PILOT Act

George Whitesides

Democrat · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23)Original· 2026-07-22

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

2026-07-22

Source: Congress.gov

The Department of Defense would be required to study and report back to Congress on whether it could hire more test pilots and flight test engineers from civilian pilot training schools to help with military aircraft testing. This could expand the pool of qualified professionals available to test new military aircraft and equipment. The report would help Congress understand if this approach could improve military testing capabilities while potentially reducing costs.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9889 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9889 To direct the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the potential expansion of pathways for graduates of civilian test pilot schools to serve as test pilots and flight test engineers in support of military testing activities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2026 Mr. Whitesides (for himself and Mr. Obernolte) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the potential expansion of pathways for graduates of civilian test pilot schools to serve as test pilots and flight test engineers in support of military testing activities, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Increased Local Opportunities for Test-pilots Act'' or the ``PILOT Act''. SEC. 2. REPORT ON EXPANSION OF PATHWAYS FOR CIVILIAN TEST PILOTS TO SUPPORT MILITARY TESTING ACTIVITIES. (a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the pathways available under Defense Contract Management Agency Instruction 8210-1D for graduates of accredited civilian test pilot schools in the United States to serve as test pilots and flight test engineers in support of military testing activities. (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include-- (1) an assessment of the current capacity of military and approved civilian test pilots to support military test activities, set forth separately by Armed Force; (2) an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of modifying Defense Contract Management Agency Instruction 8210- 1D to authorize all graduates of accredited civilian test pilot schools in the United States to support military test activities, including any potential benefits or risks associated with such a modification; and (3) identification of an appropriate certification process for civilian test pilot schools in the United States to ensure that-- (A) graduates of such schools fully meet the education and training requirements stipulated in Defense Contract Management Agency Instruction 8210-1D; and (B) the curriculum of such schools aligns with the curriculum of military test pilot schools. <all>

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