Air Traffic Management Improvement Act of 1999

Air Traffic Management Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to define "air traffic control system" to mean the combination of specified elements used to safely and efficiently monitor, direct, control, and guide aircraft in the United States and U.S.-assigned airspace.

(Sec. 6) Establishes a Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system, to be appointed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer, including, but not limited to, the: (1) development of a strategic plan of the FAA for the air traffic control system; (2) review of the operational functions of the FAA; and (3) development of a budget request of the FAA related to the air traffic control system. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit the budget request for any fiscal year to the President, who shall submit it, without revision, to specified congressional committees, together with the President's annual budget request for the FAA for such fiscal year.

(Sec. 7) Revises provisions regarding the composition of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council. Requires subsequent appointments of members to the Council to be made by the Secretary (as currently, the President will still make initial appointments of such members).

Directs the Chairman of the Council to constitute an Air Traffic Services Subcommittee to provide comments, recommend modifications, and provide dissenting views to the Administrator on the performance of air traffic services, including: (1) the performance of the Chief Operating Officer and other FAA senior managers within the air traffic organization; (2) long-range and strategic plans for air traffic services; (3) review and make recommendations to the Administrator's plans for any major FAA reorganization that would affect the management of the air traffic control system; and (4) other significant actions the Subcommittee considers appropriate and that are consistent with the implementation of this Act.

(Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to receive, in addition to the annual rate of pay, a bonus not to exceed 50 percent of the annual rate of such pay based upon the Secretary's evaluation of the Administrator's performance.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Administrator to conduct, and report to specified congressional committees on, a comprehensive redesign of the national airspace system. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on the cost allocation system currently under development by the FAA. Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to conduct an assessment to ensure that the method for calculating the overall costs of the FAA and attributing such costs to specific users is appropriate, reasonable, and understandable to the users.

(Sec. 11) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into a joint venture, on a pilot program basis, with Federal and non- Federal entities to establish the Air Traffic Modernization Association (in the District of Columbia) for the purpose of acquiring, procuring or utilizing of air traffic facilities and equipment in accordance with the Airway Capital Investment Plan to improve aviation safety and enhance mobility of the nation's air transportation system. Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on the Association's activities.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 12) Authorizes supplemental appropriations to fund critically needed, and already developed, air traffic control equipment that can be efficiently installed into the National airspace to more safely and efficiently move traffic.