49 USC 106 - Federal Aviation Administration

View all text of Chapter 1 [§ 101 - § 119]

§ 106. Federal Aviation Administration

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration is an administration in the Department of Transportation.

(b) The head of the Administration is the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. When making an appointment, the President shall consider the fitness of the individual to carry out efficiently the duties and powers of the office. Except as provided in subsection (f) or in other provisions of law, the Administrator reports directly to the Secretary of Transportation. The term of office for any individual appointed as Administrator after August 23, 1994, shall be 5 years.

(1) be a citizen of the United States;

(2) be a civilian; and

(3) have experience in a field directly related to aviation.

(d)

(1) The Administration has a Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President. In making an appointment, the President shall consider the fitness of the appointee to efficiently carry out the duties and powers of the office. The Deputy Administrator shall be a citizen of the United States and have experience in a field directly related to aviation. An officer on active duty in an armed force may be appointed as Deputy Administrator. However, if the Administrator is a former regular officer of an armed force, the Deputy Administrator may not be an officer on active duty in an armed force.

(2) The annual rate of basic pay of the Deputy Administrator shall be set by the Secretary but shall not exceed the annual rate of basic pay payable to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(3) An officer on active duty or a retired officer serving as Deputy Administrator is entitled to hold a rank and grade not lower than that held when appointed as Deputy Administrator. The Deputy Administrator may elect to receive (A) the pay provided by law for the Deputy Administrator, or (B) the pay and allowances or the retired pay of the military grade held. If the Deputy Administrator elects to receive the military pay and allowances or retired pay, the Administration shall reimburse the appropriate military department from funds available for the expenses of the Administration.

(4) The appointment and service of a member of the armed forces as a Deputy Administrator does not affect the status, office, rank, or grade held by that member, or a right or benefit arising from the status, office, rank, or grade. The Secretary of a military department does not control the member when the member is carrying out duties and powers of the Deputy Administrator.

(e) The Administrator and the Deputy Administrator may not have a pecuniary interest in, or own stock in or bonds of, an aeronautical enterprise, or engage in another business, vocation, or employment.

(f)Authority of the Secretary and the Administrator.—

(1)Authority of the secretary.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Transportation shall carry out the duties and powers, and controls the personnel and activities, of the Administration. Neither the Secretary nor the Administrator may submit decisions for the approval of, or be bound by the decisions or recommendations of, a committee, board, or organization established by executive order.

(2)Authority of the administrator.—The Administrator—

(A) is the final authority for carrying out all functions, powers, and duties of the Administration relating to—

(i) the appointment and employment of all officers and employees of the Administration (other than Presidential and political appointees);

(ii) the acquisition and maintenance of property, services, and equipment of the Administration;

(iii) except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), the promulgation of regulations, rules, orders, circulars, bulletins, and other official publications of the Administration; and

(iv) any obligation imposed on the Administrator, or power conferred on the Administrator, by the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996 (or any amendment made by that Act);

(B) shall offer advice and counsel to the President with respect to the appointment and qualifications of any officer or employee of the Administration to be appointed by the President or as a political appointee;

(C) may delegate, and authorize successive redelegations of, to an officer or employee of the Administration any function, power, or duty conferred upon the Administrator, unless such delegation is prohibited by law; and

(D) except as otherwise provided for in this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall not be required to coordinate, submit for approval or concurrence, or seek the advice or views of the Secretary or any other officer or employee of the Department of Transportation on any matter with respect to which the Administrator is the final authority.

(3)Regulations.—

(A)In general.—In the performance of the functions of the Administrator and the Administration, the Administrator is authorized to issue, rescind, and revise such regulations as are necessary to carry out those functions. The issuance of such regulations shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5. The Administrator shall act upon all petitions for rulemaking no later than 6 months after the date such petitions are filed by dismissing such petitions, by informing the petitioner of an intention to dismiss, or by issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking or advanced notice of proposed rulemaking. The Administrator shall issue a final regulation, or take other final action, not later than 16 months after the last day of the public comment period for the regulations or, in the case of an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, if issued, not later than 24 months after the date of publication in the Federal Register of notice of the proposed rulemaking. On February 1 and August 1 of each year 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 letter listing each deadline the Administrator missed under this subparagraph during the 6-month period ending on such date, including an explanation for missing the deadline and a projected date on which the action that was subject to the deadline will be taken.

(B)Approval of secretary of transportation.—

(i) The Administrator may not issue a proposed regulation or final regulation that is likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $250,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation beginning with the year following the date of the enactment of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century) in any year, or any regulation which is significant, unless the Secretary of Transportation approves the issuance of the regulation in advance. For purposes of this paragraph, a regulation is significant if the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary (as appropriate), determines that the regulation is likely to—(I) have an annual effect on the economy of $250,000,000 or more or adversely affect in a substantial and material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; or(II) raise novel or significant legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates that may substantially and materially affect other transportation modes.

(ii) In an emergency, the Administrator may issue a regulation described in clause (i) without prior approval by the Secretary, but any such emergency regulation is subject to ratification by the Secretary after it is issued and shall be rescinded by the Administrator within 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after issuance if the Secretary fails to ratify its issuance.

(iii) Any regulation that does not meet the criteria of clause (i), and any regulation or other action that is a routine or frequent action or a procedural action, may be issued by the Administrator without review or approval by the Secretary.

(iv) The Administrator shall submit a copy of any regulation requiring approval by the Secretary under clause (i) to the Secretary, who shall either approve it or return it to the Administrator with comments within 45 days after receiving it.

(C)Periodic review.—

(i) Beginning on the date which is 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996, the Administrator shall review any unusually burdensome regulation issued by the Administrator after such date of enactment beginning not later than 3 years after the effective date of the regulation to determine if the cost assumptions were accurate, the benefit of the regulations, and the need to continue such regulations in force in their present form.

(ii) The Administrator may identify for review under the criteria set forth in clause (i) unusually burdensome regulations that were issued before the date of the enactment of the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996 and that have been in force for more than 3 years.

(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “unusually burdensome regulation” means any regulation that results in the annual expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $25,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation beginning with the year following the date of the enactment of the Air Traffic Management System Performance Act of 1996) in any year.

(iv) The periodic review of regulations may be performed by advisory committees and the Management Advisory Council established under subsection (p).

(4)Definition of political appointee.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “political appointee” means any individual who—

(A) is employed in a position listed in sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5 (relating to the Executive Schedule);

(B) is a limited term appointee, limited emergency appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5; or

(C) is employed in a position in the executive branch of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(g)Duties and Powers of Administrator.—The Administrator shall carry out the following:

(1) Duties and powers of the Secretary of Transportation under subsection (f) of this section related to aviation safety (except those related to transportation, packaging, marking, or description of hazardous material) and stated in the following:

(A) Section 308(b).

(B) Subsections (c) and (d) of section 1132.

(D) Chapter 445, except sections 44501(b), 44502(a)(2), 44502(a)(3), 44502(a)(4), 44503, 44506, 44509, 44510, 44514, and 44515.

(E) Chapter 447, except sections 44717, 44718(a), 44718(b), 44719, 44720, 44721(b), 44722, and 44723.

(F) Chapter 451.

(G) Chapter 453.

(H) Section 46104.

(I) Subsections (d) and (h)(2) of section 46301 and sections 46303(c), 46304 through 46308, 46310, 46311, and 46313 through 46316.

(J) Chapter 465.

(K) Sections 47504(b) (related to flight procedures), 47508(a), and 48107.

(2) Additional duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation.

(h)Section 40101(d) of this title applies to duties and powers specified in subsection (g)(1) of this section. Any of those duties and powers may be transferred to another part of the Department only when specifically provided by law or a reorganization plan submitted under chapter 9 of title 5. A decision of the Administrator in carrying out those duties or powers is administratively final.

(i) The Deputy Administrator shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Administrator. The Deputy Administrator acts for the Administrator when the Administrator is absent or unable to serve, or when the office of the Administrator is vacant.

(j) There is established within the Federal Aviation Administration an institute to conduct civil aeromedical research under section 44507 of this title. Such institute shall be known as the “Civil Aeromedical Institute”. Research conducted by the institute should take appropriate advantage of capabilities of other government agencies, universities, or the private sector.

(k)Authorization of Appropriations for Operations.—

(1)Salaries, operations, and maintenance.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for salaries, operations, and maintenance of the Administration—

(A) $10,247,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;

(B) $10,486,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;

(D) $11,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(E) $11,269,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(F) $11,537,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and

(G) $7,259,685,792 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024.

Such sums shall remain available until expended.

(2)Authorized expenditures.—Out of amounts appropriated under paragraph (1), the following expenditures are authorized:

(A) Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2015 to carry out and expand the Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative.

(B) Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2015 for the completion of the Alaska aviation safety project with respect to the 3 dimensional mapping of Alaska’s main aviation corridors.

(C) Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2015 to carry out the Aviation Safety Reporting System and the development and maintenance of helicopter approach procedures.

(D) Not more than the following amounts for commercial space transportation activities:

(i) $22,587,000 for fiscal year 2018.

(ii) $33,038,000 for fiscal year 2019.

(iii) $43,500,000 for fiscal year 2020.

(iv) $54,970,000 for fiscal year 2021.

(v) $64,449,000 for fiscal year 2022.

(vi) $75,938,000 for fiscal year 2023.

(3)Administering program within available funding.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 and for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on May 10, 2024, if the Secretary determines that the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) are insufficient to meet the salary, operations, and maintenance expenses of the Federal Aviation Administration, as authorized by this section, the Secretary shall reduce nonsafety-related activities of the Administration as necessary to reduce such expenses to a level that can be met by the funding available under paragraph (1).

(l)Personnel and Services.—

(1)Officers and employees.—Except as provided in subsections (a) and (g) of section 40122, the Administrator is authorized, in the performance of the functions of the Administrator, to appoint, transfer, and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, including attorneys, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Administrator and the Administration. In fixing compensation and benefits of officers and employees, the Administrator shall not engage in any type of bargaining, except to the extent provided for in section 40122(a), nor shall the Administrator be bound by any requirement to establish such compensation or benefits at particular levels.

(2)Experts and consultants.—The Administrator is authorized to obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5.

(3)Transportation and per diem expenses.—The Administrator is authorized to pay transportation expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses, in accordance with chapter 57 of title 5.

(4)Use of personnel from other agencies.—The Administrator is authorized to utilize the services of personnel of any other Federal agency (as such term is defined under section 551(1) of title 5).

(5)Voluntary services.—

(A)General rule.—In exercising the authority to accept gifts and voluntary services under section 326 of this title, and without regard to section 1342 of title 31, the Administrator may not accept voluntary and uncompensated services if such services are used to displace Federal employees employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis.

(B)Incidental expenses.—The Administrator is authorized to provide for incidental expenses, including transportation, lodging, and subsistence, for volunteers who provide voluntary services under this subsection.

(C)Limited treatment as federal employees.—An individual who provides voluntary services under this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee for any purpose other than for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, relating to compensation for work injuries, and chapter 171 of title 28, relating to tort claims.

(6)Contracts.—The Administrator is authorized to enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Administrator and the Administration. The Administrator may enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with any Federal agency (as such term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5) or any instrumentality of the United States, any State, territory, or possession, or political subdivision thereof, any other governmental entity, or any person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution, on such terms and conditions as the Administrator may consider appropriate.

(7)Prohibition on certain performance-based incentives.—No employee of the Administration shall be given an award, financial incentive, or other compensation, as a result of actions to meet performance goals related to meeting or exceeding schedules, quotas, or deadlines for certificates issued under section 44704.

(m)Cooperation by Administrator.—With the consent of appropriate officials, the Administrator may, with or without reimbursement, use or accept the services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any other Federal agency (as such term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5) and any other public or private entity. The Administrator may also cooperate with appropriate officials of other public and private agencies and instrumentalities concerning the use of services, equipment, personnel, and facilities. The head of each Federal agency shall cooperate with the Administrator in making the services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of the Federal agency available to the Administrator. The head of a Federal agency is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to transfer to or to receive from the Administration, with or without reimbursement, supplies, personnel, services, and equipment other than administrative supplies or equipment.

(n)Acquisition.—

(1)In general.—The Administrator is authorized—

(A) to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise), construct, improve, repair, operate, and maintain—

(i) air traffic control facilities and equipment;

(ii) research and testing sites and facilities; and

(iii) such other real and personal property (including office space and patents), or any interest therein, within and outside the continental United States as the Administrator considers necessary;

(B) to lease to others such real and personal property; and

(C) to provide by contract or otherwise for eating facilities and other necessary facilities for the welfare of employees of the Administration at the installations of the Administration, and to acquire, operate, and maintain equipment for these facilities.

(2)Title.—Title to any property or interest therein acquired pursuant to this subsection shall be held by the Government of the United States.

(o)Transfers of Funds.—The Administrator is authorized to accept transfers of unobligated balances and unexpended balances of funds appropriated to other Federal agencies (as such term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5) to carry out functions transferred by law to the Administrator or functions transferred pursuant to law to the Administrator on or after the date of the enactment of the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996.

(p)Management Advisory Council and Air Traffic Services Board.—

(1)Establishment.—Within 3 months after the date of the enactment of the Air Traffic Management System Performance Improvement Act of 1996, the Administrator shall establish an advisory council which shall be known as the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council (in this subsection referred to as the “Council”). With respect to Administration management, policy, spending, funding, and regulatory matters affecting the aviation industry, the Council may submit comments, recommended modifications, and dissenting views to the Administrator. The Administrator shall include in any submission to Congress, the Secretary, or the general public, and in any submission for publication in the Federal Register, a description of the comments, recommended modifications, and dissenting views received from the Council, together with the reasons for any differences between the views of the Council and the views or actions of the Administrator.

(2)Membership.—The Council shall consist of 13 members, who shall consist of—

(A) a designee of the Secretary of Transportation;

(B) a designee of the Secretary of Defense;

(i) in the case of initial appointments to the Council, the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except that initial appointments made after May 1, 2003, shall be made by the Secretary of Transportation; and

(ii) in the case of subsequent appointments to the Council, the Secretary of Transportation; and

(D) 1 member appointed, from among individuals who are the leaders of their respective unions of air traffic control system employees, by the Secretary of Transportation.

(3)Qualifications.—No officer or employee of the United States Government may be appointed to the Council under paragraph (2)(C) or to the Air Traffic Services Committee.

(4)Functions.—

(A)In general.—

(i) The Council shall provide advice and counsel to the Administrator on issues which affect or are affected by the operations of the Administrator. The Council shall function as an oversight resource for management, policy, spending, and regulatory matters under the jurisdiction of the Administration.

(ii) The Council shall review the rulemaking cost-benefit analysis process and develop recommendations to improve the analysis and ensure that the public interest is fully protected.

(iii) The Council shall review the process through which the Administration determines to use advisory circulars and service bulletins.

(B)Meetings.—The Council shall meet on a regular and periodic basis or at the call of the chairman or of the Administrator.

(C)Access to documents and staff.—The Administration may give the Council or Air Traffic Services Committee appropriate access to relevant documents and personnel of the Administration, and the Administrator shall make available, consistent with the authority to withhold commercial and other proprietary information under section 552 of title 5 (commonly known as the “Freedom of Information Act”), cost data associated with the acquisition and operation of air traffic service systems. Any member of the Council or Air Traffic Services Committee who receives commercial or other proprietary data from the Administrator shall be subject to the provisions of section 1905 of title 18, pertaining to unauthorized disclosure of such information.

(5)Chapter 10 of title 5 not to apply.—Chapter 10 of title 5 does not apply to the Council, the Air Traffic Services Committee, such aviation rulemaking committees as the Administrator shall designate, or such aerospace rulemaking committees as the Secretary shall designate.

(6)Administrative matters.—

(A)Terms of members appointed under paragraph (2)(c).—Members of the Council appointed under paragraph (2)(C) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. Of the members first appointed by the President under paragraph (2)(C)—

(i) 3 shall be appointed for terms of 1 year;

(ii) 4 shall be appointed for terms of 2 years; and

(iii) 3 shall be appointed for terms of 3 years.

(B)Term for air traffic control representative.—The member appointed under paragraph (2)(D) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that the term of such individual shall end whenever the individual no longer meets the requirements of paragraph (2)(D).

(C)Terms for air traffic services committee members.—The members appointed to the Air Traffic Services Committee shall be appointed for a term of 5 years, except that the first members of the Committee shall be the members of the Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the Council on the day before the date of enactment of the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act who shall serve in an advisory capacity until such time as the President appoints the members of the Committee under paragraph (7).

(D)Reappointment.—An individual may not be appointed to the Committee to more than two 5-year terms.

(E)Vacancy.—Any vacancy on the Council or Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that any vacancy caused by a member appointed by the President under paragraph (2)(C)(i) shall be filled by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2)(C)(ii). Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

(F)Continuation in office.—A member of the Council or Committee whose term expires shall continue to serve until the date on which the member’s successor takes office.

(G)Removal.—Any member of the Council appointed under paragraph (2)(D) may be removed for cause by the President or Secretary whoever makes the appointment. Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause by the Secretary.

(H)Claims against members of committee.—

(i)In general.—A member appointed to the Committee shall have no personal liability under Federal law with respect to any claim arising out of or resulting from an act or omission by such member within the scope of service as a member of the Committee.

(ii)Effect on other law.—This subparagraph shall not be construed—(I) to affect any other immunity or protection that may be available to a member of the Subcommittee under applicable law with respect to such transactions;(II) to affect any other right or remedy against the United States under applicable law; or(III) to limit or alter in any way the immunities that are available under applicable law for Federal officers and employees.

(I)Ethical considerations.—

(i)Financial disclosure.—During the entire period that an individual is serving as a member of the Committee, such individual shall be treated as serving as an officer or employee referred to in section 13103(f) of title 5 for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 131 of such title; except that section 13103(d) of such title shall apply without regard to the number of days of service in the position.

(ii)Restrictions on post-employment.—For purposes of section 207(c) of title 18, an individual who is a member of the Committee shall be treated as an employee referred to in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of such title during the entire period the individual is a member of the Committee; except that subsections (c)(2)(B) and (f) of section 207 of such title shall not apply.

(J)Chairman; vice chairman.—The Council shall elect a chair and a vice chair from among the members appointed under paragraph (2)(C), each of whom shall serve for a term of 1 year. The vice chair shall perform the duties of the chairman in the absence of the chairman.

(K)Travel and per diem.—Each member of the Council or Committee shall be paid actual travel expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from his or her usual place of residence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5.

(L)Detail of personnel from the administration.—The Administrator shall make available to the Council or Committee such staff, information, and administrative services and assistance as may reasonably be required to enable the Council or Committee to carry out its responsibilities under this subsection.

(7)Air traffic services committee.—

(A)Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish a committee that is independent of the Council by converting the Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the Council, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, into such committee. The committee shall be known as the Air Traffic Services Committee (in this subsection referred to as the “Committee”).

(B)Membership and qualifications.—Subject to paragraph (6)(C), the Committee shall consist of five members, one of whom shall be the Administrator and shall serve as chairperson. The remaining members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and—

(i) shall have a fiduciary responsibility to represent the public interest;

(ii) shall be citizens of the United States; and

(iii) shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of their professional experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas and, in the aggregate, should collectively bring to bear expertise in all of the following areas:(I) Management of large service organizations.(II) Customer service.(III) Management of large procurements.(IV) Information and communications technology.(V) Organizational development.(VI) Labor relations.

(C)Prohibitions on members of committee.—No member of the Committee may—

(i) have a pecuniary interest in, or own stock in or bonds of, an aviation or aeronautical enterprise, except an interest in a diversified mutual fund or an interest that is exempt from the application of section 208 of title 18;

(ii) engage in another business related to aviation or aeronautics; or

(iii) be a member of any organization that engages, as a substantial part of its activities, in activities to influence aviation-related legislation.

(D)General responsibilities.—

(i)Oversight.—The Committee shall oversee the administration, management, conduct, direction, and supervision of the air traffic control system.

(ii)Confidentiality.—The Committee shall ensure that appropriate confidentiality is maintained in the exercise of its duties.

(E)Specific responsibilities.—The Committee shall have the following specific responsibilities:

(i)Strategic plans.—To review, approve, and monitor the strategic plan for the air traffic control system, including the establishment of—(I) a mission and objectives;(II) standards of performance relative to such mission and objectives, including safety, efficiency, and productivity; and(III) annual and long-range strategic plans.

(ii)Modernization and improvement.—To review and approve—(I) methods to accelerate air traffic control modernization and improvements in aviation safety related to air traffic control; and(II) procurements of air traffic control equipment in excess of $100,000,000.

(iii)Operational plans.—To review the operational functions of the air traffic control system, including—(I) plans for modernization of the air traffic control system;(II) plans for increasing productivity or implementing cost-saving measures; and(III) plans for training and education.

(iv)Management.—To—(I) review and approve the Administrator’s appointment of a Chief Operating Officer under section 106(r);(II) review the Administrator’s selection, evaluation, and compensation of senior executives of the Administration who have program management responsibility over significant functions of the air traffic control system;(III) review and approve the Administrator’s plans for any major reorganization of the Administration that would impact on the management of the air traffic control system;(IV) review and approve the Administrator’s cost accounting and financial management structure and technologies to help ensure efficient and cost-effective air traffic control operation; and(V) review the performance and compensation of managers responsible for major acquisition projects, including the ability of the managers to meet schedule and budget targets.

(v)Budget.—To—(I) review and make recommendations on the budget request of the Administration related to the air traffic control system prepared by the Administrator;(II) submit such budget recommendations to the Secretary; and(III) base such budget recommendations on the annual and long-range strategic plans.

(F)Committee personnel matters and expenses.—

(i)Personnel matters.—The Committee may appoint and terminate for purposes of employment by the Committee any personnel that may be necessary to enable the Committee to perform its duties, and may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 40122.

(ii)Travel expenses.—Each member of the Committee shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

(G)Administrative matters.—

(i)Powers of chair.—Except as otherwise provided by a majority vote of the Committee, the powers of the chairperson shall include—(I) establishing committees;(II) setting meeting places and times;(III) establishing meeting agendas; and(IV) developing rules for the conduct of business.

(ii)Meetings.—The Committee shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson determines appropriate.

(iii)Quorum.—Three members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. A majority of members present and voting shall be required for the Committee to take action.

(H)Authorization.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Committee such sums as may be necessary for the Committee to carry out its activities.

(8)Air traffic control system defined.—In this section, the term “air traffic control system” has the meaning such term has under section 40102(a).

(q)Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.—

(1)Establishment.—There shall be in the Administration an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.

(2)General duties and responsibilities.—The Ombudsman shall—

(A) be appointed by the Administrator;

(B) serve as a liaison with the public on issues regarding aircraft noise; and

(C) be consulted when the Administration proposes changes in aircraft routes so as to minimize any increases in aircraft noise over populated areas.

(3)Number of full-time equivalent employees.—The appointment of an Ombudsman under this subsection shall not result in an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees in the Administration.

(r)Chief Operating Officer.—

(1)In general.—

(A)Appointment.—There shall be a Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system to be appointed by the Administrator, with the approval of the Air Traffic Services Committee. The Chief Operating Officer shall report directly to the Administrator and shall be subject to the authority of the Administrator.

(B)Qualifications.—The Chief Operating Officer shall have a demonstrated ability in management and knowledge of or experience in aviation.

(C)Term.—The Chief Operating Officer shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(D)Removal.—The Chief Operating Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Administrator, except that the Administrator shall make every effort to ensure stability and continuity in the leadership of the air traffic control system.

(E)Vacancy.—Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of Chief Operating Officer occurring before the expiration of the term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

(2)Compensation.—

(A)In general.—The Chief Operating Officer shall be paid at an annual rate of basic pay to be determined by the Administrator, with the approval of the Air Traffic Services Committee. The annual rate may not exceed the annual compensation paid under section 102 of title 3. The Chief Operating Officer shall be subject to the post-employment provisions of section 207 of title 18 as if the position of Chief Operating Officer were described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that title.

(B)Bonus.—In addition to the annual rate of basic pay authorized by subparagraph (A), the Chief Operating Officer may receive a bonus for any calendar year not to exceed 30 percent of the annual rate of basic pay, based upon the Administrator’s evaluation of the Chief Operating Officer’s performance in relation to the performance goals set forth in the performance agreement described in paragraph (3).

(3)Annual performance agreement.—The Administrator and the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Air Traffic Services Committee, shall enter into an annual performance agreement that sets forth measurable organization and individual goals for the Chief Operating Officer in key operational areas. The agreement shall be subject to review and renegotiation on an annual basis.

(4)Annual performance report.—The Chief Operating Officer shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an annual management report containing such information as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

(5)Responsibilities.—The Administrator may delegate to the Chief Operating Officer, or any other authority within the Administration responsibilities, including the following:

(A)Strategic plans.—To implement the strategic plan of the Administration for the air traffic control system in order to further—

(i) a mission and objectives;

(ii) standards of performance relative to such mission and objectives, including safety, efficiency, and productivity;

(iii) annual and long-range strategic plans; and

(iv) methods of the Administration to accelerate air traffic control modernization and improvements in aviation safety related to air traffic control.

(B)Operations.—To oversee the day-to-day operational functions of the Administration for air traffic control, including—

(i) modernization of the air traffic control system;

(ii) increasing productivity or implementing cost-saving measures;

(iii) training and education; and

(iv) the management of cost-reimbursable contracts.

(C)Budget.—To—

(i) develop a budget request of the Administration related to the air traffic control system;

(ii) submit such budget request to the Administrator and the Committee; and

(iii) ensure that the budget request supports the agency’s annual and long-range strategic plans for air traffic control services.

(s)Chief Technology Officer.—

(1)In general.—

(A)Appointment.—There shall be a Chief Technology Officer appointed by the Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Technology Officer shall report directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

(B)Minimum qualifications.—The Chief Technology Officer shall have—

(i) at least 10 years experience in engineering management or another relevant technical management field; and

(ii) knowledge of or experience in the aviation industry.

(C)Removal.—The Chief Technology Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Administrator.

(D)Restriction.—The Chief Technology Officer may not also be the Deputy Administrator.

(2)Responsibilities.—The responsibilities of the Chief Technology Officer shall include—

(A) ensuring the proper operation, maintenance, and cybersecurity of technology systems relating to the air traffic control system across all program offices of the Administration;

(B) coordinating the implementation, operation, maintenance, and cybersecurity of technology programs relating to the air traffic control system with the aerospace industry and other Federal agencies;

(C) reviewing and providing advice to the Secretary, the Administrator, and the Chief Operating Officer on the Administration’s budget, cost-accounting system, and benefit-cost analyses with respect to technology programs relating to the air traffic control system;

(D) consulting with the Administrator on the Capital Investment Plan of the Administration prior to its submission to Congress;

(E) developing an annual air traffic control system technology operation and maintenance plan that is consistent with the annual performance targets established under paragraph (4); and

(F) ensuring that the air traffic control system architecture remains, to the maximum extent practicable, flexible enough to incorporate future technological advances developed and directly procured by aircraft operators.

(3)Compensation.—

(A)In general.—The Chief Technology Officer shall be paid at an annual rate of basic pay to be determined by the Administrator, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer. The annual rate may not exceed the annual compensation paid under section 102 of title 3. The Chief Technology Officer shall be subject to the postemployment provisions of section 207 of title 18 as if the position of Chief Technology Officer were described in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of that title.

(B)Bonus.—In addition to the annual rate of basic pay authorized by subparagraph (A), the Chief Technology Officer may receive a bonus for any calendar year not to exceed 30 percent of the annual rate of basic pay, based upon the Administrator’s evaluation of the Chief Technology Officer’s performance in relation to the performance targets established under paragraph (4).

(4)Annual performance targets.—

(A)In general.—The Administrator and the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer, shall establish measurable annual performance targets for the Chief Technology Officer in key operational areas.

(B)Report.—The Administrator shall transmit 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 describing the annual performance targets established under subparagraph (A).

(5)Annual performance report.—The Chief Technology Officer shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an annual report containing—

(A) detailed descriptions and metrics of how successful the Chief Technology Officer was in meeting the annual performance targets established under paragraph (4); and

(B) other information as may be requested by the Administrator and the Chief Operating Officer.

(t)Office of Whistleblower Protection and Aviation Safety Investigations.—

(1)Establishment.—There is established in the Federal Aviation Administration (in this subsection referred to as the “Agency”) the Office of Whistleblower Protection and Aviation Safety Investigations (in this subsection referred to as the “Office”).

(2)Director.—

(A)Appointment.—The head of the Office shall be the Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.

(B)Qualifications.—The Director shall have a demonstrated ability in investigations and knowledge of or experience in aviation.

(C)Term.—The Director shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(D)Vacancies.—Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of the Director occurring before the expiration of the term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

(E)Limitation of duties.— The Director may only perform duties of the Director described in paragraph (3)(A).

(3)Complaints and investigations.—

(A)Authority of director.—The Director shall—

(i) receive complaints and information submitted by employees of persons holding certificates issued under title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (if the certificate holder does not have a similar in-house whistleblower or safety and regulatory noncompliance reporting process established under or pursuant to a safety management system) and employees of the Agency concerning the possible existence of an activity relating to a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other provision of Federal law relating to aviation safety;

(ii) assess complaints and information submitted under clause (i) and determine whether a substantial likelihood exists that a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other provision of Federal law relating to aviation safety has occurred;

(iii) based on findings of the assessment conducted under clause (ii), make recommendations to the Administrator of the Agency, in writing, regarding further investigation or corrective actions;

(iv) receive allegations of whistleblower retaliation by employees of the Agency;

(v) coordinate with and provide all necessary assistance to the Office of Investigations and Professional Responsibility, the inspector general of the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Special Counsel on investigations relating to whistleblower retaliation by employees of the Agency; and

(vi) investigate allegations of whistleblower retaliation by employees of the Agency that have been delegated to the Office by the Office of Investigations and Professional Responsibility, the inspector general of the Department of Transportation, or the Office of Special Counsel.

(B)Disclosure of identities.—The Director shall not disclose the identity of an individual who submits a complaint or information under subparagraph (A)(i) unless—

(i) the individual consents to the disclosure in writing; or

(ii) the Director determines, in the course of an investigation, that the disclosure is required by regulation, statute, or court order, or is otherwise unavoidable, in which case the Director shall provide the individual reasonable advanced notice of the disclosure.

(C)Independence of director.—The Secretary, the Administrator, or any officer or employee of the Agency may not prevent or prohibit the Director from initiating, carrying out, or completing any assessment of a complaint or information submitted under subparagraph (A)(i) or from reporting to Congress on any such assessment.

(D)Access to information.—In conducting an assessment of a complaint or information submitted under subparagraph (A)(i), the Director shall have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, and other material of the Agency necessary to determine whether a substantial likelihood exists that a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other provision of Federal law relating to aviation safety may have occurred.

(4)Responses to recommendations.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Administrator receives a report with respect to an investigation, the Administrator shall respond to a recommendation made by the Director under paragraph (3)(A)(iii) in writing and retain records related to any further investigations or corrective actions taken in response to the recommendation.

(5)Incident reports.—If the Director determines there is a substantial likelihood that a violation of an order, a regulation, or any other provision of Federal law relating to aviation safety has occurred that requires immediate corrective action, the Director shall report the potential violation expeditiously to the Administrator and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation.

(6)Reporting of criminal violations to inspector general.—If the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of Federal criminal law, the Director shall report the violation expeditiously to the Inspector General.

(7)Annual reports to congress.—Not later than November 15 of each year, the Director shall submit to Congress a report containing—

(A) information on the number of submissions of complaints and information received by the Director under paragraph (3)(A)(i) in the preceding fiscal year;

(B) summaries of those submissions;

(C) summaries of the resolution of those submissions, including any further investigations and corrective actions recommended in response to the submissions;

(D) summaries of the responses of the Administrator to such recommendations; and

(E) A 1

1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

summary of the activities of the Whistleblower Ombudsman, including—

(i) the number of employee consultations conducted by the Whistleblower Ombudsman in the preceding 12-month period and a summary of such consultations and their resolution (in a de-identified or anonymized form); and

(ii) the number of reported incidents of retaliation during such period and, if applicable, a description of the disposition of such incidents during such period.

(8)Whistleblower ombudsman.—

(A)In general.—Within the Office, there shall be established the position of Whistleblower Ombudsman.

(B)Ombudsman qualifications.—The individual selected as Ombudsman shall have knowledge of Federal labor law and demonstrated government experience in human resource management,2

2 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

and conflict resolution.

(C)Duties.—The Ombudsman shall carry out the following duties:

(i) Educate Administration employees about prohibitions against materially adverse acts of retaliation and any specific rights or remedies with respect to those retaliatory actions.

(ii) Serve as an independent confidential resource for Administration employees to discuss any specific retaliation allegation and available rights or remedies based on the circumstances, as appropriate.

(iii) Coordinate with Human Resource Management, the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Office of the Chief Counsel, as necessary.

(iv) Coordinate with the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation’s Whistleblower Protection Coordinator and the Office of the Special Counsel, as necessary.

(v) Conduct outreach and assist in the development of training within the Agency to mitigate the potential for retaliation and promote timely and appropriate processing of any protected disclosure or allegation of materially adverse acts of retaliation.

(Pub. L. 97–449, § 1(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2416; Pub. L. 98–216, § 2(2), Feb. 14, 1984, 98 Stat. 5; Pub. L. 100–591, § 5(a), Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 3013; Pub. L. 101–508, title IX, § 9106, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–355; Pub. L. 101–604, title I, § 101(c), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3068; Pub. L. 102–581, title I, § 104, Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4877; Pub. L. 103–272, §§ 4(j)(3), 5(m)(4), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1365, 1375; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 103, title II, § 201, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1571, 1581; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 103(a), title II, §§ 223(a), 224–230, 276(c), title XII, § 1210, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3216, 3229–3234, 3282; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3388; Pub. L. 105–102, § 3(c)(3), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2215; Pub. L. 106–6, § 4, Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 10; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 103(a), title III, §§ 302(a)–(c), 303, 305, 306, 307(c)(1), title VII, § 701, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 66, 115–118, 121, 123, 124, 126, 154; Pub. L. 106–528, § 8(a), Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2522; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 101(c)(3), (d), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 602, 603; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 103(a),(b), title II, §§ 201–204, 224(c), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2495, 2496, 2522–2526, 2528; Pub. L. 110–330, § 6, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3719; Pub. L. 111–12, § 6, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 111–69, § 6, Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–116, § 6, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3032; Pub. L. 111–153, § 6, Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 111–161, § 6, Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 111–197, § 6, July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 105, Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2350; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 206, Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 112–91, § 6, Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 103, title II, §§ 203, 204, title III, §§ 306(b), 341, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 16, 37, 61, 78; Pub. L. 112–166, § 2(k)(2), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1286; Pub. L. 113–188, title XV, § 1501(a), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2023; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 103, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 103, Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1103, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 618; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 103, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1170; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 103, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1047; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 113, title V, §§ 545(a), 564, div. K, title I, § 1991(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3200, 3374, 3385, 3626; Pub. L. 116–260, div. V, title I, §§ 114, 133(a), (b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2333, 2353, 2355; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(302), (c)(46), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4339, 4359; Pub. L. 117–328, div. Q, § 104, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5253; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2203, Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 84; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 103, Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1114; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 103, Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 22.)