Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3634

Introduced

5/24/23

Refer

5/24/23

Refer

5/25/23

Caption

Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2023

Impact

If enacted, HB3634 will significantly impact state and federal regulations concerning aviation safety. Aircraft operated under certain FAA regulations will be required to install advanced flight recording technologies. This includes the introduction of tamper-resistant systems to broadcast location data upon an accident, ensuring that search and rescue operations can respond faster and more effectively. Furthermore, the bill aims to align U.S. regulations with international standards set forth by organizations such as the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Summary

House Bill 3634, known as the 'Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2023', aims to enhance aviation safety by establishing new requirements for flight recorders on commercial passenger aircraft. The bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create regulations mandating the installation of a secondary combination digital flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) that can recover data without requiring underwater retrieval. This initiative comes in response to previous crash investigations where delays in locating black boxes hindered safety inquiries and rescue operations.

Contention

Notably, the legislation addresses technological shortcomings observed in past air crash recoveries, highlighting cases like the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappearance, which became one of the most costly and prolonged searches in aviation history. Critics may express concerns about the financial implications for airlines related to the integration of these advanced technologies, but proponents argue the long-term benefits of improved safety and quicker recovery capabilities justify the costs. The NTSB has emphasized the importance of equipping aircraft for swift recovery of critical data to support timely investigations, enhancing overall public confidence in aviation safety.

Latest HB3634 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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