Sponsors (2)
The bill enables a local museum to acquire historic F‑14D aircraft for public display and education without federal purchase costs, but shifts substantial restoration, safety liability, and regulatory compliance risks and costs onto the local recipients.
Local museums, schools, and universities can obtain three historic F‑14D aircraft at no purchase cost for museum display and STEM/aviation education, increasing public access to military aviation history.
Permits partnerships with qualified nonprofits to restore and display the aircraft, expanding community engagement through airshows, commemorative events, and volunteer-led restoration projects.
Transfers place restoration and ongoing maintenance costs on the recipient rather than requiring federal outlays, avoiding direct taxpayer expenditure for surplus aircraft disposition.
The Commission and local recipients must pay all restoration, maintenance, compliance, and transfer-related costs, which can strain local budgets, jeopardize other programs, or lead to higher admission/ticket fees.
If the recipient breaches conditions (for example FAA rules or transfer restrictions), title can revert to the U.S., creating a risk of sunk restoration and maintenance costs for the Commission and its partners.
Recipients and contractors bear liability for injuries or damage related to aircraft display or use; inadequate restoration or maintenance could create safety risks for visitors and participants.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Conveys three surplus F‑14D aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission at no cost, with strict conditions on capability, repairs, parts, transfers, costs, liability, and legal compliance.
Introduced March 23, 2026 by Timothy Patrick Sheehy · Last progress April 28, 2026
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer ownership of three surplus F‑14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama at no cost, subject to strict conditions limiting weapon or combat capability, requiring use of existing Navy spare parts and manuals, FAA compliance, and Secretary approval for further transfers. The Commission must pay all costs related to the transfer, restoration, and display; the conveyance includes reversion language for breaches and makes the aircraft subject to U.S. export, arms control, and related laws. The transfer may allow the Commission to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations for restoration and public display but disclaims further U.S. support or liability after transfer and permits the Secretary to add terms to protect U.S. interests.