Sponsors (7)
The bill seeks to speed and make aircraft certification more predictable and to bolster U.S. leadership in advanced aviation through deadlines, reporting, and standards incorporation—trading greater regulatory predictability and industry growth against increased FAA workload, potential safety pressure from rushed timelines, reduced agency flexibility, and fewer judicial remedies for delayed actions.
Aircraft and engine manufacturers, applicants, and operators will get clearer, time‑bound certification processes and delegation rules, making certification more predictable and likely faster so new aircraft and advanced air mobility can enter service sooner.
FAA transparency and accountability increase through required reporting to Congress and required documentation/management review when the FAA declines to use authorized representatives, giving industry and oversight bodies clearer information on FAA performance.
Converting stable issue papers into published policy or advisory circulars and annually incorporating stable means-of-compliance into product airworthiness standards reduces regulatory uncertainty and can shorten certification timelines for new aircraft and modifications.
Pilots, passengers, and the public could face increased safety risks if rigid certification deadlines and rushed rulemaking pressure FAA staff to prioritize speed over thorough review.
Taxpayers, industry, and FAA staff may face higher administrative costs and diverted resources as the FAA implements new timelines, reporting, rule conversions, and training, which could raise fees or reduce attention to other safety work.
Individuals and regulated parties lose the ability to seek judicial remedies when the agency misses internal timelines, reducing accountability and options to enforce timely decisions.
Based on analysis of 12 sections of legislative text.
Directs the FAA to publish a plan, set standard expected timelines and delegation guidance, reduce recurring issue papers, and report annually to Congress to make type certification more predictable.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Troy E. Nehls · Last progress February 12, 2026
Requires the FAA to make aircraft and engine type certification more transparent and predictable by publishing a public plan, setting standard expected timelines for certification milestones, and updating internal guidance on issue papers and delegation of certification authority. The FAA must consult stakeholders, publish new delegation guidance, encourage consensus and performance‑based standards, report annually to Congress with metrics and missed‑timeline explanations, and clarifies that the timelines do not create new legal rights or permit judicial review.