FAA Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act of 2023

FAA Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act of 2023

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to carry out applied research and development on severe air turbulence.

Specifically, the FAA, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and in consultation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, must carry out applied research and development to

• enhance the monitoring and understanding of severe turbulence, including clear air turbulence (i.e., sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent buffeting of aircraft); and
• inform the development of measures to mitigate safety impacts on crew and the flying public that may result from severe turbulence.

The FAA may enter into agreements with commercial providers to purchase turbulence data and place instruments on aircraft in order to understand and monitor turbulence. Data collected pursuant to this bill must be widely available and accessible to scientific research, user, and stakeholder communities.

Further, the FAA, in collaboration with NOAA, must submit a report to Congress on the research. The report must identify future research and development needed to predict and mitigate the safety impacts that may result from severe turbulence, including clear air turbulence.

Bill 118 hr 4082, also known as the FAA Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act of 2023, aims to improve the safety and efficiency of air travel by enhancing research and development efforts related to severe turbulence. The bill specifically focuses on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its role in studying and mitigating the effects of severe turbulence on aircraft.

The legislation calls for increased funding for research initiatives that will help better understand the causes and characteristics of severe turbulence. This includes investing in new technologies and tools that can improve forecasting and detection of turbulent weather patterns. By enhancing our ability to predict and avoid areas of severe turbulence, the bill seeks to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries for passengers and crew members.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the FAA, airlines, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry. By working together to share data and best practices, the goal is to develop more effective strategies for managing and responding to severe turbulence events. Overall, the FAA Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act of 2023 represents a bipartisan effort to prioritize safety and innovation in the aviation sector. By investing in research and technology, the bill aims to make air travel safer and more reliable for all passengers.