; burden of proof Section 2(e) of the Pilot's Bill of Rights ( Public Law 112–153 ; 126 Stat. 1159; 49 U.S.C. 44703 note) is amended— (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) In general In an appeal filed under subsection (d) in a United States district court with respect to a denial, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate by the Administrator— (A) the district court shall review the denial, suspension, or revocation de novo, including by— (i) conducting a full independent review of the complete administrative record of the denial, suspension, or revocation; (ii) permitting additional discovery and the taking of additional evidence; and (iii) making the findings of fact and conclusions of law required by Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure without being bound to any findings of fact of the Administrator or the National Transportation Safety Board. ; (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Burden of proof In an appeal filed under subsection (d) in a United States district court after an exhaustion of administrative remedies, the burden of proof shall be as follows: (A) In an appeal of the denial of an application for the issuance or renewal of an airman certificate under section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, the burden of proof shall be upon the applicant denied an airman certificate by the Administrator. (B) In an appeal of an order issued by the Administrator under section 44709 of title 49, United States Code, the burden of proof shall be upon the Administrator.