Summary#
This bill, named the ROTOR Act, would change rules about aircraft tracking equipment and airspace near Washington, D.C. It directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to write new rules and reports, studies a dynamic restricted area over the Potomac River, orders an Army audit, reviews helicopter routes near airports, and repeals a prior statute about certain Department of Defense ADS-B equipment.
Key actions in the bill:
- The FAA must clarify that the "sensitive government mission" exception to the ADS-B Out transmission rule does not include routine training or proficiency flights inside the lateral boundaries of Class B or C airspace unless for a national security event. The FAA must issue or revise this clarification within 1 year of enactment.
- The FAA must issue guidance within 180 days encouraging aircraft operating for national defense, homeland security intelligence, or law enforcement to use TIS-B and TCAS where practical.
- Agencies that operate ADS-B Out must submit quarterly reports to the FAA about their ADS-B Out transmit operations. The FAA must report to Congress biannually on ADS-B Out exceptions and whether they jeopardize aviation safety. These reporting requirements end 10 years after enactment.
- The FAA must issue rules requiring ADS-B In equipment on newly manufactured manned aircraft registered in the United States (rulemaking to start within 2 years and final rule effective within 3 years of issuance). The FAA must also require ADS-B In for aircraft already required to have ADS-B Out in certain airspace, with limited allowances for extra time and some small-aircraft equipment options. Balloons, gliders without electrical systems, and aircraft described in 14 C.F.R. 91.225(e) are excepted.
- The FAA must study the feasibility, costs, and benefits of a "dynamic restricted area" for rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The study must start within 120 days and finish in 2 years, and include technical, training, mapping, warning, and controller-override considerations.
- The Army Inspector General must audit Army coordination with the FAA, pilot training and qualification standards, ADS-B Out use and compliance, maintenance practices for certain helicopters, and related agreements. The Army must send the unredacted audit report to Congress and publicly release it (except as needed for national security) shortly after the audit concludes.
- The FAA must review charted helicopter routes where fixed-wing and rotorcraft paths may not provide enough separation and modify routes as needed, with a congressional briefing within 180 days.
- The bill repeals section 1046 of the John S. McCain NDAA for FY2019, which related to ADS-B equipment on certain Department of Defense aircraft.
What it means for you#
- Aircraft manufacturers: New manned aircraft registered in the U.S. would need ADS-B In equipment once the FAA finishes its rulemaking and the rule takes effect.
- Owners and operators of aircraft already required to have ADS-B Out in certain airspace may be required to install ADS-B In as well, subject to FAA rulemaking and limited timing adjustments.
- Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies that use ADS-B Out must report transmission activity and exceptions to the FAA on a quarterly basis.
- Pilots of balloons and some gliders without electrical systems would not be required to meet the ADS-B In rules if they fall under the cited exception.
- Rotorcraft and powered-lift operations near DCA could be affected by future changes if the FAA study leads to a dynamic restricted area or route changes.
- The Army will be audited on its ADS-B Out practices, training, and maintenance and must disclose the audit results to Congress and the public except for national security redactions.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
The bill text states its purpose "to require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other purposes." Proponents, as reflected by the text and sponsor list, would view the measures as steps to improve airspace transparency, increase safety between fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft, and strengthen oversight of ADS-B Out exceptions and military coordination.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.