Sec. 249. Part 135 air carrier certificate backlog
493 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/hr/3935/pcs/section-249·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall take such actions as may be necessary to achieve the goal of reducing the backlog of air carrier certificate applications under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to— not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, maintain an average certificate decision time of less than 60 days; and not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, maintain an average certificate decision time of less than 30 days.
In meeting the goal under subsection (a), the Administrator may— assign, as appropriate, additional personnel or support staff, including on a temporary basis, to review, adjudicate, and approve applications; improve and expand promotion of existing applicant resources which could improve the quality of applications submitted to decrease the need for Administration applicant coordination and communications; and take into consideration any third-party entity that assisted in the preparation of an application for an air carrier certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
The Administrator shall convene a working group comprised of industry stakeholders and aviation experts to— not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, study methods and make recommendations to clarify requirements and standardize the process for conducting and completing aircraft conformity processes for existing air carriers and operators under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in a timely manner, which shall include— developing a plan to honor or expedite the consideration of previously accepted aircraft configuration evaluations when an aircraft moves from one certificate under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to another such certificate; streamlining protocols for operators under such part 135 to add an aircraft that was listed on another certificate under such part 135 immediately prior to moving to the new carrier; and evaluating non-safety related Federal Aviation Administration policies, guidance, and documentation and identify needed changes to such policies, guidance, and documentation to accomplish subparagraph (B); and not later than 2 years after of the date of enactment of this Act— study and review methods to modernize and improve the air carrier certification process under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and recommend long-term solutions for effective management of Administration resources dedicated to approving air carrier certificate applications under such part 135.
Beginning 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less than every 6 months thereafter until the Administrator complies with the requirements under subsection (a)(2), the Administrator shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the status of the backlog of air carrier certificate applications under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, any measures the Administrator has put in place under subsection (b), and any recommendations received from the review under subsection (c).