The FLIGHT DECK Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration to create a voluntary program that allows certified air traffic controllers to sit on the flight deck of commercial or general aviation aircraft during flights. This initiative is designed to help controllers better understand the onboard conditions and complex requirements faced by flight crews. Participation is limited to one round trip within the United States, its territories, Alaska, and Hawaii, with no government reimbursement for travel expenses. The FAA must consult with pilot and controller unions to establish safety policies and ticketing rules, and it must submit a report to Congress one year after the program begins detailing participation levels and any barriers encountered.
The Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act requires manufacturers of small unmanned aircraft systems to provide a safety statement to operators at the time they first activate their drones. Operators must electronically acknowledge that they have read and understood this document, which covers applicable laws, airspace restrictions, and potential penalties for unsafe operation. The Federal Aviation Administration is tasked with developing these requirements and issuing an example statement within 120 days of enactment. The FAA must also review and update the safety statement requirements annually to ensure they remain current.
The Cabin Air Safety Act of 2026 mandates that commercial airlines install real-time air quality monitoring equipment on their aircraft to detect engine oil or hydraulic fluid fumes, while also requiring annual safety training for pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics. The bill establishes a standardized reporting system for these events, allowing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate incidents where medical attention is required and to share aggregated data with the public through a searchable website. Additionally, it requires aircraft manufacturers to include procedures for responding to air quality alerts in their flight manuals and directs the FAA to continue researching technologies that prevent cabin air contamination.
The Runway SAFE-T Act establishes a task force to study and recommend improvements for driver training programs at airports, ensuring that ground vehicle operators receive consistent and modern safety instruction. Additionally, the bill authorizes federal grants from 2027 to 2031 to help airports purchase advanced technologies, such as sensors and simulation systems, that enhance situational awareness and reduce vehicle-related safety incidents on airport runways and taxiways. These grants are intended to assist airport sponsors in overcoming barriers like cost and workforce availability while prioritizing projects tailored to specific airport layouts and safety needs.
The ASAP Act authorizes $350 million annually to help states and local governments upgrade accessibility at older rail stations and facilities that were built before 1990. These funds can be used to retrofit infrastructure such as platforms and entrances to meet modern disability standards, ensuring they are usable by people who use wheelchairs or have sensory and intellectual disabilities. To receive funding, recipients must create a plan that addresses accessibility for all types of disabilities and considers equity for low-income riders and communities of color. The bill also requires that the Secretary of Transportation encourage coordination with disability advocacy groups to assess project needs and progress.
The WINGS Act of 2026 expands federal financial aid eligibility to cover specific aviation training expenses for students enrolled in qualifying aviation programs at colleges and universities. Under this bill, students could use federal funds to pay for costs such as flight simulator hours, aircraft instruction, aviation training materials, and licensing exam fees. The legislation defines eligible programs as those offering associate's or bachelor's degrees in aviation-related fields and includes professional degree programs that meet specific regulatory training standards. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2027, allowing students to access financial support for practical aviation training components starting with the 2027-2028 award year.
This bill creates a tax credit program in Pennsylvania to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel. To qualify, companies must invest at least $150 million in a local facility, create at least 400 permanent jobs, and pay workers prevailing wages. The credit provides up to $1 per gallon for fuel production, with an extra 25 cents per gallon for using local feedstocks or achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions. Eligible producers must also meet specific state tax compliance requirements and sign a commitment letter with state officials.
The McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration to review its policies on low-altitude airspace safety, specifically focusing on hazards created by temporary structures like slacklines and highlines. This review will involve consulting with various aviation stakeholders, including pilots, drone operators, and land management agencies, to assess current marking requirements and data accuracy. If the FAA finds that existing rules are insufficient, it must update regulations within a year to better identify these obstructions in flight planning tools and improve coordination with local authorities. Additionally, the agency is required to report its findings and any recommended policy changes to Congress within nine months of completing the review.
The McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration to review its policies on low-altitude airspace safety, specifically focusing on hazards created by temporary obstructions like slacklines and highlines. This review must involve various aviation stakeholders and examine whether current rules for marking, lighting, and reporting these obstacles are effective in preventing aircraft strikes. If the FAA finds existing guidelines insufficient, it is required to update regulations within a year to improve how these hazards are depicted in flight planning tools and communicated to pilots. Additionally, the agency must report its findings and any proposed rule changes to Congress within 90 days of completing the review.
The Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act requires NASA to conduct a study on updating current aviation standards to account for changing atmospheric conditions. This study will analyze how variations in temperature and other weather factors over the past 50 years impact the performance, maintenance costs, and operational limits of the top ten most-used commercial aircraft at the nation's busiest airports. The report will also assess necessary infrastructure investments and design modifications for future planes, with results to be shared with Congress within 18 months.