[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5900 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.5900

                      One Hundred Eleventh Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
             the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten


                                 An Act


 
  To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and 
  expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend 
  title 49, United States Code, to extend airport improvement program 
  project grant authority and to improve airline safety, and for other 
                                purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Safety and Federal Aviation 
Administration Extension Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1.   Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.

                  TITLE I--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION

Sec. 101. Extension of taxes funding Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Sec. 102. Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure 
          authority.
Sec. 103. Extension of airport improvement program.
Sec. 104. Extension of expiring authorities.
Sec. 105. Federal Aviation Administration operations.
Sec. 106. Air navigation facilities and equipment.
Sec. 107. Research, engineering, and development.

         TITLE II--AIRLINE SAFETY AND PILOT TRAINING IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Secretary of Transportation responses to safety 
          recommendations.
Sec. 203. FAA pilot records database.
Sec. 204. FAA Task Force on Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training.
Sec. 205. Aviation safety inspectors and operational research analysts.
Sec. 206. Flight crewmember mentoring, professional development, and 
          leadership.
Sec. 207. Flight crewmember pairing and crew resource management 
          techniques.
Sec. 208. Implementation of NTSB flight crewmember training 
          recommendations.
Sec. 209. FAA rulemaking on training programs.
Sec. 210. Disclosure of air carriers operating flights for tickets sold 
          for air transportation.
Sec. 211. Safety inspections of regional air carriers.
Sec. 212. Pilot fatigue.
Sec. 213. Voluntary safety programs.
Sec. 214. ASAP and FOQA implementation plan.
Sec. 215. Safety management systems.
Sec. 216. Flight crewmember screening and qualifications.
Sec. 217. Airline transport pilot certification.

                 TITLE I--AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION

    SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND.
    (a) Fuel Taxes.--Subparagraph (B) of section 4081(d)(2) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``August 1, 2010'' 
and inserting ``September 30, 2010''.
    (b) Ticket Taxes.--
        (1) Persons.--Clause (ii) of section 4261(j)(1)(A) of the 
    Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``August 1, 
    2010'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010''.
        (2) Property.--Clause (ii) of section 4271(d)(1)(A) of such 
    Code is amended by striking ``August 1, 2010'' and inserting 
    ``September 30, 2010''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on August 2, 2010.
    SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND EXPENDITURE 
      AUTHORITY.
    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
        (1) by striking ``August 2, 2010'' and inserting ``October 1, 
    2010''; and
        (2) by inserting ``or the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation 
    Administration Extension Act of 2010'' before the semicolon at the 
    end of subparagraph (A).
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 9502(e) of such 
Code is amended by striking ``August 2, 2010'' and inserting ``October 
1, 2010''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on August 2, 2010.
    SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
    Section 47104(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``August 1, 2010,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010,''.
    SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.
    (a) Section 40117(l)(7) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``August 2, 2010.'' and inserting ``October 1, 2010.''.
    (b) Section 44302(f)(1) of such title is amended--
        (1) by striking ``August 1, 2010,'' and inserting ``September 
    30, 2010,''; and
        (2) by striking ``October 31, 2010,'' and inserting ``December 
    31, 2010,''.
    (c) Section 44303(b) of such title is amended by striking ``October 
31, 2010,'' and inserting ``December 31, 2010,''.
    (d) Section 47107(s)(3) of such title is amended by striking 
``August 2, 2010.'' and inserting ``October 1, 2010.''.
    (e) Section 47115(j) of such title is amended by striking ``fiscal 
years 2004 through 2009, and for the portion of fiscal year 2010 ending 
before August 2, 2010,'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2004 through 
2010,''.
    (f) Section 47141(f) of such title is amended by striking ``August 
1, 2010.'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010.''.
    (g) Section 49108 of such title is amended by striking ``August 1, 
2010,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010,''.
    (h) Section 161 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 47109 note) is amended by striking 
``fiscal year 2009, or in the portion of fiscal year 2010 ending before 
August 2, 2010,'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2009 or 2010''.
    (i) Section 186(d) of such Act (117 Stat. 2518) is amended by 
striking ``October 1, 2009, and for the portion of fiscal year 2010 
ending before August 2, 2010,'' and inserting ``October 1, 2010,''.
    (j) The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 
2, 2010.
    SEC. 105. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS.
    Section 106(k)(1)(F) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(F) $9,350,028,000 for fiscal year 2010.''.
    SEC. 106. AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
    Section 48101(a)(6) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
        ``(6) $2,936,203,000 for fiscal year 2010.''.
    SEC. 107. RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT.
    Section 48102(a)(14) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
        ``(14) $190,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.''.

        TITLE II--AIRLINE SAFETY AND PILOT TRAINING IMPROVEMENT

    SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.
    (a) Definitions.--In this title, the following definitions apply:
        (1) Advanced qualification program.--The term ``advanced 
    qualification program'' means the program established by the 
    Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120-54A, dated 
    June 23, 2006, including any subsequent revisions thereto.
        (2) Air carrier.--The term ``air carrier'' has the meaning 
    given that term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
        (3) Aviation safety action program.--The term ``aviation safety 
    action program'' means the program established by the Federal 
    Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120-66B, dated 
    November 15, 2002, including any subsequent revisions thereto.
        (4) Flight crewmember.--The term ``flight crewmember'' has the 
    meaning given the term ``flightcrew member'' in part 1 of title 14, 
    Code of Federal Regulations.
        (5) Flight operational quality assurance program.--The term 
    ``flight operational quality assurance program'' means the program 
    established by the Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory 
    Circular 120-82, dated April 12, 2004, including any subsequent 
    revisions thereto.
        (6) Line operations safety audit.--The term ``line operations 
    safety audit'' means the procedure referenced by the Federal 
    Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120-90, dated April 
    27, 2006, including any subsequent revisions thereto.
        (7) Part 121 air carrier.--The term ``part 121 air carrier'' 
    means an air carrier that holds a certificate issued under part 121 
    of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
        (8) Part 135 air carrier.--The term ``part 135 air carrier'' 
    means an air carrier that holds a certificate issued under part 135 
    of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
    SEC. 202. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RESPONSES TO SAFETY 
      RECOMMENDATIONS.
    (a) In General.--The first sentence of section 1135(a) is amended 
by inserting ``to the Board'' after ``shall give''.
    (b) Air Carrier Safety Recommendations.--Section 1135 is amended--
        (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
        (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Annual Report on Air Carrier Safety Recommendations.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress and 
    the Board, on an annual basis, a report on the recommendations made 
    by the Board to the Secretary regarding air carrier operations 
    conducted under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
        ``(2) Recommendations to be covered.--The report shall cover--
            ``(A) any recommendation for which the Secretary has 
        developed, or intends to develop, procedures to adopt the 
        recommendation or part of the recommendation, but has yet to 
        complete the procedures; and
            ``(B) any recommendation for which the Secretary, in the 
        preceding year, has issued a response under subsection (a)(2) 
        or (a)(3) refusing to carry out all or part of the procedures 
        to adopt the recommendation.
        ``(3) Contents.--
            ``(A) Plans to adopt recommendations.--For each 
        recommendation of the Board described in paragraph (2)(A), the 
        report shall contain--
                ``(i) a description of the recommendation;
                ``(ii) a description of the procedures planned for 
            adopting the recommendation or part of the recommendation;
                ``(iii) the proposed date for completing the 
            procedures; and
                ``(iv) if the Secretary has not met a deadline 
            contained in a proposed timeline developed in connection 
            with the recommendation under subsection (b), an 
            explanation for not meeting the deadline.
            ``(B) Refusals to adopt recommendations.--For each 
        recommendation of the Board described in paragraph (2)(B), the 
        report shall contain--
                ``(i) a description of the recommendation; and
                ``(ii) a description of the reasons for the refusal to 
            carry out all or part of the procedures to adopt the 
            recommendation.''.
    SEC. 203. FAA PILOT RECORDS DATABASE.
    (a) Records of Employment of Pilot Applicants.--Section 44703(h) of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
        ``(16) Applicability.--This subsection shall cease to be 
    effective on the date specified in regulations issued under 
    subsection (i).''.
    (b) Establishment of FAA Pilot Records Database.--Section 44703 of 
such title is amended--
        (1) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections (j) 
    and (k), respectively; and
        (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following:
    ``(i) FAA Pilot Records Database.--
        ``(1) In general.--Before allowing an individual to begin 
    service as a pilot, an air carrier shall access and evaluate, in 
    accordance with the requirements of this subsection, information 
    pertaining to the individual from the pilot records database 
    established under paragraph (2).
        ``(2) Pilot records database.--The Administrator shall 
    establish an electronic database (in this subsection referred to as 
    the `database') containing the following records:
            ``(A) FAA records.--From the Administrator--
                ``(i) records that are maintained by the Administrator 
            concerning current airman certificates, including airman 
            medical certificates and associated type ratings and 
            information on any limitations to those certificates and 
            ratings;
                ``(ii) records that are maintained by the Administrator 
            concerning any failed attempt of an individual to pass a 
            practical test required to obtain a certificate or type 
            rating under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
            Regulations; and
                ``(iii) summaries of legal enforcement actions 
            resulting in a finding by the Administrator of a violation 
            of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued 
            under this title that was not subsequently overturned.
            ``(B) Air carrier and other records.--From any air carrier 
        or other person (except a branch of the Armed Forces, the 
        National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces) 
        that has employed an individual as a pilot of a civil or public 
        aircraft, or from the trustee in bankruptcy for the air carrier 
        or person--
                ``(i) records pertaining to the individual that are 
            maintained by the air carrier (other than records relating 
            to flight time, duty time, or rest time) or person, 
            including records under regulations set forth in--

                    ``(I) section 121.683 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
                    ``(II) section 121.111(a) of such title;
                    ``(III) section 121.219(a) of such title;
                    ``(IV) section 125.401 of such title; and
                    ``(V) section 135.63(a)(4) of such title; and

                ``(ii) other records pertaining to the individual's 
            performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air 
            carrier or person concerning--

                    ``(I) the training, qualifications, proficiency, or 
                professional competence of the individual, including 
                comments and evaluations made by a check airman 
                designated in accordance with section 121.411, 125.295, 
                or 135.337 of such title;
                    ``(II) any disciplinary action taken with respect 
                to the individual that was not subsequently overturned; 
                and
                    ``(III) any release from employment or resignation, 
                termination, or disqualification with respect to 
                employment.

            ``(C) National driver register records.--In accordance with 
        section 30305(b)(8) of this title, from the chief driver 
        licensing official of a State, information concerning the motor 
        vehicle driving record of the individual.
        ``(3) Written consent; release from liability.--An air 
    carrier--
            ``(A) shall obtain the written consent of an individual 
        before accessing records pertaining to the individual under 
        paragraph (1); and
            ``(B) may, notwithstanding any other provision of law or 
        agreement to the contrary, require an individual with respect 
        to whom the carrier is accessing records under paragraph (1) to 
        execute a release from liability for any claim arising from 
        accessing the records or the use of such records by the air 
        carrier in accordance with this section (other than a claim 
        arising from furnishing information known to be false and 
        maintained in violation of a criminal statute).
        ``(4) Reporting.--
            ``(A) Reporting by administrator.--The Administrator shall 
        enter data described in paragraph (2)(A) into the database 
        promptly to ensure that an individual's records are current.
            ``(B) Reporting by air carriers and other persons.--
                ``(i) In general.--Air carriers and other persons shall 
            report data described in paragraphs (2)(B) and (2)(C) to 
            the Administrator promptly for entry into the database.
                ``(ii) Data to be reported.--Air carriers and other 
            persons shall report, at a minimum, under clause (i) the 
            following data described in paragraph (2)(B):

                    ``(I) Records that are generated by the air carrier 
                or other person after the date of enactment of this 
                paragraph.
                    ``(II) Records that the air carrier or other person 
                is maintaining, on such date of enactment, pursuant to 
                subsection (h)(4).

        ``(5) Requirement to maintain records.--The Administrator--
            ``(A) shall maintain all records entered into the database 
        under paragraph (2) pertaining to an individual until the date 
        of receipt of notification that the individual is deceased; and
            ``(B) may remove the individual's records from the database 
        after that date.
        ``(6) Receipt of consent.--The Administrator shall not permit 
    an air carrier to access records pertaining to an individual from 
    the database under paragraph (1) without the air carrier first 
    demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the air 
    carrier has obtained the written consent of the individual.
        ``(7) Right of pilot to review certain records and correct 
    inaccuracies.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or 
    agreement, the Administrator, upon receipt of written request from 
    an individual--
            ``(A) shall make available, not later than 30 days after 
        the date of the request, to the individual for review all 
        records referred to in paragraph (2) pertaining to the 
        individual; and
            ``(B) shall provide the individual with a reasonable 
        opportunity to submit written comments to correct any 
        inaccuracies contained in the records.
        ``(8) Reasonable charges for processing requests and furnishing 
    copies.--
            ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may establish a 
        reasonable charge for the cost of processing a request under 
        paragraph (1) or (7) and for the cost of furnishing copies of 
        requested records under paragraph (7).
            ``(B) Crediting appropriations.--Funds received by the 
        Administrator pursuant to this paragraph shall--
                ``(i) be credited to the appropriation current when the 
            amount is received;
                ``(ii) be merged with and available for the purposes of 
            such appropriation; and
                ``(iii) remain available until expended.
        ``(9) Privacy protections.--
            ``(A) Use of records.--An air carrier that accesses records 
        pertaining to an individual under paragraph (1) may use the 
        records only to assess the qualifications of the individual in 
        deciding whether or not to hire the individual as a pilot. The 
        air carrier shall take such actions as may be necessary to 
        protect the privacy of the individual and the confidentiality 
        of the records accessed, including ensuring that information 
        contained in the records is not divulged to any individual that 
        is not directly involved in the hiring decision.
            ``(B) Disclosure of information.--
                ``(i) In general.--Except as provided by clause (ii), 
            information collected by the Administrator under paragraph 
            (2) shall be exempt from the disclosure requirements of 
            section 552 of title 5.
                ``(ii) Exceptions.--Clause (i) shall not apply to--

                    ``(I) deidentified, summarized information to 
                explain the need for changes in policies and 
                regulations;
                    ``(II) information to correct a condition that 
                compromises safety;
                    ``(III) information to carry out a criminal 
                investigation or prosecution;
                    ``(IV) information to comply with section 44905, 
                regarding information about threats to civil aviation; 
                and
                    ``(V) such information as the Administrator 
                determines necessary, if withholding the information 
                would not be consistent with the safety 
                responsibilities of the Federal Aviation 
                Administration.

        ``(10) Periodic review.--Not later than 18 months after the 
    date of enactment of this paragraph, and at least once every 3 
    years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a 
    statement that contains, taking into account recent developments in 
    the aviation industry--
            ``(A) recommendations by the Administrator concerning 
        proposed changes to Federal Aviation Administration records, 
        air carrier records, and other records required to be included 
        in the database under paragraph (2); or
            ``(B) reasons why the Administrator does not recommend any 
        proposed changes to the records referred to in subparagraph 
        (A).
        ``(11) Regulations for protection and security of records.--The 
    Administrator shall prescribe such regulations as may be 
    necessary--
            ``(A) to protect and secure--
                ``(i) the personal privacy of any individual whose 
            records are accessed under paragraph (1); and
                ``(ii) the confidentiality of those records; and
            ``(B) to preclude the further dissemination of records 
        received under paragraph (1) by the person who accessed the 
        records.
        ``(12) Good faith exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an 
    air carrier may allow an individual to begin service as a pilot, 
    without first obtaining information described in paragraph (2)(B) 
    from the database pertaining to the individual, if--
            ``(A) the air carrier has made a documented good faith 
        attempt to access the information from the database; and
            ``(B) the air carrier has received written notice from the 
        Administrator that the information is not contained in the 
        database because the individual was employed by an air carrier 
        or other person that no longer exists or by a foreign 
        government or other entity that has not provided the 
        information to the database.
        ``(13) Limitations on electronic access to records.--
            ``(A) Access by individuals designated by air carriers.--
        For the purpose of increasing timely and efficient access to 
        records described in paragraph (2), the Administrator may 
        allow, under terms established by the Administrator, an 
        individual designated by an air carrier to have electronic 
        access to the database.
            ``(B) Terms.--The terms established by the Administrator 
        under subparagraph (A) for allowing a designated individual to 
        have electronic access to the database shall limit such access 
        to instances in which information in the database is required 
        by the designated individual in making a hiring decision 
        concerning a pilot applicant and shall require that the 
        designated individual provide assurances satisfactory to the 
        Administrator that--
                ``(i) the designated individual has received the 
            written consent of the pilot applicant to access the 
            information; and
                ``(ii) information obtained using such access will not 
            be used for any purpose other than making the hiring 
            decision.
        ``(14) Authorized expenditures.--Of amounts appropriated under 
    section 106(k)(1), a total of $6,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 
    through 2013 may be used to carry out this subsection.
        ``(15) Regulations.--
            ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall issue 
        regulations to carry out this subsection.
            ``(B) Effective date.--The regulations shall specify the 
        date on which the requirements of this subsection take effect 
        and the date on which the requirements of subsection (h) cease 
        to be effective.
            ``(C) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (B)--
                ``(i) the Administrator shall begin to establish the 
            database under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days after 
            the date of enactment of this paragraph;
                ``(ii) the Administrator shall maintain records in 
            accordance with paragraph (5) beginning on the date of 
            enactment of this paragraph; and
                ``(iii) air carriers and other persons shall maintain 
            records to be reported to the database under paragraph 
            (4)(B) in the period beginning on such date of enactment 
            and ending on the date that is 5 years after the 
            requirements of subsection (h) cease to be effective 
            pursuant to subparagraph (B).
        ``(16) Special rule.--During the one-year period beginning on 
    the date on which the requirements of this section become effective 
    pursuant to paragraph (15)(B), paragraph (7)(A) shall be applied by 
    substituting `45 days' for `30 days'.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
        (1) Limitation on liability; preemption of state law.--Section 
    44703(j) (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this section) is 
    amended--
            (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``Limitation'' 
        and inserting ``Limitations'';
            (B) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
            striking ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``subsection 
            (h)(2) or (i)(3)'';
                (ii) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or accessing 
            the records of that individual under subsection (i)(1)'' 
            before the semicolon; and
                (iii) in the matter following subparagraph (D) by 
            striking ``subsection (h)'' and inserting ``subsection (h) 
            or (i)'';
            (C) in paragraph (2) by striking ``subsection (h)'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (h) or (i)'';
            (D) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A), by inserting ``or who furnished information to the 
        database established under subsection (i)(2)'' after 
        ``subsection (h)(1)''; and
            (E) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(4) Prohibition on actions and proceedings against air 
    carriers.--
            ``(A) Hiring decisions.--An air carrier may refuse to hire 
        an individual as a pilot if the individual did not provide 
        written consent for the air carrier to receive records under 
        subsection (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute the 
        release from liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or 
        (i)(3)(B).
            ``(B) Actions and proceedings.--No action or proceeding may 
        be brought against an air carrier by or on behalf of an 
        individual who has applied for or is seeking a position as a 
        pilot with the air carrier if the air carrier refused to hire 
        the individual after the individual did not provide written 
        consent for the air carrier to receive records under subsection 
        (h)(2)(A) or (i)(3)(A) or did not execute a release from 
        liability requested under subsection (h)(2)(B) or (i)(3)(B).''.
        (2) Limitation on statutory construction.--Section 44703(k) (as 
    redesignated by subsection (b)(1) of this section) is amended by 
    striking ``subsection (h)'' and inserting ``subsection (h) or 
    (i)''.
    SEC. 204. FAA TASK FORCE ON AIR CARRIER SAFETY AND PILOT TRAINING.
    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall establish a special task force to be known as the 
FAA Task Force on Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training (in this 
section referred to as the ``Task Force'').
    (b) Composition.--The Task Force shall consist of members appointed 
by the Administrator and shall include air carrier representatives, 
labor union representatives, and aviation safety experts with knowledge 
of foreign and domestic regulatory requirements for flight crewmember 
education and training.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force shall include, at a 
minimum, evaluating best practices in the air carrier industry and 
providing recommendations in the following areas:
        (1) Air carrier management responsibilities for flight 
    crewmember education and support.
        (2) Flight crewmember professional standards.
        (3) Flight crewmember training standards and performance.
        (4) Mentoring and information sharing between air carriers.
    (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and before the last day of each one-year period thereafter 
until termination of the Task Force, the Task Force shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report detailing--
        (1) the progress of the Task Force in identifying best 
    practices in the air carrier industry;
        (2) the progress of air carriers and labor unions in 
    implementing the best practices identified by the Task Force;
        (3) recommendations of the Task Force, if any, for legislative 
    or regulatory actions;
        (4) the progress of air carriers and labor unions in 
    implementing training-related, nonregulatory actions recommended by 
    the Administrator; and
        (5) the progress of air carriers in developing specific 
    programs to share safety data and ensure implementation of the most 
    effective safety practices.
    (e) Termination.--The Task Force shall terminate on September 30, 
2012.
    (f) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task 
Force.
    SEC. 205. AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTORS AND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH 
      ANALYSTS.
    (a) Review by DOT Inspector General.--Not later than 9 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall conduct a review of the aviation 
safety inspectors and operational research analysts of the Federal 
Aviation Administration assigned to part 121 air carriers and submit to 
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration a report on 
the results of the review.
    (b) Purposes.--The purpose of the review shall be, at a minimum--
        (1) to review the level of the Administration's oversight of 
    each part 121 air carrier;
        (2) to make recommendations to ensure that each part 121 air 
    carrier is receiving an equivalent level of oversight;
        (3) to assess the number and level of experience of aviation 
    safety inspectors assigned to each part 121 air carrier;
        (4) to evaluate how the Administration is making assignments of 
    aviation safety inspectors to each part 121 air carrier;
        (5) to review various safety inspector oversight programs, 
    including the geographic inspector program;
        (6) to evaluate the adequacy of the number of operational 
    research analysts assigned to each part 121 air carrier;
        (7) to evaluate the surveillance responsibilities of aviation 
    safety inspectors, including en route inspections;
        (8) to evaluate whether inspectors are able to effectively use 
    data sources, such as the Safety Performance Analysis System and 
    the Air Transportation Oversight System, to assist in targeting 
    oversight of each part 121 air carrier;
        (9) to assess the feasibility of establishment by the 
    Administration of a comprehensive repository of information that 
    encompasses multiple Administration data sources and allows access 
    by aviation safety inspectors and operational research analysts to 
    assist in the oversight of each part 121 air carrier; and
        (10) to conduct such other analyses as the Inspector General 
    considers relevant to the review.
    SEC. 206. FLIGHT CREWMEMBER MENTORING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, 
      AND LEADERSHIP.
    (a) Aviation Rulemaking Committee.--
        (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
    Administration shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to 
    develop procedures for each part 121 air carrier to take the 
    following actions:
            (A) Establish flight crewmember mentoring programs under 
        which the air carrier will pair highly experienced flight 
        crewmembers who will serve as mentor pilots and be paired with 
        newly employed flight crewmembers. Mentor pilots should be 
        provided, at a minimum, specific instruction on techniques for 
        instilling and reinforcing the highest standards of technical 
        performance, airmanship, and professionalism in newly employed 
        flight crewmembers.
            (B) Establish flight crewmember professional development 
        committees made up of air carrier management and labor union or 
        professional association representatives to develop, 
        administer, and oversee formal mentoring programs of the 
        carrier to assist flight crewmembers to reach their maximum 
        potential as safe, seasoned, and proficient flight crewmembers.
            (C) Establish or modify training programs to accommodate 
        substantially different levels and types of flight experience 
        by newly employed flight crewmembers.
            (D) Establish or modify training programs for second-in-
        command flight crewmembers attempting to qualify as pilot-in-
        command flight crewmembers for the first time in a specific 
        aircraft type and ensure that such programs include leadership 
        and command training.
            (E) Ensure that recurrent training for pilots in command 
        includes leadership and command training.
            (F) Such other actions as the aviation rulemaking committee 
        determines appropriate to enhance flight crewmember 
        professional development.
        (2) Compliance with sterile cockpit rule.--Leadership and 
    command training described in paragraphs (1)(D) and (1)(E) shall 
    include instruction on compliance with flight crewmember duties 
    under part 121.542 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
        (3) Streamlined program review.--
            (A) In general.--As part of the rulemaking required by 
        subsection (b), the Administrator shall establish a streamlined 
        review process for part 121 air carriers that have in effect, 
        as of the date of enactment of this Act, the programs described 
        in paragraph (1).
            (B) Expedited approvals.--Under the streamlined review 
        process, the Administrator shall--
                (i) review the programs of such part 121 air carriers 
            to determine whether the programs meet the requirements set 
            forth in the final rule referred to in subsection (b)(2); 
            and
                (ii) expedite the approval of the programs that the 
            Administrator determines meet such requirements.
    (b) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall issue--
        (1) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
    Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking based on the recommendations 
    of the aviation rulemaking committee convened under subsection (a); 
    and
        (2) not later than 36 months after such date of enactment, a 
    final rule based on such recommendations.
    SEC. 207. FLIGHT CREWMEMBER PAIRING AND CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
      TECHNIQUES.
    (a) Study.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall conduct a study on aviation industry best 
practices with regard to flight crewmember pairing, crew resource 
management techniques, and pilot commuting.
    (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report on the results of the study.
    SEC. 208. IMPLEMENTATION OF NTSB FLIGHT CREWMEMBER TRAINING 
      RECOMMENDATIONS.
    (a) Rulemaking Proceedings.--
        (1) Stall and upset recognition and recovery training.--The 
    Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct 
    a rulemaking proceeding to require part 121 air carriers to provide 
    flight crewmembers with ground training and flight training or 
    flight simulator training--
            (A) to recognize and avoid a stall of an aircraft or, if 
        not avoided, to recover from the stall; and
            (B) to recognize and avoid an upset of an aircraft or, if 
        not avoided, to execute such techniques as available data 
        indicate are appropriate to recover from the upset in a given 
        make, model, and series of aircraft.
        (2) Remedial training programs.--The Administrator shall 
    conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require part 121 air carriers to 
    establish remedial training programs for flight crewmembers who 
    have demonstrated performance deficiencies or experienced failures 
    in the training environment.
        (3) Deadlines.--The Administrator shall--
            (A) not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, issue a notice of proposed rulemaking under each of 
        paragraphs (1) and (2); and
            (B) not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, issue a final rule for the rulemaking under each of 
        paragraphs (1) and (2).
    (b) Stick Pusher Training and Weather Event Training.--
        (1) Multidisciplinary panel.--Not later than 120 days after the 
    date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene a 
    multidisciplinary panel of specialists in aircraft operations, 
    flight crewmember training, human factors, and aviation safety to 
    study and submit to the Administrator a report on methods to 
    increase the familiarity of flight crewmembers with, and improve 
    the response of flight crewmembers to, stick pusher systems, icing 
    conditions, and microburst and windshear weather events.
        (2) Report to congress and ntsb.--Not later than one year after 
    the date on which the Administrator convenes the panel, the 
    Administrator shall--
            (A) submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee 
        on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the 
        National Transportation Safety Board a report based on the 
        findings of the panel; and
            (B) with respect to stick pusher systems, initiate 
        appropriate actions to implement the recommendations of the 
        panel.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
        (1) Flight training and flight simulator.--The terms ``flight 
    training'' and ``flight simulator'' have the meanings given those 
    terms in part 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
    successor regulation).
        (2) Stall.--The term ``stall'' means an aerodynamic loss of 
    lift caused by exceeding the critical angle of attack.
        (3) Stick pusher.--The term ``stick pusher'' means a device 
    that, at or near a stall, applies a nose down pitch force to an 
    aircraft's control columns to attempt to decrease the aircraft's 
    angle of attack.
        (4) Upset.--The term ``upset'' means an unusual aircraft 
    attitude.
    SEC. 209. FAA RULEMAKING ON TRAINING PROGRAMS.
    (a) Completion of Rulemaking on Training Programs.--Not later than 
14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue a final rule with 
respect to the notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal 
Register on January 12, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg. 1280; relating to training 
programs for flight crewmembers and aircraft dispatchers).
    (b) Expert Panel To Review Part 121 and Part 135 Training Hours.--
        (1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene a 
    multidisciplinary expert panel comprised of, at a minimum, air 
    carrier representatives, training facility representatives, 
    instructional design experts, aircraft manufacturers, safety 
    organization representatives, and labor union representatives.
        (2) Assessment and recommendations.--The panel shall assess and 
    make recommendations concerning--
            (A) the best methods and optimal time needed for flight 
        crewmembers of part 121 air carriers and flight crewmembers of 
        part 135 air carriers to master aircraft systems, maneuvers, 
        procedures, takeoffs and landings, and crew coordination;
            (B) initial and recurrent testing requirements for pilots, 
        including the rigor and consistency of testing programs such as 
        check rides;
            (C) the optimal length of time between training events for 
        such flight crewmembers, including recurrent training events;
            (D) the best methods reliably to evaluate mastery by such 
        flight crewmembers of aircraft systems, maneuvers, procedures, 
        takeoffs and landings, and crew coordination;
            (E) classroom instruction requirements governing curriculum 
        content and hours of instruction;
            (F) the best methods to allow specific academic training 
        courses to be credited toward the total flight hours required 
        to receive an airline transport pilot certificate; and
            (G) crew leadership training.
        (3) Best practices.--In making recommendations under subsection 
    (b)(2), the panel shall consider, if appropriate, best practices in 
    the aviation industry with respect to training protocols, methods, 
    and procedures.
        (4) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
    Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
    Transportation of the Senate, and the National Transportation 
    Safety Board a report based on the findings of the panel.
    SEC. 210. DISCLOSURE OF AIR CARRIERS OPERATING FLIGHTS FOR TICKETS 
      SOLD FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION.
    Section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(c) Disclosure Requirement for Sellers of Tickets for Flights.--
        ``(1) In general.--It shall be an unfair or deceptive practice 
    under subsection (a) for any ticket agent, air carrier, foreign air 
    carrier, or other person offering to sell tickets for air 
    transportation on a flight of an air carrier to fail to disclose, 
    whether verbally in oral communication or in writing in written or 
    electronic communication, prior to the purchase of a ticket--
            ``(A) the name of the air carrier providing the air 
        transportation; and
            ``(B) if the flight has more than one flight segment, the 
        name of each air carrier providing the air transportation for 
        each such flight segment.
        ``(2) Internet offers.--In the case of an offer to sell tickets 
    described in paragraph (1) on an Internet Web site, disclosure of 
    the information required by paragraph (1) shall be provided on the 
    first display of the Web site following a search of a requested 
    itinerary in a format that is easily visible to a viewer.''.
    SEC. 211. SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF REGIONAL AIR CARRIERS.
    The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
perform, not less frequently than once each year, random, onsite 
inspections of air carriers that provide air transportation pursuant to 
a contract with a part 121 air carrier to ensure that such air carriers 
are complying with all applicable safety standards of the 
Administration.
    SEC. 212. PILOT FATIGUE.
    (a) Flight and Duty Time Regulations.--
        (1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (3), the 
    Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue 
    regulations, based on the best available scientific information, to 
    specify limitations on the hours of flight and duty time allowed 
    for pilots to address problems relating to pilot fatigue.
        (2) Matters to be addressed.--In conducting the rulemaking 
    proceeding under this subsection, the Administrator shall consider 
    and review the following:
            (A) Time of day of flights in a duty period.
            (B) Number of takeoff and landings in a duty period.
            (C) Number of time zones crossed in a duty period.
            (D) The impact of functioning in multiple time zones or on 
        different daily schedules.
            (E) Research conducted on fatigue, sleep, and circadian 
        rhythms.
            (F) Sleep and rest requirements recommended by the National 
        Transportation Safety Board and the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration.
            (G) International standards regarding flight schedules and 
        duty periods.
            (H) Alternative procedures to facilitate alertness in the 
        cockpit.
            (I) Scheduling and attendance policies and practices, 
        including sick leave.
            (J) The effects of commuting, the means of commuting, and 
        the length of the commute.
            (K) Medical screening and treatment.
            (L) Rest environments.
            (M) Any other matters the Administrator considers 
        appropriate.
        (3) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall issue--
            (A) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1); 
        and
            (B) not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, a final rule under paragraph (1).
    (b) Fatigue Risk Management Plan.--
        (1) Submission of fatigue risk management plan by part 121 air 
    carriers.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
    this Act, each part 121 air carrier shall submit to the 
    Administrator for review and acceptance a fatigue risk management 
    plan for the carrier's pilots.
        (2) Contents of plan.--A fatigue risk management plan submitted 
    by a part 121 air carrier under paragraph (1) shall include the 
    following:
            (A) Current flight time and duty period limitations.
            (B) A rest scheme consistent with such limitations that 
        enables the management of pilot fatigue, including annual 
        training to increase awareness of--
                (i) fatigue;
                (ii) the effects of fatigue on pilots; and
                (iii) fatigue countermeasures.
            (C) Development and use of a methodology that continually 
        assesses the effectiveness of the program, including the 
        ability of the program--
                (i) to improve alertness; and
                (ii) to mitigate performance errors.
        (3) Review.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall review and accept or 
    reject the fatigue risk management plans submitted under this 
    subsection. If the Administrator rejects a plan, the Administrator 
    shall provide suggested modifications for resubmission of the plan.
        (4) Plan updates.--
            (A) In general.--A part 121 air carrier shall update its 
        fatigue risk management plan under paragraph (1) every 2 years 
        and submit the update to the Administrator for review and 
        acceptance.
            (B) Review.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
        submission of a plan update under subparagraph (A), the 
        Administrator shall review and accept or reject the update. If 
        the Administrator rejects an update, the Administrator shall 
        provide suggested modifications for resubmission of the update.
        (5) Compliance.--A part 121 air carrier shall comply with the 
    fatigue risk management plan of the air carrier that is accepted by 
    the Administrator under this subsection.
        (6) Civil penalties.--A violation of this subsection by a part 
    121 air carrier shall be treated as a violation of chapter 447 of 
    title 49, United States Code, for purposes of the application of 
    civil penalties under chapter 463 of that title.
    (c) Effect of Commuting on Fatigue.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into 
    appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to 
    conduct a study of the effects of commuting on pilot fatigue and 
    report its findings to the Administrator.
        (2) Study.--In conducting the study, the National Academy of 
    Sciences shall consider--
            (A) the prevalence of pilot commuting in the commercial air 
        carrier industry, including the number and percentage of pilots 
        who commute;
            (B) information relating to commuting by pilots, including 
        distances traveled, time zones crossed, time spent, and methods 
        used;
            (C) research on the impact of commuting on pilot fatigue, 
        sleep, and circadian rhythms;
            (D) commuting policies of commercial air carriers 
        (including passenger and all-cargo air carriers), including 
        pilot check-in requirements and sick leave and fatigue 
        policies;
            (E) postconference materials from the Federal Aviation 
        Administration's June 2008 symposium titled ``Aviation Fatigue 
        Management Symposium: Partnerships for Solutions'';
            (F) Federal Aviation Administration and international 
        policies and guidance regarding commuting; and
            (G) any other matters as the Administrator considers 
        appropriate.
        (3) Preliminary findings.--Not later than 120 days after the 
    date of entering into arrangements under paragraph (1), the 
    National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Administrator its 
    preliminary findings under the study.
        (4) Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of entering 
    into arrangements under paragraph (1), the National Academy of 
    Sciences shall submit a report to the Administrator containing its 
    findings under the study and any recommendations for regulatory or 
    administrative actions by the Federal Aviation Administration 
    concerning commuting by pilots.
        (5) Rulemaking.--Following receipt of the report of the 
    National Academy of Sciences under paragraph (4), the Administrator 
    shall--
            (A) consider the findings and recommendations in the 
        report; and
            (B) update, as appropriate based on scientific data, 
        regulations required by subsection (a) on flight and duty time.
    SEC. 213. VOLUNTARY SAFETY PROGRAMS.
    (a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the aviation safety action 
program, the flight operational quality assurance program, the line 
operations safety audit, and the advanced qualification program.
    (b) Contents.--The report shall include--
        (1) a list of--
            (A) which air carriers are using one or more of the 
        voluntary safety programs referred to in subsection (a); and
            (B) the voluntary safety programs each air carrier is 
        using;
        (2) if an air carrier is not using one or more of the voluntary 
    safety programs--
            (A) a list of such programs the carrier is not using; and
            (B) the reasons the carrier is not using each such program;
        (3) if an air carrier is using one or more of the voluntary 
    safety programs, an explanation of the benefits and challenges of 
    using each such program;
        (4) a detailed analysis of how the Administration is using data 
    derived from each of the voluntary safety programs as safety 
    analysis and accident or incident prevention tools and a detailed 
    plan on how the Administration intends to expand data analysis of 
    such programs;
        (5) an explanation of--
            (A) where the data derived from the voluntary safety 
        programs is stored;
            (B) how the data derived from such programs is protected 
        and secured; and
            (C) what data analysis processes air carriers are 
        implementing to ensure the effective use of the data derived 
        from such programs;
        (6) a description of the extent to which aviation safety 
    inspectors are able to review data derived from the voluntary 
    safety programs to enhance their oversight responsibilities;
        (7) a description of how the Administration plans to 
    incorporate operational trends identified under the voluntary 
    safety programs into the air transport oversight system and other 
    surveillance databases so that such system and databases are more 
    effectively utilized;
        (8) other plans to strengthen the voluntary safety programs, 
    taking into account reviews of such programs by the Inspector 
    General of the Department of Transportation; and
        (9) such other matters as the Administrator determines are 
    appropriate.
    SEC. 214. ASAP AND FOQA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
    (a) Development and Implementation Plan.--The Administrator of the 
Federal Aviation Administration shall develop and implement a plan to 
facilitate the establishment of an aviation safety action program and a 
flight operational quality assurance program by all part 121 air 
carriers.
    (b) Matters To Be Considered.--In developing the plan under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider--
        (1) how the Administration can assist part 121 air carriers 
    with smaller fleet sizes to derive a benefit from establishing a 
    flight operational quality assurance program;
        (2) how part 121 air carriers with established aviation safety 
    action and flight operational quality assurance programs can 
    quickly begin to report data into the aviation safety information 
    analysis sharing database; and
        (3) how part 121 air carriers and aviation safety inspectors 
    can better utilize data from such database as accident and incident 
    prevention tools.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
copy of the plan developed under subsection (a) and an explanation of 
how the Administration will implement the plan.
    (d) Deadline for Beginning Implementation of Plan.--Not later than 
one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall begin implementation of the plan developed under subsection (a).
    SEC. 215. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
    (a) Rulemaking.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require all 
part 121 air carriers to implement a safety management system.
    (b) Matters To Consider.--In conducting the rulemaking under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider, at a minimum, 
including each of the following as a part of the safety management 
system:
        (1) An aviation safety action program.
        (2) A flight operational quality assurance program.
        (3) A line operations safety audit.
        (4) An advanced qualification program.
    (c) Deadlines.--The Administrator shall issue--
        (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
    Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (a); and
        (2) not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of 
    this Act, a final rule under subsection (a).
    (d) Safety Management System Defined.--In this section, the term 
``safety management system'' means the program established by the 
Federal Aviation Administration in Advisory Circular 120-92, dated June 
22, 2006, including any subsequent revisions thereto.
    SEC. 216. FLIGHT CREWMEMBER SCREENING AND QUALIFICATIONS.
    (a) Requirements.--
        (1) Rulemaking proceeding.--The Administrator of the Federal 
    Aviation Administration shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to 
    require part 121 air carriers to develop and implement means and 
    methods for ensuring that flight crewmembers have proper 
    qualifications and experience.
        (2) Minimum requirements.--
            (A) Prospective flight crewmembers.--Rules issued under 
        paragraph (1) shall ensure that prospective flight crewmembers 
        undergo comprehensive preemployment screening, including an 
        assessment of the skills, aptitudes, airmanship, and 
        suitability of each applicant for a position as a flight 
        crewmember in terms of functioning effectively in the air 
        carrier's operational environment.
            (B) All flight crewmembers.--Rules issued under paragraph 
        (1) shall ensure that, after the date that is 3 years after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, all flight crewmembers--
                (i) have obtained an airline transport pilot 
            certificate under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
            Regulations; and
                (ii) have appropriate multi-engine aircraft flight 
            experience, as determined by the Administrator.
    (b) Deadlines.--The Administrator shall issue--
        (1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
    Act, a notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (a); and
        (2) not later than 24 months after such date of enactment, a 
    final rule under subsection (a).
    (c) Default.--The requirement that each flight crewmember for a 
part 121 air carrier hold an airline transport pilot certificate under 
part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall begin to apply 
on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act 
even if the Administrator fails to meet a deadline established under 
this section.
    SEC. 217. AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATION.
    (a) Rulemaking Proceeding.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to amend 
part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to modify 
requirements for the issuance of an airline transport pilot 
certificate.
    (b) Minimum Requirements.--To be qualified to receive an airline 
transport pilot certificate pursuant to subsection (a), an individual 
shall--
        (1) have sufficient flight hours, as determined by the 
    Administrator, to enable a pilot to function effectively in an air 
    carrier operational environment; and
        (2) have received flight training, academic training, or 
    operational experience that will prepare a pilot, at a minimum, 
    to--
            (A) function effectively in a multipilot environment;
            (B) function effectively in adverse weather conditions, 
        including icing conditions;
            (C) function effectively during high altitude operations;
            (D) adhere to the highest professional standards; and
            (E) function effectively in an air carrier operational 
        environment.
    (c) Flight Hours.--
        (1) Numbers of flight hours.--The total flight hours required 
    by the Administrator under subsection (b)(1) shall be at least 
    1,500 flight hours.
        (2) Flight hours in difficult operational conditions.--The 
    total flight hours required by the Administrator under subsection 
    (b)(1) shall include sufficient flight hours, as determined by the 
    Administrator, in difficult operational conditions that may be 
    encountered by an air carrier to enable a pilot to operate safely 
    in such conditions.
    (d) Credit Toward Flight Hours.--The Administrator may allow 
specific academic training courses, beyond those required under 
subsection (b)(2), to be credited toward the total flight hours 
required under subsection (c). The Administrator may allow such credit 
based on a determination by the Administrator that allowing a pilot to 
take specific academic training courses will enhance safety more than 
requiring the pilot to fully comply with the flight hours requirement.
    (e) Recommendations of Expert Panel.--In conducting the rulemaking 
proceeding under this section, the Administrator shall review and 
consider the assessment and recommendations of the expert panel to 
review part 121 and part 135 training hours established by section 
209(b) of this Act.
    (f) Deadline.--Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a final rule under 
subsection (a).

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.