Key Safety Provisions and Full NTSB Funding Included in FAA Reauthorization Bill

President Joe Biden signed the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act into law on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the realm of aviation safety and regulation. The act, which provides funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next five years, also includes provisions that expand funds for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents.

One of the key highlights of the legislation is the allocation of $738 million to the NTSB through fiscal year 2028, in addition to the $105 billion in funding for the FAA. This funding boost will enable the NTSB to continue its crucial work in investigating major accidents and making safety recommendations.

Moreover, the reauthorization act incorporates several reforms and practices advocated for by the NTSB. One significant change is the requirement for airlines to equip all aircraft, both new and existing, with cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) capable of storing 25 hours of audio, up from the current two-hour requirement. This enhancement aims to ensure that crucial audio recordings leading up to accidents are preserved for investigators.

Additionally, the legislation mandates that planes flying over oceans must have equipment that can broadcast CVR and flight data recorder data remotely in the event of an accident, addressing recommendations made by the NTSB following the loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 in 2014.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed gratitude for the inclusion of the agency in the FAA reauthorization bill, emphasizing the importance of the increased resources for maintaining the NTSB’s role as a global safety leader. The new legislation reflects a commitment to enhancing aviation safety and implementing critical NTSB recommendations to strengthen the nation’s aviation standards.