HR 2905 IH

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the installation of counter-MANPADS systems on certain passenger aircraft.

June 15, 2005

Mr. MICA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the installation of counter-MANPADS systems on certain passenger aircraft.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. INSTALLATION OF COUNTER-MANPADS SYSTEMS.

(a) In General- Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 44729. Installation of counter-MANPADS systems

`(a) Installation- The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall require by regulation that, not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of a type certificate or supplemental type certificate under section 44704 for a counter-MANPADS system, such system be installed and operated on an aircraft that--

`(1) is a newly manufactured turbojet powered aircraft;

`(2) has a maximum passenger capacity of at least 800 seats or a maximum take-off weight of 1,000,000 pounds or greater; and

`(3) is used to provide air transportation or intrastate air transportation of passengers.

`(b) Extension of Deadline- The Administrator may extend the deadline established by subsection (a) if the Administrator determines that such action is necessary to promote--

`(1) a safe and orderly transition to the operation of passenger aircraft equipped with counter-MANPADS systems; or

`(2) other safety objectives.

`(c) Removal- The Administrator shall issue regulations specifying the conditions under which a person may operate an aircraft subject to subsection (a) during a period in which, for purposes of inspection, repair, alteration, or replacement, the counter-MANPADS system of the aircraft has been removed or rendered inoperable.

`(d) Study- The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of installing and operating counter-MANPADS systems on newly manufactured turbojet powered aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 1,000,000 pounds or greater that will be used to provide all-cargo air transportation.

`(e) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

`(1) COUNTER-MANPADS SYSTEM- The term `counter-MANPADS system' means a system of equipment to protect commercial aircraft against MANPADS.

`(2) MANPADS- The term `MANPADS' has the meaning given such term in section 4026(e) of Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458).

`(3) NEWLY MANUFACTURED TURBOJET POWERED AIRCRAFT- The term `newly manufactured turbojet powered aircraft' means a turbojet powered aircraft manufactured after the date of issuance of the first type certificate or supplemental type certificate under section 44704 for a counter-MANPADS system.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The analysis for chapter 447 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:

`44729. Installation of counter-MANPADS systems.'.

END