Fast-Track to Safer Skies: ROTOR Act Moves to Strengthen Airspace Vigilance

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The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee has approved bipartisan legislation mandating advanced aircraft tracking technology (ADS-B) for all aircraft by 2031, following a fatal midair collision. The bill addresses safety gaps by closing military helicopter communication loopholes and enhancing oversight of mixed air traffic near airports.

In a decisive move to bolster aviation safety, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on October 21, 2025, voted unanimously to approve a critical aviation safety bill aimed at preventing tragedies like the fatal January collision near Reagan Washington National Airport. This collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter resulted in 67 deaths and exposed significant gaps in air traffic safety regulations.

The legislation, known as the ROTOR Act, mandates that all aircraft, including military helicopters operating near civilian aircraft, install Advanced Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology by the end of 2031. This tracking system enables continuous transmissions of precise aircraft location data, enhancing situational awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent midair collisions.

Key points include:

Closing a longstanding loophole that allowed most military helicopters to operate without ADS-B Out transmission, which previously restricted visibility and communication.
Requiring military helicopters to also adopt ADS-B In technology, which improves the pilot’s ability to detect and visualize nearby aircraft, consequently boosting safety.
Tightening federal oversight of mixed-use air traffic involving jets and helicopters near commercial service airports to minimize risks associated with congested airspace.
Mandating new safety assessments of airports nationwide, focusing on risks posed by military and civilian aircraft, drones, emergency responders, and other operations.
Directing the Army Inspector General to conduct an audit to ensure compliance and coordination between military and civilian aviation operations, a response to previous reluctance.

Senators leading the charge, including Republican Ted Cruz, Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Democrat Maria Cantwell, emphasized this bipartisan bill as a long-overdue, common-sense safety improvement to protect travelers. Cruz highlighted that the legislation "closes a dangerous loophole" while Cantwell noted it fulfills decades of calls from safety advocates and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The ROTOR Act will now proceed to the full Senate for consideration, marking a significant step in implementing modernized aerospace safety standards after one of the deadliest U.S. aviation disasters in recent history.

Sources: Reuters, FlightGlobal, DevDiscourse, Aviation Week, Bloomberg Government News, Senate Commerce Committee Reports

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