PILOT Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** The PILOT Act would require the Secretary of Defense, working with the secretaries of the military departments, to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees by January 1, 2027. The report would examine whether it is feasible and advisable to expand the pathways under an existing Defense Contract Management Agency policy (Instruction 8210-1D) that governs how graduates of civilian test pilot schools can work as test pilots or flight test engineers on military testing activities. It would assess current test pilot capacity by military branch, evaluate benefits and risks of letting more civilian school graduates qualify, and identify a certification process to ensure civilian schools' training matches military requirements.
**Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense and the military branches, as well as civilian test pilot schools and their graduates who might seek expanded opportunities to support military flight testing. It does not itself change any hiring rules or certification standards.
**Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. George Whitesides with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, its only mandated action is the DoD report; any actual policy changes would require further legislative or administrative action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9889 do?
- **What the bill would do:** The PILOT Act would require the Secretary of Defense, working with the secretaries of the military departments, to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees by January 1, 2027. The report would examine whether it is feasible and advisable to expand the pathways under an existing Defense Contract Management Agency policy (Instruction 8210-1D) that governs how graduates of civilian test pilot schools can work as test pilots or flight test engineers on military testing activities. It would assess current test pilot capacity by military branch, evaluate benefits and risks of letting more civilian school graduates qualify, and identify a certification process to ensure civilian schools' training matches military requirements. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects the Department of Defense and the military branches, as well as civilian test pilot schools and their graduates who might seek expanded opportunities to support military flight testing. It does not itself change any hiring rules or certification standards. **Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. George Whitesides with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, its only mandated action is the DoD report; any actual policy changes would require further legislative or administrative action.
- Has H.R. 9889 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9889. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9889?
- H.R. 9889 was sponsored by Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27] (D-CA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9889?
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. (22 Jul 2026).
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