HR3270-119

3. Collegiate Training Initiative program improvements Section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain the Collegiate Training Initiative program (including the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program) by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller with the Department of Transportation (as defined in section 2109 of title 5). The Administrator may establish standards for the entry of institutions into the program and for their continued participation. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may appoint an individual who has successfully completed a course of training in a program described in paragraph (1) to the position of air traffic controller noncompetitively in the excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5). An individual appointed under this paragraph serves at the pleasure of the Administrator, subject to section 7511 of title 5. However, an appointment under this paragraph may be converted from one in the excepted service to a career conditional or career appointment in the competitive civil service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5) when the individual achieves full performance level air traffic controller status, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and carry out a grant program to award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) that have been approved to, or are seeking to (as determined appropriate by the Administrator), participate in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). For the purpose of carrying out the grant program established under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make grants to institutions of higher education. An institution of higher education shall use a grant awarded under this paragraph for the following purposes: To develop curriculum for the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program required under paragraph (1). To provide faculty, simulators, and other necessary classroom supplies (including medical certificates and FAA-required tests) to the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program. For any other purpose determined appropriate by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an institution of higher education shall submit an application to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require. There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out this paragraph. Section 8421a(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— in paragraph (1), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and by adding at the end the following new paragraph: air traffic control instructor, or supervisor thereof, at an institution of higher education participating in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49. The Administrator shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to— review— the curricula of the air traffic technical training academy of the FAA, the Collegiate Training Initiative program, and the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program; and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (in this section referred to as the ATSA) exam; develop findings and recommendations regarding the improvement and modernization of such curricula and the ATSA exam; and provide to the Administrator a report on such findings and recommendations and for other related purposes as determined by the Administrator. The aviation rulemaking committee established under paragraph (1) shall consist of members appointed by the Administrator, including representatives of— institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International; aviation industry organizations; FAA subject matter experts; the exclusive bargaining representative of the air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and other aviation safety experts determined appropriate by the Administrator. The aviation rulemaking committee established under paragraph (1) shall consider the following: The advancements in education technology, including digital resources that may be incorporated into a modern curriculum. The appropriate balance between the use of theoretical knowledge and practical application. A review of instructional techniques to improve the effectiveness of learning outcomes. The real-world applicability of air traffic operations procedures included in the curriculum. Student success rates, including outcomes of air traffic controller trainees when placed at facilities for on-the-job training. Methods for reducing the subjectivity of instructional techniques. Methods for improving the ATSA exam to support controller facility placement determinations. Student success rates correlated to the Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code. Other considerations as determined appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator shall— not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, submit to Congress a copy of the aviation rulemaking committee report provided to the Administrator under paragraph (1)(C); and not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the report under subparagraph (A), in consultation with other agencies as determined appropriate by the Administrator— initiate a rulemaking activity or make such policy and guidance updates necessary to address any consensus recommendations reached by the aviation rulemaking committee; or submit to Congress a supplemental report with an explanation for each such consensus recommendation not adopted by the Administrator through an action under clause (i). The members of the aviation rulemaking committee convened under this subsection shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits from the Federal Government by reason of their service on such committee. (c)Collegiate Training Initiative (1)In generalThe Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain the Collegiate Training Initiative program (including the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program) by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller with the Department of Transportation (as defined in section 2109 of title 5). The Administrator may establish standards for the entry of institutions into the program and for their continued participation. (2)Appointment of program graduatesThe Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may appoint an individual who has successfully completed a course of training in a program described in paragraph (1) to the position of air traffic controller noncompetitively in the excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5). An individual appointed under this paragraph serves at the pleasure of the Administrator, subject to section 7511 of title 5. However, an appointment under this paragraph may be converted from one in the excepted service to a career conditional or career appointment in the competitive civil service (as defined in section 2102 of title 5) when the individual achieves full performance level air traffic controller status, as determined by the Administrator. (3)Enhanced-CTI grant program (A)EstablishmentThe Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and carry out a grant program to award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) that have been approved to, or are seeking to (as determined appropriate by the Administrator), participate in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). (B)Grants (i)In generalFor the purpose of carrying out the grant program established under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make grants to institutions of higher education. (ii)Use of fundsAn institution of higher education shall use a grant awarded under this paragraph for the following purposes: (I)To develop curriculum for the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program required under paragraph (1). (II)To provide faculty, simulators, and other necessary classroom supplies (including medical certificates and FAA-required tests) to the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program. (III)For any other purpose determined appropriate by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (iii)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an institution of higher education shall submit an application to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require. (iv)FundingThere is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out this paragraph.. (3)air traffic control instructor, or supervisor thereof, at an institution of higher education participating in the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49..