PUBLIC LAW 106-181—APR. 5, 2000 114 STAT. 145 Deadline. 49 USC 44505 note. 49 USC 44706 note. Deadlines. SEC. 515. PRECISION APPROACH PATH INDICATORS. Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall solicit comments on the need for the installation of precision approach path indicators. SEC. 516. AIRCRAFT DISPATCHERS. (a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall conduct a study of the role of aircraft dispatchers in enhancing aviation safety. (b) CONTENTS.— The study shall include an assessment of whether or not aircraft dispatchers should be required for those operations not presently requiring aircraft dispatcher assistance, operational control issues related to the aircraft dispatching functions, and whether or not designation of positions within the Federal Aviation Administration for oversight of dispatchers would enhance aviation safety. (c) REPORT. — Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact- Deadline, ment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under this section. SEC. 517. IMPROVED TRAINING FOR AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT 49 USC 44515 MECHANICS. note. The Administrator shall form a partnership with industry and labor to develop a model program to improve the curricula, teaching methods,:\nd quality of instructors for training individuals that need certification as airframe and powerplant mechanics. SEC. 518. SMALL AIRPORT CERTIFICATION. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking on implementing section 44706(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, relating to issuance of airport operating certificates for small scheduled passenger air carrier operations. Not later Regulations than 1 year after the last day of the period for public comment provided for in the notice of proposed rulemaking, the Administrator shall issue a final rule on implementing such program. SEC. 519. PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES PROVIDING AIR SAFETY INFORMATION. (a) GENERAL RULE. — Chapter 421 is amended by adding at the end the following: "SUBCHAPTER III—WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION PROGRAM " §42121. Protection of employees providing air safety information "(a) DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AiRLiNE EMPLOYEES.— No air carrier or contractor or subcontractor of an air carrier may discharge an employee or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employ- ment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the employee)— "(1) provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide (with any knowledge of the employer) or cause to be provided to the employer or Federal Government information relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any
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