§ 957. POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT ENTRY INTO SERVICE.
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/usc/title-49/section-957A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In General .— The Administrator shall, in consultation with exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5 , United States Code, and any relevant stakeholder as determined appropriate by the Administrator, take such actions as may be necessary to safely integrate powered-lift aircraft into the national airspace system, including in controlled airspace, and learn from any efforts to adopt and update related policy and guidance.
Air Traffic Policies for Entry Into Service .— Not later than 40 months after the date of enactment of this Act [ May 16, 2024 ], the Administrator shall update air traffic orders and policies, to the extent necessary, and address air traffic control system challenges in order to allow for— the use of existing air traffic procedures, where determined to be safe by the Administrator, by powered-lift aircraft; and the approval of letters of agreement between air traffic control system facilities and powered-lift operators and infrastructure operators to minimize the amount of active coordination required for safe recurring powered-lift aircraft operations, as appropriate.
Long-term Air Traffic Policies .— Beginning 40 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— continue to update air traffic orders and policies to support the operation of powered-lift aircraft; to the extent necessary, develop powered-lift specific procedures for airports, heliports, and vertiports; evaluate the human factors impacts on controllers associated with managing powered-lift aircraft operations, consider the impact of additional operations on air traffic controller staffing, and make necessary changes to staffing, procedures, regulations, and orders; and consider the use of third-party service providers to manage increased operations in controlled airspace to support, supplement, and enhance the work of air traffic controllers.