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code); and ‘‘(2) later modified to be used for wildfire suppres- sion operations. ‘‘(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO FAA DOCUMENTS.— In issuing a rule under subsection (a), the Adminis- trator shall revise the order of the FAA [Federal Avia- tion Administration] titled ‘Restricted Category Type Certification’, issued on February 27, 2006 (FAA Order 8110.56), as well as any corresponding policy or guidance material, to reflect the requirements of this section. ‘‘(d) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Admin- istrator to take action otherwise authorized by law to protect aviation safety or passenger safety. ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) COVERED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘covered air- craft’ means an aircraft type-certificated in the re- stricted category under section 21.25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, used for transporting fire- fighters to and from the site of a wildfire in order to perform ground wildfire suppression for the purpose of extinguishing a wildfire on behalf of, or pursuant to a contract with, a Federal, State, or local govern- ment agency. ‘‘(2) FIREFIGHTERS.—The term ‘firefighters’ means a trained fire suppression professional the transport of whom is necessary to accomplish a wildfire suppres- sion operation.’’ REQUIRED SUBMISSION OF OUTLINE OF SYSTEM CHANGES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 105(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2319, provided that: ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Ad- ministrator shall initiate a process to revise procedures to require an applicant for an amendment to a type cer- tificate for a transport category aircraft to disclose to the Administrator, in a single document submitted at the beginning of the process for amending such certifi- cate, all new systems and intended changes to existing systems then known to such applicant. The Adminis- trator shall finalize the revision of such procedures not later than 18 months after initiating such process. ‘‘(2) APPLICATION.—Compliance with the procedures revised pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not preclude an applicant from making additional changes to aircraft systems as the design and application process proceeds. ‘‘(3) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit the obligations of an appli- cant for an amended type certificate for a transport Page 1332 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 category airplane under section 44704(e) of title 49, United States Code, as amended in this title.’’ [For definitions of ‘‘Administrator’’ and ‘‘type certifi- cate’’ as used in section 105(c) of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAMS Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 108, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2326, as amended by Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 306(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1072, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Upon receipt of an application for a type certificate for a transport category airplane, the Administrator shall convene an interdisciplinary inte- grated project team responsible for coordinating review and providing advice and recommendations, as appro- priate, to the Administrator on such application. ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—In convening an interdisciplinary integrated project team under subsection (a), the Ad- ministrator shall appoint employees of the Administra- tion or other Federal agencies, such as the Air Force, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (with the concurrence of the head of such other Federal agen- cy), with specialized expertise and experience in the fields of engineering, systems design, human factors, and pilot training, including, at a minimum— ‘‘(1) not less than 1 designee of the Associate Ad- ministrator for Aviation Safety whose duty station is in the Administration’s headquarters; ‘‘(2) representatives of the Aircraft Certification Service of the Administration; ‘‘(3) representatives of the Flight Standards Service of the Administration; ‘‘(4) experts in the fields of human factors, aero- dynamics, flight controls, software, and systems de- sign; and ‘‘(5) any other subject matter expert whom the Ad- ministrator determines appropriate. ‘‘(c) AVAILABILITY.—In order to carry out its duties with respect to the areas specified in subsection (d), a project team shall be available to the Administrator, upon request, at any time during the certification proc- ess. ‘‘(d) DUTIES.—A project team shall advise the Admin- istrator and make written recommendations to the Ad- ministrator, to be retained in the certification project file, including recommendations for any plans, anal- yses, assessments, and reports required to support and document the certification project, in the following areas associated with a new technology or novel design: ‘‘(1) Initial review of design proposals proposed by the applicant and the establishment of the certifi- cation basis. ‘‘(2) Identification of new technology, novel design, or safety critical design features or systems that are potentially catastrophic, either alone or in combina- tion with another failure. ‘‘(3) Determination of compliance findings, system safety assessments, and safety critical functions the Administration should retain in terms of new tech- nology, novel design, or safety critical design fea- tures or systems. ‘‘(4) Evaluation of the Administration’s expertise or experience necessary to support the project. ‘‘(5) Review and evaluation of an applicant’s re- quest for exceptions or exemptions from compliance with airworthiness standards codified in title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of application for the change. ‘‘(6) Conduct of design reviews, procedure evalua- tions, and training evaluations. ‘‘(7) Review of the applicant’s final design docu- mentation and other data to evaluate compliance with all relevant Administration regulations. ‘‘(e) DOCUMENTATION OF FAA RESPONSE.—The Admin- istrator shall provide a written response to each rec- ommendation of each project team and shall retain such response in the certification project file. ‘‘(f) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section [Dec. 27, 2020], and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional committees of juris- diction a report on the establishment of each inte- grated project team in accordance with this section during such fiscal year, including the role and composi- tion of each such project team.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 108 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS: DISQUALIFICATION BASED ON PRIOR EMPLOYMENT Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 111(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2330, provided that: ‘‘An employee of the [Federal Aviation] Administration with supervisory responsi- bility may not direct, conduct, or otherwise participate in oversight of a holder of a certificate issued under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code, that pre- viously employed such employee in the preceding 1- year period.’’ SYSTEM SAFETY ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 115, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2333, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Ad- ministrator shall issue such regulations as are nec- essary to amend part 25 of title 14, Code of Federal Reg- ulations, and any associated advisory circular, guid- ance, or policy of the Administration, in accordance with this section. ‘‘(b) SYSTEM SAFETY ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER RE- QUIREMENTS.—In developing regulations under sub- section (a), the Administrator shall— ‘‘(1) require an applicant for an amended type cer- tificate for a transport airplane to— ‘‘(A) perform a system safety assessment with re- spect to each proposed design change that the Ad- ministrator determines is significant, with such as- sessment considering the airplane-level effects of individual errors, malfunctions, or failures and re- alistic pilot response times to such errors, malfunc- tions, or failures; ‘‘(B) update such assessment to account for each subsequent proposed design change that the Admin- istrator determines is significant; ‘‘(C) provide appropriate employees of the Admin- istration with the data and assumptions underlying each assessment and amended assessment; and ‘‘(D) provide for document traceability and clar- ity of explanations for changes to aircraft type de- signs and system safety assessment certification documents; and ‘‘(2) work with other civil aviation authorities rep- resenting states of design to ensure such regulations remain harmonized internationally. ‘‘(c) GUIDANCE.—Guidance or an advisory circular issued under subsection (a) shall, at minimum— ‘‘(1) emphasize the importance of clear documenta- tion of the technical details and failure modes and ef- fects of a design change described in subsection (b)(1); and ‘‘(2) ensure appropriate review of any change that results in a functional hazard assessment classifica- tion of major or greater, as such term is defined in FAA Advisory Circular 25.1309-1A (or any successor or replacement document). ‘‘(d) FAA REVIEW.—Appropriate employees of the Air- craft Certification Service and the Flight Standards Service of the Administration shall review each system safety assessment required under subsection (b)(1)(A), updated assessment required under subsection (b)(1)(B), and supporting data and assumptions required under subsection (b)(1)(C), to ensure that each such assess- ment sufficiently addresses the considerations listed in subsection (b)(1)(A).’’ Page 1333 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 [For definitions of terms used in section 115 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] FLIGHT CREW ALERTING Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 116, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2334, as amended by Pub. L. 117–328, div. O, title V, § 501(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5231, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Ad- ministrator shall implement National Transportation Safety Board recommendations A–19–11 and A–19–12 (as contained in the safety recommendation report adopted on September 9, 2019). ‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—Beginning on December 27, 2022, the Administrator may not issue a type certificate for a transport category aircraft unless, in the case of a transport category aircraft other than a transport air- plane, the type certificate applicant provides a means acceptable to the Administrator to assist the flight crew in prioritizing corrective actions and responding to systems failures (including by cockpit or flight man- ual procedures). ‘‘(c) EXISTING AIRPLANE DESIGNS.—It is the sense of Congress that the FAA shall ensure that any system safety assessment with respect to the Boeing 737-7, 737- 8, 737-9, and 737-10 airplanes, as described in National Transportation Safety Board recommendation A-19-10, is conducted in accordance with such recommenda- tion.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 116 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] CHANGED PRODUCT RULE Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 344, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1101, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the Ad- ministrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise section 21.101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to achieve the following objectives: ‘‘(1) For any significant design change, as deter- mined by the Administrator, to require that the ex- ception related to impracticality under subsection (b)(3) of such section from the requirement to comply with the latest amendments of the applicable air- worthiness standards in effect on the date of applica- tion for the change be approved only after providing public notice and opportunity to comment on such exception. ‘‘(2) To ensure appropriate documentation of any exception or exemption from airworthiness require- ments in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of application for the change. ‘‘(b) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis- trator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Trans- portation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent- atives] a briefing on the implementation by the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] of the recommenda- tions of the Changed Product Rule International Au- thorities Working Group, established for purposes of carrying out the requirements of section 117 of the Air- craft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act [Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I] (49 U.S.C. 44704 note), in- cluding recommendations on harmonized changes and reforms regarding the impractical exception. ‘‘(c) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a final rule based on the notice of proposed rule- making issued under subsection (a). ‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Beginning in 2025 and annually thereafter through 2028, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report detailing the number of all significant design change exceptions approved and denied under para- graphs (1) through (3) of section 21.101(b) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.’’ Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 117, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2335, as amended by Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 306(f), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1072, provided that: ‘‘(a) REVIEW AND REEVALUATION OF AMENDED TYPE CERTIFICATES.— ‘‘(1) INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP.—The Adminis- trator shall exercise leadership in the creation of international policies and standards relating to the issuance of amended type certificates within the Cer- tification Management Team. ‘‘(2) REEVALUATION OF AMENDED TYPE CERTIFI- CATES.—In carrying out this subsection, the Adminis- trator shall— ‘‘(A) encourage Certification Management Team members to examine and address any relevant cov- ered recommendations (as defined in section 121(c) [134 Stat. 2344]) relating to the issuance of amended type certificates; ‘‘(B) reevaluate existing assumptions and prac- tices inherent in the amended type certificate proc- ess and assess whether such assumptions and prac- tices are valid; and ‘‘(C) ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that Federal regulations relating to the issuance of amended type certificates are harmonized with the regulations of other international states of design. ‘‘(b) AMENDED TYPE CERTIFICATE REPORT AND RULE- MAKING.— ‘‘(1) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], and an- nually thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the Admin- istrator shall brief the congressional committees of jurisdiction on the work and status of the develop- ment of such recommendations by the Certification Management Team. ‘‘(2) INITIATION OF ACTION.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this title, the Adminis- trator shall take action to revise and improve the process of issuing amended type certificates in ac- cordance with this section. Such action shall include, at minimum— ‘‘(A) initiation of a rulemaking proceeding; and ‘‘(B) development or revision of guidance and training materials. ‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—In taking actions required under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall do the fol- lowing: ‘‘(A) Ensure that proposed changes to an aircraft are evaluated from an integrated whole aircraft system perspective that examines the integration of proposed changes with existing systems and asso- ciated impacts. ‘‘(B) Define key terms used for the changed prod- uct process under sections 21.19 and 21.101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. ‘‘(C) Consider— ‘‘(i) the findings and work of the Certification Management Team and other similar inter- national harmonization efforts; ‘‘(ii) any relevant covered recommendations (as defined in section 121(c) [134 Stat. 2344]); and ‘‘(iii) whether a fixed time beyond which a type certificate may not be amended would improve aviation safety. ‘‘(D) Establish the extent to which the following design characteristics should preclude the issuance of an amended type certificate: ‘‘(i) A new or revised flight control system. ‘‘(ii) Any substantial changes to aerodynamic stability resulting from a physical change that may require a new or modified software system or control law in order to produce positive and ac- ceptable stability and handling qualities. ‘‘(iii) A flight control system or augmented software to maintain aerodynamic stability in Page 1334 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 any portion of the flight envelope that was not required for a previously certified derivative. ‘‘(iv) A change in structural components (other than a stretch or shrink of the fuselage) that re- sults in a change in structural load paths or the magnitude of structural loads attributed to flight maneuvers or cabin pressurization. ‘‘(v) A novel or unusual system, component, or other feature whose failure would present a haz- ardous or catastrophic risk. ‘‘(E) Develop objective criteria for helping to de- termine what constitutes a substantial change and a significant change. ‘‘(F) Implement mandatory aircraft-level reviews throughout the certification process to validate the certification basis and assumptions. ‘‘(G) Require maintenance of relevant records of agreements between the FAA and an applicant that affect certification documentation and deliverables. ‘‘(H) Ensure appropriate documentation of any exception or exemption from airworthiness require- ments codified in title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of application for the change. ‘‘(4) GUIDANCE MATERIALS.—The Administrator shall consider the following when developing orders and regulatory guidance, including advisory circulars, where appropriate: ‘‘(A) Early FAA involvement and feedback paths in the aircraft certification process to ensure the FAA is aware of changes to design assumptions and product design impacting a changed product assess- ment. ‘‘(B) Presentation to the FAA of new technology, novel design, or safety critical features or systems, initially and throughout the certification process, when development and certification prompt design or compliance method revision. ‘‘(C) Examples of key terms used for the changed product process under sections 21.19 and 21.101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. ‘‘(D) Type certificate data sheet improvements to accurately state which regulations and amendment level the aircraft complies to and when compliance is limited to a subset of the aircraft. ‘‘(E) Policies to guide applicants on proper visi- bility, clarity, and consistency of key design and compliance information that is submitted for cer- tification, particularly with new design features. ‘‘(F) The creation, validation, and implementa- tion of analytical tools appropriate for the analysis of complex system for the FAA and applicants. ‘‘(G) Early coordination processes with the FAA for the functional hazard assessments validation and preliminary system safety assessments review. ‘‘(5) TRAINING MATERIALS.—The Administrator shall— ‘‘(A) develop training materials for establishing the certification basis for changed aeronautical products pursuant to section 21.101 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, applications for a new type certificate pursuant to section 21.19 of such title, and the regulatory guidance developed as a result of the rulemaking conducted pursuant to paragraph (2); and ‘‘(B) procedures for disseminating such materials to implementing personnel of the FAA, designees, and applicants. ‘‘(6) CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT TEAM DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘Certification Management Team’ means the team framework under which the FAA, the European Aviation Safety Agency, the Transport Canada Civil Aviation, and the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil, manage the tech- nical, policy, certification, manufacturing, export, and continued airworthiness issues common among the 4 authorities. ‘‘(7) DEADLINE.—The Administrator shall finalize the actions initiated under paragraph (2) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this title. ‘‘(c) INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP.—The Administrator shall exercise leadership within the ICAO and among other civil aviation regulators representing states of aircraft design to advocate for the adoption of an amended changed product rule on a global basis, con- sistent with ICAO standards.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 117 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] EXPERT SAFETY REVIEW Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 119(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2339, provided that: ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Ad- ministrator shall initiate an expert safety review of as- sumptions relied upon by the Administration and man- ufacturers of transport category aircraft in the design and certification of such aircraft. ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The expert safety review required under paragraph (1) shall include— ‘‘(A) a review of Administration regulations, guid- ance, and directives related to pilot response assump- tions relied upon by the FAA and manufacturers of transport category aircraft in the design and certifi- cation of such aircraft, and human factors and human system integration, particularly those related to pilot and aircraft interfaces; ‘‘(B) a focused review of the assumptions relied on regarding the time for pilot responses to non-normal conditions in designing such aircraft’s systems and instrumentation, including responses to safety-sig- nificant failure conditions and failure scenarios that trigger multiple, and possibly conflicting, warnings and alerts; ‘‘(C) a review of human factors assumptions with applicable operational data, human factors research and the input of human factors experts and FAA operational data, and as appropriate, recommenda- tions for modifications to existing assumptions; ‘‘(D) a review of revisions made to the airman cer- tification standards for certificates over the last 4 years, including any possible effects on pilot com- petency in basic manual flying skills; ‘‘(E) consideration of the global nature of the avia- tion marketplace, varying levels of pilot competency, and differences in pilot training programs worldwide; ‘‘(F) a process for aviation stakeholders, including pilots, airlines, inspectors, engineers, test pilots, human factors experts, and other aviation safety ex- perts, to provide and discuss any observations, feed- back, and best practices; ‘‘(G) a review of processes currently in place to en- sure that when carrying out the certification of a new aircraft type, or an amended type, the cumu- lative effects that new technologies, and the inter- action between new technologies and unchanged sys- tems for an amended type certificate, may have on pilot interactions with aircraft systems are properly assessed through system safety assessments or other- wise; and ‘‘(H) a review of processes currently in place to ac- count for any necessary adjustments to system safety assessments, pilot procedures and training require- ments, or design requirements when there are changes to the assumptions relied upon by the Ad- ministration and manufacturers of transport cat- egory aircraft in the design and certification of such aircraft. ‘‘(3) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the expert safety re- view pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the congressional committees of ju- risdiction a report on the results of the review, in- cluding any recommendations for actions or best practices to ensure the FAA and the manufacturers of transport category aircraft have accounted for pilot response assumptions to be relied upon in the design and certification of transport category air- Page 1335 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 craft and tools or methods identified to better inte- grate human factors throughout the process for such certification. ‘‘(4) INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT.—The Adminis- trator shall notify other international regulators that certify transport category aircraft type designs of the expert panel report and encourage them to re- view the report and evaluate their regulations and processes in light of the recommendations included in the report. ‘‘(5) TERMINATION.—The expert safety review shall end upon submission of the report required pursuant to paragraph (3). ‘‘(6) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator shall issue or update such regulations as are necessary to imple- ment the recommendations of the expert safety re- view that the Administrator determines are nec- essary to improve aviation safety.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 119(c) of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] HUMAN FACTORS RESEARCH Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 126, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2347, provided that: ‘‘(a) HUMAN FACTORS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Administrator, in consultation with aircraft manufac- turers, operators, and pilots, and in coordination with the head of such other Federal agency that the Admin- istrator determines appropriate, shall develop research requirements to address the integration of human fac- tors in the design and certification of aircraft that are intended for use in air transportation. ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing such research re- quirements, the Administrator shall— ‘‘(1) establish goals for research in areas of study relevant to advancing technology, improving design engineering and certification practices, and facili- tating better understanding of human factors con- cepts in the context of the growing development and reliance on automated or complex flight deck sys- tems in aircraft operations, including the develop- ment of tools to validate pilot recognition and re- sponse assumptions and diagnostic tools to improve the clarity of failure indications presented to pilots; ‘‘(2) take into consideration and leverage any exist- ing or planned research that is conducted by, or con- ducted in partnership with, the FAA; and ‘‘(3) focus on— ‘‘(A) preventing a recurrence of the types of acci- dents that have involved transport category air- planes designed and manufactured in the United States; and ‘‘(B) increasingly complex aircraft systems and designs. ‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—In implementing the research requirements developed under this section, the Admin- istrator shall work with appropriate organizations and authorities with expertise including, to the maximum extent practicable, the Center of Excellence for Tech- nical Training and Human Performance and the Center of Excellence developed or expanded pursuant to sec- tion 127 [set out as a note under section 44513 of this title]. ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is au- thorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023, out of funds made available under section 48102(a) of title 49, United States Code, to carry out this section.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 126 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] PILOT OPERATIONAL EVALUATIONS Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, § 128, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2349, provided that: ‘‘(a) PILOT OPERATIONAL EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title [Dec. 27, 2020], the Administrator shall revise existing policies for manufacturers of transport airplanes to en- sure that pilot operational evaluations for airplane types that are submitted for certification utilize pilots from air carriers that are expected to operate such air- planes. ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENT.—Such manufacturer shall ensure, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the air carrier and foreign air carrier pilots used for such eval- uations include pilots of varying levels of experience.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 128 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 137 of div. V of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.] SECURING AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title V, § 506, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3354, as amended by Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 394, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1145, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] shall revise, as appropriate, existing Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding airworthiness certification— ‘‘(1) to address cybersecurity for avionics systems, including software components; ‘‘(2) to require that aircraft avionics systems used for flight guidance or aircraft control be secured against unauthorized access via passenger in-flight entertainment systems through such means as the Administrator determines appropriate to protect the avionics systems from unauthorized external and in- ternal access; and ‘‘(3) to establish a process and timeline by which software-based systems and equipment, including air- craft flight critical systems of aircraft operated under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula- tions, can be regularly screened to attempt to deter- mine whether the software-based systems and equip- ment have been compromised by unauthorized exter- nal or internal access. ‘‘(b) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider the recommendations of the Aircraft Systems Information Security Protec- tion Working Group under section 2111 of the FAA Ex- tension Safety and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190; 130 Stat. 615 [625]) [49 U.S.C. 44903 note].’’ SMALL AIRPLANE REVITALIZATION Pub. L. 113–53, Nov. 27, 2013, 127 Stat. 584, provided that: ‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘This Act may be cited as the ‘Small Airplane Revi- talization Act of 2013’. ‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ‘‘Congress makes the following findings: ‘‘(1) A healthy small aircraft industry is integral to economic growth and to maintaining an effective transportation infrastructure for communities and countries around the world. ‘‘(2) Small airplanes comprise nearly 90 percent of general aviation aircraft certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. ‘‘(3) General aviation provides for the cultivation of a workforce of engineers, manufacturing and mainte- nance professionals, and pilots who secure the eco- nomic success and defense of the United States. ‘‘(4) General aviation contributes to well-paying jobs in the manufacturing and technology sectors in the United States and products produced by those sectors are exported in great numbers. ‘‘(5) Technology developed and proven in general aviation aids in the success and safety of all sectors of aviation and scientific competence. ‘‘(6) The average small airplane in the United States is now 40 years old and the regulatory barriers to bringing new designs to the market are resulting Page 1336 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44704 in a lack of innovation and investment in small air- plane design. ‘‘(7) Since 2003, the United States lost 10,000 active private pilots per year on average, partially due to a lack of cost-effective, new small airplanes. ‘‘(8) General aviation safety can be improved by modernizing and revamping the regulations relating to small airplanes to clear the path for technology adoption and cost-effective means to retrofit the ex- isting fleet with new safety technologies. ‘‘SEC. 3. SAFETY AND REGULATORY IMPROVE- MENTS FOR GENERAL AVIATION. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 15, 2015, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administra- tion shall issue a final rule— ‘‘(1) to advance the safety and continued develop- ment of small airplanes by reorganizing the certifi- cation requirements for such airplanes under part 23 to streamline the approval of safety advancements; and ‘‘(2) that meets the objectives described in sub- section (b). ‘‘(b) OBJECTIVES DESCRIBED.—The objectives described in this subsection are based on the recommendations of the Part 23 Reorganization Aviation Rulemaking Com- mittee: ‘‘(1) The establishment of a regulatory regime for small airplanes that will improve safety and reduce the regulatory cost burden for the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation industry. ‘‘(2) The establishment of broad, outcome-driven safety objectives that will spur innovation and tech- nology adoption. ‘‘(3) The replacement of current, prescriptive re- quirements under part 23 with performance-based reg- ulations. ‘‘(4) The use of consensus standards accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration to clarify how the safety objectives of part 23 may be met using specific designs and technologies. ‘‘(c) CONSENSUS-BASED STANDARDS.—In prescribing regulations under this section, the Administrator shall use consensus standards, as described in section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1996 [1995] (15 U.S.C. 272 note), to the extent prac- ticable while continuing traditional methods for meet- ing part 23. ‘‘(d) SAFETY COOPERATION.—The Administrator shall lead the effort to improve general aviation safety by working with leading aviation regulators to assist them in adopting a complementary regulatory ap- proach for small airplanes. ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) CONSENSUS STANDARDS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘consensus standards’ means standards developed by an organization de- scribed in subparagraph (B) that may include provi- sions requiring that owners of relevant intellectual property have agreed to make that intellectual property available on a nondiscriminatory, royalty- free, or reasonable royalty basis to all interested persons. ‘‘(B) ORGANIZATIONS DESCRIBED.—An organization described in this subparagraph is a domestic or international organization that— ‘‘(i) plans, develops, establishes, or coordinates, through a process based on consensus and using agreed-upon procedures, voluntary standards; and ‘‘(ii) operates in a transparent manner, con- siders a balanced set of interests with respect to such standards, and provides for due process and an appeals process with respect to such standards. ‘‘(2) PART 23.—The term ‘part 23’ means part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. ‘‘(3) PART 23 REORGANIZATION AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE.—The term ‘Part 23 Reorganization Avia- tion Rulemaking Committee’ means the aviation rulemaking committee established by the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2011 to consider the reorganization of the regulations under part 23. ‘‘(4) SMALL AIRPLANE.—The term ‘small airplane’ means an airplane which is certified to part 23 stand- ards.’’ APPLICABILITY Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 303(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 57, provided that: ‘‘Before January 1, 2013, the Adminis- trator of the Federal Aviation Administration may continue to issue certificates under section 44704(e) of title 49, United States Code, as in effect on the day be- fore the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012].’’ AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PROCESS REVIEW AND REFORM Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 312, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 66, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with rep- resentatives of the aviation industry, shall conduct an assessment of the certification and approval process under section 44704 of title 49, United States Code. ‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the assessment, the Administrator shall consider— ‘‘(1) the expected number of applications for prod- uct certifications and approvals the Administrator will receive under section 44704 of such title in the 1- year, 5-year, and 10-year periods following the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012]; ‘‘(2) process reforms and improvements necessary to allow the Administrator to review and approve the applications in a fair and timely fashion; ‘‘(3) the status of recommendations made in pre- vious reports on the Administration’s certification process; ‘‘(4) methods for enhancing the effective use of dele- gation systems, including organizational designation authorization; ‘‘(5) methods for training the Administration’s field office employees in the safety management system and auditing; and ‘‘(6) the status of updating airworthiness require- ments, including implementing recommendations in the Administration’s report entitled ‘Part 23—Small Airplane Certification Process Study’ (OK–09–3468, dated July 2009). ‘‘(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In conducting the assess- ment, the Administrator shall make recommendations to improve efficiency and reduce costs through stream- lining and reengineering the certification process under section 44704 of such title to ensure that the Adminis- trator can conduct certifications and approvals under such section in a manner that supports and enables the development of new products and technologies and the global competitiveness of the United States aviation industry. ‘‘(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep- resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the re- sults of the assessment, together with an explanation of how the Administrator will implement recommenda- tions made under subsection (c) and measure the effec- tiveness of the recommendations. ‘‘(e) IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator shall begin to im- plement the recommendations made under subsection (c).’’ HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DOCUMENTS Pub. L. 112–95, title VIII, § 816, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 126, provided that: ‘‘(a) PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take such actions as the Administrator determines necessary to preserve original aircraft type certificate engineering and technical data in the possession of the Federal Avia- tion Administration related to— Page 1337 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 44705 ‘‘(A) approved aircraft type certificate numbers ATC 1 through ATC 713; and ‘‘(B) Group-2 approved aircraft type certificate numbers 2–1 through 2–544. ‘‘(2) REVISION OF ORDER.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 14, 2012], the Administrator shall revise FAA Order 1350.15C, Item Number 8110. Such revision shall prohibit the destruction of the historical aircraft documents iden- tified in paragraph (1). ‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator may carry out paragraph (1) in consultation with the Archivist of the United States and the Administrator of Gen- eral Services. ‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS.— ‘‘(1) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS.—The Administrator shall make the documents to be pre- served under subsection (a)(1) available to a person— ‘‘(A) upon receipt of a request made by the person pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States Code; and ‘‘(B) subject to a prohibition on use of the docu- ments for commercial purposes. ‘‘(2) TRADE SECRETS, COMMERCIAL, AND FINANCIAL IN- FORMATION.—Section 552(b)(4) of such title shall not apply to requests for documents to be made available pursuant to paragraph (1). ‘‘(c) HOLDER OF TYPE CERTIFICATE.— ‘‘(1) RIGHTS OF HOLDER.—Nothing in this section shall affect the rights of a holder or owner of a type certificate identified in subsection (a)(1), nor require the holder or owner to provide, surrender, or preserve any original or duplicate engineering or technical data to or for the Federal Aviation Administration, a person, or the public. ‘‘(2) LIABILITY.—There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, a holder of a type certificate, its au- thorized representative, its agents, or its employees, or any firm, person, corporation, or insurer related to the type certificate data and documents identified in subsection (a)(1). ‘‘(3) AIRWORTHINESS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the holder of a type certificate iden- tified in subsection (a)(1) shall only be responsible for Federal Aviation Administration regulation require- ments related to type certificate data and documents identified in subsection (a)(1) for aircraft having a standard airworthiness certificate issued prior to the date the documents are released to a person by the Federal Aviation Administration under subsection (b)(1).’’ PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF SYSTEM FOR CERTIFICATION OF DESIGN ORGANIZATIONS Pub. L. 108–176, title II, § 227(b)(1), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2531, provided that, not later than 4 years after Dec. 12, 2003, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration was to transmit to Congress a plan for the development and oversight of a certification sys- tem of design organizations to ensure compliance with the requirements and minimum standards of section 44701(a) of this title. § 44705. Air carrier operating certificates The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue an air carrier oper- ating certificate to a person desiring to operate as an air carrier when the Administrator finds, after investigation, that the person properly and adequately is equipped and able to operate safe- ly under this part and regulations and standards prescribed under this part. An air carrier oper- ating certificate shall— (1) contain terms necessary to ensure safety in air transportation; and (2) specify the places to and from which, and the airways of the United States over which, a person may operate as an air carrier. (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1189.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 44705 .......... 49 App.:1424(b). Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, § 604(b), 72 Stat. 778. 49 App.:1655(c)(1). Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, § 7(b), 96 Stat. 2444. In this section, the word ‘‘Administrator’’ in section 604(b) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 778) is retained on authority of 49:106(g). Before clause (1), the words ‘‘may file with the Sec- retary of Transportation an application for an air car- rier operating certificate’’ and ‘‘the requirements of’’ are omitted as surplus. The word ‘‘rules’’ is omitted as being synonymous with ‘‘regulations’’. In clause (1), the words ‘‘conditions, and limitations . . . reason- ably’’ are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the word ‘‘places’’ is substituted for ‘‘points’’ for consistency in the revised title. The words ‘‘under an air carrier oper- ating certificate’’ are omitted as surplus. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR AND SPORT PARACHUTING SAFETY Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 363, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1126, provided that: ‘‘(a) SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL AIR TOUR OPERATORS.— ‘‘(1) SAFETY REFORMS.— ‘‘(A) AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT NONSTOP COMMERCIAL AIR TOURS.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), begin- ning on the date that is 2 years after the date a final rule is published pursuant to paragraph (3), no person may conduct commercial air tours un- less such person either— ‘‘(I) holds a certificate identifying the person as an air carrier or commercial operator under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations[,] and conducts all commercial air tours under the applicable provisions of part 121 or part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regula- tions; or ‘‘(II) conducts all commercial air tours pursu- ant to the requirements established by the Ad- ministrator [of the Federal Aviation Adminis- tration] under the final rule published pursuant to paragraph (3). ‘‘(ii) SMALL BUSINESS EXCEPTION.—The provi- sions of clause (i) shall not apply to a person who conducts 100 or fewer commercial air tours in a calendar year. ‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the Administrator shall issue new or revised regu- lations to require a commercial air tour operator seeking to conduct an operation with a removed or modified door and a person conducting aerial photography operations seeking to conduct an op- eration with a removed or modified door to re- ceive approval from the Administrator prior to conducting such operation. ‘‘(ii) CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS.—In issuing new or revised regulations under clause (i), the Administrator may impose such conditions and restrictions as determined necessary for safety. ‘‘(iii) CONSIDERATIONS.—In issuing new or re- vised regulations under clause (i), the Adminis- trator shall require a commercial air tour oper- ator to demonstrate to any representative of the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], upon re- quest, that a pilot authorized to operate such an