To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to appoint an Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Technology, and for other purposes.

HR 878 creates a new position for the FAA: an Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Technology. This role, appointed by the FAA Administrator (with specific qualifications and non-political appointment rules), directly affects FAA operations and companies developing aviation safety technologies like auto-land systems or drone communication tools. Key mechanisms include requiring the position to streamline certification timelines, establish a public online portal for applicants to track progress, develop workforce plans for engineers, and create an interagency group to advance regulations for drone and automated flight systems. The bill mandates specific actions within 12 months, such as implementing the online portal and reporting on FAA certification processes.