S1535-118

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Response Aviation Modernization and Safety Act.

2. Wildfire suppression To ensure that sufficient firefighting resources are available to suppress wildfires and protect public safety and property, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations to clarify that— an operation described in section 21.25(b)(7) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall allow the transport of firefighters on board a covered aircraft operated on a mission to suppress a wildfire; and the noise standards described in part 36 of such title shall not apply to such an operation. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall amend FAA Order 8110.56, Restricted Category Type Certification (dated February 27, 2006), as well as any corresponding policy or guidance material, to reflect the requirements of subsection (a). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the Administrator’s authority to take action otherwise authorized by law to protect aviation safety or passenger safety. For purposes of this section: The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The term covered aircraft means an aircraft type-certificated in the restricted category under section 21.25 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.