AGING AIRCRAFT RULEMAKING PROCEEDING.

SEC. 402. AGING AIRCRAFT RULEMAKING PROCEEDING. (a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this title, the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding for the purpose of issuing a rule to assure the continuing airworthiness of aging aircraft. (b) Inspections and Record Reviews.— (1) General requirement.—The rule issued pursuant to this section shall, at a minimum, require the Administrator to make such inspections, and conduct such reviews of maintenance and other records, of each aircraft used by an air carrier to provide air transportation as may be necessary to enable the Administrator to determine that such aircraft is in safe condition and is properly maintained for operation in air transportation. (2) Part of heavy maintenance checks.—The inspections and reviews required under paragraph (1) shall be carried out as part of each heavy maintenance check of the aircraft conducted on or after the first day of the 15th year in which the aircraft is in service. (3) Applicability of federal aviation act.—The inspections required under paragraph (1) shall be conducted as provided in section 601(a)(3)(C) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. (c) Demonstration of Structural and Parts Maintenance.—The rule issued pursuant to this section shall, at a minimum, require the air carrier to demonstrate to the Administrator, as part of the inspection required by the rule, that maintenance 105 STAT. 952of the aircraft’s structure, skin, and other age-sensitive parts and components has been adequate and timely enough to ensure the highest degree of safety. (d) Procedures.—The rule issued pursuant to this section shall establish procedures to be followed in carrying out the inspections required by the rule. (e) Availability of Aircraft.—The rule issued pursuant to this section shall require the air carrier to make available to the Administrator the aircraft and such inspection, maintenance, and other records pertaining to the aircraft as the Administrator may require for carrying out reviews required by the rule.