To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study to assess whether certain aircraft certified under part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, may be used in operations conducted under part 121 of such title, and for other purposes.

To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study to assess whether certain aircraft certified under part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, may be used in operations conducted under part 121 of such title, 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. Study on safety and airworthiness of certain aircraft.

(a) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall initiate a study to assess and evaluate whether aircraft with at least 10 passenger seats and not more than 19 seats that are type certificated under part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, after August 30, 2017, may be safely used in commercial air service conducted under part 121 of title 14 of such code.

(b) Requirements.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Administrator shall—

(1) consider the impacts of changing aircraft economics for operators providing scheduled commercial air service to small communities;

(2) evaluate applicable foreign regulatory frameworks for foreign air carriers providing scheduled air transportation using aircraft originally designed with a passenger capacity of 10 to 19 seats; and

(3) solicit technical advice and comments from—

(A) representatives of aircraft manufacturers, including associations representing aircraft manufacturers;

(B) representatives of small, rural, and remote communities that have experienced a decrease in scheduled commercial air service, including from communities in which subsidies are provided pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code; and

(C) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of aircraft airworthiness requirements under parts 23 and 25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) Report to Congress.—Upon completion of the study required under subsection (a), 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 findings of the study.