FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING AND STAFFING.

SEC. 605. FAA TECHNICAL TRAINING AND STAFFING.(a) Study.—(1) In general.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct a study to assess the adequacy of the Administrator’s technical training strategy and improvement plan for airway transportation systems specialists (in this section referred to as “FAA systems specialists”).(2) Contents.—The study shall include—(A) a review of the current technical training strategy and improvement plan for FAA systems specialists;(B) recommendations to improve the technical training strategy and improvement plan needed by FAA systems specialists to be proficient in the maintenance of the latest technologies;(C) a description of actions that the Administration has undertaken to ensure that FAA systems specialists receive up-to-date training on the latest technologies; and(D) a recommendation regarding the most cost-effective approach to provide training to FAA systems specialists.(3) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study.(b) Workload of Systems Specialists.—(1) Study by national academy of sciences.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make appropriate arrangements for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the assumptions and methods used by the Federal Aviation Administration to estimate staffing needs for FAA systems specialists to ensure proper maintenance and certification of the national airspace system.(2) Consultation.—In conducting the study, the National Academy of Sciences shall—(A) consult with the exclusive bargaining representative certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and(B) include recommendations for objective staffing standards that maintain the safety of the national airspace system.(3) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the initiation of the arrangements under paragraph (1), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study.