What This Bill Does
This bill creates a new Office of Advanced Aviation within the Federal Aviation Administration and appoints a leader called the Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation. That leader will coordinate how new aviation technologies like drones, electric aircraft, and autonomous systems are approved and integrated safely into U.S. airspace.
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Who It Affects
- The Federal Aviation Administration and its employees
- Companies developing new aviation technologies
- Drone manufacturers and operators
- Aircraft makers working on electric or autonomous systems
- Air traffic control organizations
- The Secretary of Transportation
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Key Provisions
- The Office of NextGen becomes the Office of Advanced Aviation within one year of the law passing (Sec. 2(a))
- The Associate Administrator coordinates rule-making and certification processes for advanced aviation systems and manages hiring for technical staff (Sec. 2(c))
- An Office of Advanced Integration is created to handle standardization and certification matters (Sec. 3)
- An Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit brings together multiple aviation offices to work together on integrating new technologies safely (Sec. 4)
- The William J. Hughes Technical Center becomes the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aviation and will test new aviation technologies (Sec. 5)
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What Changes
If this becomes law, the Federal Aviation Administration gains a new specialized office focused only on advanced aviation technologies. Multiple FAA offices will be required to work together through a coordination unit instead of separately. A technical center will evaluate new aviation technologies and recommend which ones can safely be used in U.S. airspace. There is a formal process for objections to new rules where concerns go to the Administrator and then to the Secretary of Transportation within set timelines.
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Important Definitions
**Advanced Aviation System** means unmanned aircraft, drone defense systems, powered lift aircraft (aircraft that use lifting propulsion), technologies for advanced air mobility, aircraft ability to sense and avoid obstacles, autonomous aircraft, supersonic capabilities, electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft, new telecommunications for aircraft, 5G/6G spectrum technologies, and other aviation technologies the Associate Administrator determines can feasibly be integrated into national airspace (Sec. 6(3))
**Administrator** means the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (Sec. 6(1))
**Secretary** means the Secretary of Transportation (Sec. 6(5))
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Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 220
To establish the Office of Advanced Aviation within the Administration of
the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 9, 2023
Mr. VAN DREW introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish the Office of Advanced Aviation within the Ad-
ministration of the Federal Aviation Administration, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Advanced Aviation
4
Act’’.
5
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•HR 220 IH
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF ADVANCED AVIATION; ASSOCIATE AD-
1
MINISTRATOR FOR ADVANCED AVIATION.
2
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after
3
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall re-
4
designate the Office of NextGen as the Office of Advanced
5
Aviation.
6
(b) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the
7
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint
8
an Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation to head
9
the Office of Advanced Aviation designated under sub-
10
section (a).
11
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The responsibilities of the
12
Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation shall in-
13
clude the following:
14
(1) Coordinate rulemaking and approval proc-
15
esses on matters relating to the standardization and
16
certification of advanced aviation systems for use in
17
the national airspace system.
18
(2) Coordinate rulemaking and approval proc-
19
esses on matters relating to the safe operation and
20
integration of advanced aviation systems in the na-
21
tional airspace system.
22
(3) Coordinate activities and establish policies
23
related to the integration of aeronautical radio fre-
24
quency spectrum designated by the National Tele-
25
communications and Information Administration of
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•HR 220 IH
the Department of Commerce for use in the national
1
airspace system.
2
(4) Coordinate workforce planning across rel-
3
evant offices of the Administration to—
4
(A) hire and recruit personnel to—
5
(i) research, develop, test, and evalu-
6
ate advanced aviation systems; and
7
(ii) process applications related to ad-
8
vanced aviation systems in a timely man-
9
ner;
10
(B) develop and submit a quarterly report
11
to the Secretary and the Administrator, includ-
12
ing—
13
(i) core workforce requirements re-
14
lated to the research, development, testing
15
and evaluation of advanced aviation sys-
16
tems by the Administration;
17
(ii) core workforce requirements re-
18
lated to the safety, certification, and oper-
19
ational approval of advanced aviation sys-
20
tems by the Administration; and
21
(iii) recommendations on staffing and
22
budgetary resources needed to address
23
areas of concern.
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•HR 220 IH
(5) Coordinate rulemaking related to the inter-
1
national standardization and environmental effects
2
of advanced aviation systems.
3
(6) Advise the Administrator during internal
4
and interagency coordination and rulemaking on
5
counter-UAS systems and other matters related to
6
advanced aviation systems.
7
(7) Advise the Chief Technology Officer of the
8
Administration on the development of enterprise ar-
9
chitecture.
10
(8) Validate supporting system requirements
11
proposed by the Chief Technology Officer.
12
(9) Consult with the Director of the William J.
13
Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aviation, as
14
redesignated under section 5, to—
15
(A) evaluate technologies related to ad-
16
vanced aviation systems;
17
(B) inform processes and rulemaking re-
18
lated to advanced aviation systems;
19
(C) identify new technologies that qualify
20
as viable advanced aviation systems; and
21
(D) coordinate referral of all technologies
22
to the relevant office of the Administration.
23
(10) Lead aviation rulemaking committees rel-
24
evant to advanced aviation systems.
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•HR 220 IH
(11) Consult with and assign tasks to the Ad-
1
vanced Aviation Advisory Committee.
2
(12) Develop and implement a secure password-
3
protected online portal that allows stakeholders with
4
a new or pending certification or approval applica-
5
tion to review the status of such application, receive
6
notice of deadlines and major certification mile-
7
stones, and identify the Administration office review-
8
ing such application.
9
(13) Implement pilot programs in partnership
10
with advanced aviation stakeholders to provide data
11
to support rulemaking and approval processes.
12
(14) Serve as a representative of the Adminis-
13
tration during interagency coordination of policies
14
related to advanced aviation systems.
15
(15) Promote the safe and responsible integra-
16
tion of advanced aviation systems into the national
17
airspace system.
18
(d) NOTICE OF OBJECTION.—
19
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the respon-
20
sibilities described in subsection (c), the Associate
21
Administrator for Advanced Aviation may submit to
22
the Administrator a notice of objection with respect
23
to—
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•HR 220 IH
(A) a final rule of the Administration re-
1
lated to advanced aviation systems;
2
(B) a determination by the Chief Tech-
3
nology Officer related to the establishment of
4
enterprise architecture or supporting system re-
5
quirements;
6
(C) an airworthiness or type certification
7
determination that relates to an advanced avia-
8
tion system issued in accordance with section
9
44701 or 44704 of title 49, United States
10
Code, or a modification or reversal of such de-
11
termination; and
12
(D) an waiver determination that relates to
13
the operation of an advanced aviation system in
14
the national airspace system issued in accord-
15
ance with section 44701 or 44807 of title 49,
16
United States Code, or a modification or rever-
17
sal of such determination.
18
(2) CONTENTS OF NOTICE.—In each notice of
19
objection submitted under this subsection, the Asso-
20
ciate Administrator shall include an explanation for
21
the basis of each such objection.
22
(3) DETERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR.—Not
23
later than 30 days after receiving a notice of objec-
24
tion under this subsection, the Administrator shall—
25
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•HR 220 IH
(A) determine whether to agree with or
1
overrule such objection; and
2
(B) if the Administrator determines that
3
such objection should be overruled, submit to
4
the Secretary a report explaining the reasons
5
for overruling such objection.
6
(4) DETERMINATION
BY
SECRETARY.—Not
7
later than 30 days after receiving a report submitted
8
under paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary may deter-
9
mine whether to allow the rule, determination, modi-
10
fication, or reversal to which the report relates to
11
proceed. If the Secretary fails to make a determina-
12
tion under this paragraph, the determination made
13
by the Administrator under paragraph (3) shall pro-
14
ceed.
15
(5) IMPLEMENTATION OF RULE.—Any rule or
16
determination that is the subject of a notice of ob-
17
jection submitted under this subsection shall not
18
take effect during the period beginning on the date
19
on which such notice is submitted and ending on the
20
last day of the 30-day period described in paragraph
21
(4).
22
(6) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary
23
shall—
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•HR 220 IH
(A) submit to Congress each notice of ob-
1
jection submitted under paragraph (1);
2
(B) notify Congress of each determination
3
of the Administrator under paragraph (3), and
4
submit to Congress the report required under
5
subparagraph (B) of such paragraph, if applica-
6
ble; and
7
(C) notify Congress of any determination
8
made by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph
9
(4).
10
SEC. 3. OFFICE OF ADVANCED INTEGRATION.
11
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Associate Administrator
12
for Advanced Aviation shall establish an Office of Ad-
13
vanced Integration within the Office of Advanced Aviation.
14
(b) DESIGNATION.—Not later than 1 year after the
15
date of enactment of this Act, the Associate Adminis-
16
trator, in consultation with the Administrator and Sec-
17
retary, shall appoint a Director of Advanced Integration
18
to head the Office of Advanced Integration.
19
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Associate Adminis-
20
trator shall delegate to the Director of Advanced Integra-
21
tion the responsibilities described in paragraphs (1)
22
through (5) of section 2(c).
23
(d) COLLABORATION.—The Director of Advanced In-
24
tegration shall collaborate with—
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•HR 220 IH
(1) the Executive Director of the Aircraft Cer-
1
tification Service of the Administration and the Ex-
2
ecutive Director of the Flight Standards Service of
3
the Administration to carry out the responsibilities
4
described in section 2(c)(1);
5
(2) the Director for Air Traffic Services Oper-
6
ations Planning and Integration of the Administra-
7
tion to carry out the responsibilities described in sec-
8
tion 2(c)(2);
9
(3) the Vice President of Technical Operations
10
of the Air Traffic Organization to carry out the re-
11
sponsibilities described in section 2(c)(3);
12
(4) the Assistant Administrator for Finance
13
and Management of the Administration to carry out
14
the responsibilities described in section 2(c)(4); and
15
(5) the Director of the Office of International
16
Affairs of the Administration and the Director of the
17
Office of Environment and Energy of the Adminis-
18
tration to carry out the responsibilities described in
19
section 2(c)(5).
20
SEC. 4. ADVANCED AVIATION COORDINATION UNIT.
21
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
22
a coordination unit within the Administration to carry out
23
the responsibilities described in subsection (d), to be
24
known as the Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit.
25
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•HR 220 IH
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advanced Aviation Coordi-
1
nation Unit shall consist of the head of each relevant office
2
of the Administration, or an employee representing such
3
office, including—
4
(1) the Office of Advanced Integration estab-
5
lished under section 3;
6
(2) the William J. Hughes Technical Center for
7
Advanced Aviation, as redesignated under section 5;
8
(3) the Office of Aviation Safety;
9
(4) the Aircraft Certification Service;
10
(5) the Flight Standards Service;
11
(6) Air Traffic Organization;
12
(7) the Program Management Organization;
13
(8) Technical Operations Services for the Air
14
Traffic Organization;
15
(9) the Office of Airports;
16
(10) the Office of the Chief Counsel;
17
(11) the Office of Commercial Space Transpor-
18
tation;
19
(12) the Office of Environment and Energy;
20
(13) the office headed by the Chief Technology
21
Officer; and
22
(14) the Office of Finance and Management.
23
(c) CHAIR.—
24
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•HR 220 IH
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of Advanced
1
Integration shall serve as the Chair of the Advanced
2
Aviation Coordination Unit, at the discretion of the
3
Associate Administrator for Advanced Aviation.
4
(2) AUTHORITY.—The Chair may—
5
(A) schedule meetings of the members of
6
the Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit;
7
(B) identify items for the members of the
8
Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit to act on
9
in fulfillment of the responsibilities described in
10
subsection (d); and
11
(C) submit to the Administrator, the Sec-
12
retary, and Congress a notice of noncompliance
13
indicating that a member of the Advanced Avia-
14
tion Coordination Unit failed to participate in
15
the Coordination Unit to the extent necessary
16
to fulfill such responsibilities.
17
(3) CONSULTATION.—The Chair shall consult
18
with the Director of the William J. Hughes Tech-
19
nical Center for Advanced Aviation to identify new
20
aviation-related technologies through the aviation in-
21
novation program established under section 5(c).
22
(d) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The members of the Ad-
23
vanced Aviation Coordination Unit shall collaborate to—
24
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•HR 220 IH
(1) promote the safe and responsible integration
1
of advanced aviation systems into the national air-
2
space system;
3
(2) establish or improve processes related to
4
such integration;
5
(3) establish or improve processes related to the
6
certification of advanced aviation systems;
7
(4) develop clear and consistent standards re-
8
lated to advanced aviation systems;
9
(5) ensure that determinations of the Adminis-
10
tration related to advanced aviation systems are
11
made in a timely manner;
12
(6) proactively identify, discuss, and act on
13
challenges related to the application and impact of
14
radio frequency spectrum use in the national air-
15
space system; and
16
(7) identify innovative aviation technologies
17
that may be integrated into the national airspace
18
system.
19
(e) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—The Secretary
20
may facilitate coordination between interagency partners
21
and the members of the Advanced Aviation Coordination
22
Unit to fulfill the responsibilities described in subsection
23
(d).
24
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