To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study to assess whether certain aircraft certified under part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, may be used in operations conducted under part 121 of such title, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Representative Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require the FAA to begin, within 180 days, a study to determine whether 10–19 seat Part 23 certificated aircraft can safely operate in scheduled Part 121 commercial service. The study would examine changing aircraft economics for small communities, review applicable foreign regulatory frameworks, and solicit technical input from manufacturers, small and rural communities (including places receiving subsidies under Subchapter II of Chapter 417 of Title 49), and aviation safety experts with Part 23 and Part 25 airworthiness knowledge.
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- Small, rural, and remote communities: The study would assess how allowing these smaller aircraft in scheduled service could affect air access and the economics of routes that have seen service declines, including communities receiving federal subsidies under Subchapter II of Chapter 417.
- Aircraft manufacturers and operators: Manufacturers would be asked for technical advice, and operators could get new analysis on whether certain aircraft designs are practical for scheduled Part 121 service.
- FAA and safety experts: The FAA would compare foreign regulatory frameworks and gather expert views on airworthiness rules under Parts 23 and 25 to evaluate safety implications for Part 121 operations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FAA study on small commuter planes
This bill would require the FAA to start a study within 180 days after enactment. The study would assess whether aircraft with 10 to 19 passenger seats, type certificated under Part 23 after August 30, 2017, can safely be used in Part 121 commercial airline service. It would consider changing aircraft economics for carriers that serve small, rural, and remote communities and review foreign regulatory frameworks for similar aircraft. The FAA would solicit technical advice from aircraft manufacturers and their associations, representatives of affected small or subsidized communities (including those under Subchapter II of Chapter 417 of Title 49), and aviation safety experts familiar with Parts 23 and 25 airworthiness rules. When finished, the FAA would send a report on its findings to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
KS • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/9/2026
Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]
KS • R
Sponsored 6/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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