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51 U.S.C. 40701: Research and development initiativeText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 51-NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMSCHAPTER 407-ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT

§40701. Research and development initiative

The Administrator may establish an initiative with the objective of developing, and demonstrating in a relevant environment, technologies to enable the following commercial aircraft performance characteristics:

(1)  Noise levels.⁠—Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from which such commercial aircraft would normally operate.

(2)  Energy consumption.⁠—Twenty-five percent reduction in the energy required for medium- to long-range flights, compared to aircraft in commercial service as of December 30, 2005.

(3)  Emissions.⁠—Nitrogen oxides on take-off and landing that are significantly reduced, without adversely affecting hydrocarbons and smoke, relative to aircraft in commercial service as of December 30, 2005.

( Pub. L. 111–314, § 3 , Dec. 18, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3390 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

40701

42 U.S.C. 16722(a).

Pub. L. 109–155, title IV, § 422(a), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2924.

In paragraphs (2) and (3), the date “December 30, 2005” is substituted for “the date of enactment of this Act” to reflect the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–155, 119 Stat. 2895).