← Back to Bills
H.R. 10303House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

FLIGHT DECK Act

Sponsored by Nellie PouRep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ)
Introduced September 4, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM UTC

The FLIGHT DECK Act requires the FAA Administrator to set up a voluntary training program that lets certified air traffic controllers ride in the flight decks of commercial, cargo, powered‑lift, or general‑aviation aircraft. The goal is to give controllers first‑hand experience with the cockpit environment and crew requirements. Participation is optional, unpaid, and considered on‑duty time. The FAA must report to Congress on the program’s use and any obstacles after it is established.

Key Provisions

  • Within one year of enactment, the FAA must create a voluntary program allowing eligible air traffic controllers to sit in the flight deck of participating aircraft on at least one round‑trip flight within the U.S., its territories, Alaska, Hawaii, and possessions.
  • Controllers are eligible participants; they receive no reimbursement for travel expenses and must obtain management approval based on operational and staffing needs.
  • Time spent in the flight deck counts as on‑duty work for the participating controllers.
  • The FAA must develop policies in consultation with airline pilot and crew unions and the air traffic controllers’ bargaining representative, and may set ticketing and security clearance rules to protect safety.
  • The Act does not require airlines to displace off‑duty pilots or otherwise alter crew assignments to accommodate the program.
  • A report detailing participation numbers, flight types, barriers, and recommendations must be submitted to the House and Senate transportation committees within one year after the program starts.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

September 4, 2026

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 4, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

September 4, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued September 4, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10303

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 4, 2026

Ms. Pou (for herself, Mr. Bresnahan, and Ms. Scholten) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a flight deck training program for certain employees of the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Flight Logistics Initiative to Gain Heightened Travel Data and Enhance Communication Knowledge Act or the FLIGHT DECK Act.

2.

Flight deck training program

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a voluntary flight deck training program under which eligible employees of the Federal Aviation Administration may access the flight deck of voluntarily participating commercial passenger, air cargo, powered lift, or general aviation aircraft during flights for the purpose of familiarizing certified air traffic controllers with the complex onboard requirements experienced by flight crews.

(b)

Eligible employees

Certified air traffic controllers shall be eligible to participate in the program established under subsection (a).

(c)

Participation

Eligible employees under subsection (b) participating in the program established under subsection (a) may sit in the flight deck for at least 1 round trip to immediate and destination airports within the coterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and United States Possessions and Territories, except that—

(1)

reimbursement of any expenses, including per diem and mileage, will not be authorized or paid; and

(2)

an eligible employee may only participate in the program subject to operational and staffing requirements with management approval.

(d)

Considerations

An eligible employee participating in the program established under subsection (a) shall be considered as working on-duty during flight hours participating in the program.

(e)

Regulations and policies

(1)

In general

The Administrator shall, in consultation with organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots, flight crews, and the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, issue such policies as are necessary to carry out the program under subsection (a).

(2)

Additional requirements

The Administrator may prescribe additional ticketing requirements and security clearance eligibility requirements for eligible employees to ensure the safety of pilots, flight crew, and passengers.

(3)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require a voluntarily participating commercial passenger, air cargo, powered lift, or general aviation aircraft to displace or otherwise reassign a off-duty pilot who is using an accessible seat within a flight deck for the purposes of traveling for work or assignment to allow an eligible employee to participate in the flight deck training program.

(f)

Report to Congress

Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the number of air traffic controllers who have participated in the program under this section, the proportion of flights observed on each type of participating aircraft, barriers to participation for both air traffic controllers and airline participants, and recommendations to increase participation both for air traffic controllers and airline participants.