Summary#
This bill would change how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handles type certification for aircraft and aircraft engines. It would require the FAA to publish plans and guidance to make the certification process more transparent and predictable for new and novel aviation technologies, including advanced air mobility. Key actions in the bill include deadlines for the FAA to:
- Post a public plan (within 180 days) to improve the issue paper process, consider industry consensus standards, create more stable policy, and consider performance-based standards.
- Amend FAA order 8110.112A (within 270 days) to set standard expected timelines for major certification milestones, timing around special conditions and rulemaking, responses to exemption petitions and means-of-compliance proposals, and for applicants to respond to FAA information requests. Complex safety issues are excluded from these timelines.
- Consult with industry trade groups, advanced air mobility stakeholders, infrastructure providers (airports/vertiports), union representatives of FAA safety staff, and other relevant parties when making these changes.
- Report annually to Congressional committees on metrics, performance against timelines, causes for missed timelines, and steps to improve performance.
- Amend FAA guidance (within 180 days) to add clear criteria for when an issue paper is warranted, which FAA roles decide that, how to handle performance-based rule projects, and how to convert stable issue papers into published policies or advisory circulars.
- Publish updated delegation guidance (within 90 days) about when applicants are eligible for delegated certification work, how to classify routine versus safety-critical findings, documentation and review processes, and how delegation supports safety, predictability, and U.S. leadership in new aviation technologies.
- Include a Sense of Congress statement supporting advanced air mobility, U.S. innovation, and global leadership in safe deployment of new aviation technologies.
- Clarify that the timelines the FAA sets would not create new legal rights and would not be subject to judicial review.
The bill also defines terms used in the Act and directs that required matters be included in successor FAA orders if existing orders are changed.
What it means for you#
If this bill becomes law, the FAA would be required to publish plans, timelines, and updated guidance about type certification. The law would:
- Require public plans and timelines for certification steps and responses.
- Require the FAA to consult with industry, infrastructure providers, and FAA staff representatives before making changes.
- Require clearer criteria for when issue papers are needed and how to treat stable technical questions.
- Require updated delegation guidance about when certification tasks can be delegated to applicants or authorized representatives.
These changes would apply to applicants for type certificates, manufacturers, advanced air mobility developers, airports or vertiport planners, and FAA staff.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
The bill includes a Sense of Congress stating that the United States should continue to support advanced air mobility, U.S. innovation, and global leadership in the development and safe deployment of new aviation technologies.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.