II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2732 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 5, 2009 Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations to prohibit the use of certain portable electronic devices in the cockpit of commercial aircraft during flight and to conduct a study of the safety impact of distracted pilots.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Focused Flying Act.

2.

Restriction on use of portable electronic devices

(a)

In general

Flight crew members on a commercial aircraft are prohibited from using any portable electronic device while in the cockpit of such aircraft during flight except for— (1)uses that are directly related to flight operations or safety; (2)the collection of data in connection with safety; or (3)other purposes approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. (b)

Defined term

In this section, the term during flight means the period beginning at the time a commercial aircraft leaves the gate at the airport of origin and ending at the time the aircraft arrives at the gate at the destination airport. (c)

Rulemaking

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, exercising the authority provided under section 44701(a)(5) of title 49, United States Code, shall promulgate regulations to enforce the restriction set forth in subsection (a). (d)

Effective date

The restriction set forth in subsection (a) shall take effect on the date on which the regulations are issued pursuant to subsection (c).

3.

Study

(a)

In general

The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall review relevant air carrier data and carry out a study— (1)to identify common sources of distraction for the cockpit flight crew on commercial aircraft; and (2)to determine the safety impacts of such distractions. (b)

Report

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that contains— (1)the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a); and (2)recommendations about ways to reduce distractions for cockpit flight crews.