Review of miles-in-trail procedures or agreements

(a) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall complete a review of the miles-in-trail standards and procedures to determine if such standards provide for a separation of traffic that is appropriate for operational safety. (b) Considerations In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Administrator may consider— (1) the accuracy of the criteria used to determine the miles-in-trail procedures for air traffic control facilities; (2) whether additional criteria should be incorporated to more appropriately reflect the traffic volume and operational complexity of air traffic control facilities; and (3) the findings and recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board. (c) Standards update Upon completion of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Administrator shall update the miles-in-trail standards and procedures to ensure such standards and procedures are appropriate for operational safety. (d) Review of certain facilities Not later than 90 days after the completion of the review under subsection (a), the Administrator shall initiate a review of the miles-in-trail procedures or agreements at all air traffic control facilities located within Class B or Class C airspace to ensure such procedures or agreements provide for a separation of traffic that is appropriate for operational safety. (e) Consultation In carrying out the review under subsection (d), the Administrator shall consult with, at minimum— (1) the exclusive bargaining representatives of the air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (2) organizations representing air traffic control managers and operations supervisors; (3) sponsors and operators of airports with air traffic control facilities described in subsection (d); (4) organizations representing the certified collective bargaining representatives of pilots operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and (5) air carriers, business aviation, and general aviation operators with operations at airports with air traffic control facilities described in subsection (d). (f) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes— (1) a list of air traffic control facilities identified under subsection (d) as having miles-in-trail procedures or agreements that did not provide for a separation of aircraft traffic appropriate for operational safety; and (2) steps that the Administrator has taken, or plans to take, to modify the miles-in-trail procedures or agreements at each facility listed under paragraph (1) to ensure such procedures or agreements provide for a separation of traffic that is appropriate for operational safety.