ROTOR Act

This bill proposes to enhance aviation safety by requiring most aircraft to be equipped with technology that receives location and traffic data from other aircraft. It would also limit the types of flights eligible for security-related tracking exemptions, increase reporting requirements for those exemptions, and repeal a specific tracking exemption for military helicopters in the Washington, D.C. area. Additionally, the bill would establish a new Federal Aviation Administration office to coordinate military airspace usage and mandate safety audits regarding military and civilian flight coordination.

This bill affects aircraft operators and pilots, who would be required to use ADS-B In equipment to receive location information and traffic advisories. It also impacts the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office through new oversight, auditing, and reporting mandates. Additionally, military agencies and personnel—specifically those operating helicopters in the Washington, D.C. area or conducting sensitive government missions—are affected by the removal of certain equipment exemptions and new coordination requirements between the Army and the FAA.

• Mandatory ADS-B In equipment requirements. Requires aircraft to operate with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In technology to receive location data and traffic advisories regarding other aircraft.
• Restrictions on ADS-B Out exceptions. Limits the types of flights that qualify as sensitive government missions exempt from ADS-B Out requirements and adds new reporting and notification mandates for such exceptions.
• Repeal of military helicopter exemptions. Repeals a 2025 law that provided certain military helicopters with an exemption from ADS-B Out requirements within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
• Enhanced oversight and auditing of flight exceptions. Directs the Government Accountability Office to review ADS-B Out exceptions and requires the Department of Transportation's Inspector General to conduct annual audits of FAA oversight regarding these operations.
• Military and FAA coordination improvements. Establishes an FAA office to coordinate military airspace usage and requires the Army's Inspector General to audit coordination efforts between the Army and the FAA.
• Safety reviews and information sharing. Directs the FAA to review the safety of flight routes around airports and enter into formal agreements with military agencies to share safety information.

The bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from tracking requirements in the Washington, D.C. area and modifies existing Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding sensitive government mission exceptions for ADS-B Out equipment. It also expands current aviation requirements by mandating ADS-B In equipment, which is not required under existing law.

The bill aims to enhance aviation safety by expanding requirements for aircraft tracking and communication technology, specifically requiring the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment. It also seeks to increase transparency and oversight regarding exceptions to these tracking requirements for government and military flight operations.