H.R. 9622: Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act

This bill would require NASA to study how changes in atmospheric conditions may affect aircraft and airport operations, and whether U.S. aeronautical standards should be updated as a result.

What the study would cover

NASA would conduct the study in consultation with the FAA, NOAA, and other experts or organizations it chooses. The study would look at several topics, including:

• Current atmospheric conditions and how they compare with conditions over the past 50 years.
• Predictions or maps of how atmospheric conditions may change over the next 50 years.
• How those changes could affect the operating, maintenance, and long-term support costs of certain commercial aircraft.
• How many hours at major airports could face weight restrictions for aircraft because of higher temperatures or other atmospheric changes.
• What infrastructure investments airports may need to make in response to those changes.
• Whether future aircraft designs should be modified to account for these conditions.
• How atmospheric changes could affect the performance of aircraft, including range, payload, runway length needed, climb rate, turn rate, operating altitude, and acceleration.
• Whether design requirements for federal government aircraft or related equipment should be updated.
• Whether U.S. aeronautical and atmospheric standards should be updated.
• What criteria should be used for future updates to those standards.

Which aircraft and airports are covered

The bill focuses on:

• The 10 aircraft types still in production that have the most operations at the busiest U.S. commercial airports.
• The 30 U.S. commercial airports with the most passenger boardings.
• Five additional public airports with the highest cargo landed weight.

Deadlines and follow-up

NASA may submit the study results to House and Senate committees within 18 months after the bill becomes law. The bill does not itself change any standards or rules; it only directs a study that could inform later action.

Relevant Companies

• BA — Boeing could be affected if the study leads to future changes in aircraft design requirements or performance-related standards for commercial aircraft.
• RTX — RTX, through its aerospace businesses, could be affected by any future updates to aircraft equipment or design requirements tied to atmospheric conditions.
• GE — GE Aerospace could be affected if future aircraft performance or engine-related standards change in response to the study.
• LMT — Lockheed Martin could be affected if federal aircraft or related equipment design requirements are updated.
• NOC — Northrop Grumman could be affected if government aircraft standards or equipment requirements are revised.
• UAL — United Airlines could be indirectly affected by changes to airport operations, weight restrictions, or aircraft performance requirements.
• AAL — American Airlines could be indirectly affected by changes to aircraft operating limits or airport infrastructure needs.
• DAL — Delta Air Lines could be indirectly affected by any future changes affecting aircraft performance at major airports.
• LUV — Southwest Airlines could be indirectly affected if updated standards change aircraft performance assumptions or airport operating conditions.
• FDX — FedEx could be indirectly affected by any study-driven changes related to cargo airport operations and aircraft weight limits.
• UPS — UPS could be indirectly affected by changes to cargo airport operations or aircraft performance standards.