Sec. 910. Electric propulsion aircraft operations study
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/bill/118/s/1939/is/section-910A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall initiate a study assessing the safe and scalable operation and integration of electric aircraft into the national airspace system. The study required under subsection
(a)shall address— the technical capacity and competencies needed for the FAA to certify aircraft systems specific to electric aircraft; the data development and collection required to develop standards specific to electric aircraft; the regulatory standards and guidance material needed to facilitate the safe operation of electric aircraft, including— fire protection; high voltage electromagnetic environments; engine and human machine interfaces; reliability of high voltage components and insulation; lithium batteries for propulsion use; operating and pilot qualifications; and airspace integration; the airport infrastructure requirements to support electric aircraft operations, including an assessment of— existing capabilities of airport infrastructure as of the date of enactment of this section; aircraft operations specifications; projected operations demand by carriers and other operators; potential modifications to existing airport infrastructure; additional investments in new infrastructure and systems required to meet operations demand; and management of infrastructure relating to hazardous materials used in hybrid and electric propulsion; and varying types of electric aircraft, including advanced air mobility aircraft and small or regional passenger or cargo aircraft. In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consider the following: The potential for improvements to air service connectivity for communities through the deployment of electric aircraft operations, including by— establishing routes to small and rural communities; and introducing alternative modes of transportation for multimodal operations within communities. Impacts to airport-adjacent communities, including implications due to changes in airspace utilization and land use compatibility. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. In this section: The term electric aircraft means an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid electric driven propulsion system used for flight. The term advanced air mobility means a transportation system that transports passengers and cargo by air between two points in the United States using aircraft with advanced technologies, including aircraft with hybrid or electric vertical take-off and landing capabilities, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.