ROTOR Act

This bill aims to make flying safer by improving how aircraft see and avoid each other, tightening when government flights can turn off tracking, and studying safer helicopter routes—especially around Washington, DC. It tells the FAA to require most new planes to carry “ADS‑B In,” a device that shows nearby traffic to pilots. It also pushes older planes that already use “ADS‑B Out” in busy airspace to add “ADS‑B In,” with some exceptions like balloons and gliders. The FAA would set these rules within 2 years, and they must take effect within 3 years after that, with up to 2 extra years for certain aircraft if needed . The bill narrows when government flights can claim an exception to broadcasting their position during training in major airport airspace, unless it’s for a national security event, and it tells agencies to report how often they fly with tracking turned off. The FAA must also guide defense, security, and law‑enforcement flights to use other traffic‑alert tools when possible, and report to Congress every six months; these reporting steps end after 10 years .

The bill orders a study of a computer‑controlled “dynamic restricted area” for helicopters and powered‑lift aircraft over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, including lights, sounds, and charts to warn pilots when the zone switches on and off. The study starts within 120 days and wraps up in 2 years, with a briefing soon after . It also requires an Army Inspector General audit of Army helicopter training, maintenance, and use of tracking, with a public report, and tells the FAA to quickly review and, if needed, change helicopter routes near commercial airports to improve spacing from airliners. An older law about Defense Department ADS‑B equipment is repealed .

• Who is affected | What changes | When
• Pilots and owners of most new manned aircraft | Must install ADS‑B In | FAA issues rule within 2 years; takes effect within 3 years after rule (some may get up to 2 more years)
• Operators of existing aircraft that already use ADS‑B Out in busy airspace | Must add and use ADS‑B In, unless exempt (e.g., balloons, gliders) | Same timeline as above; FAA can allow limited extra time
• Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies flying with tracking off | Stricter limits on exceptions; quarterly reports to FAA; FAA biannual reports to Congress; use TIS‑B/TCAS when practical | Starts 90–180 days after enactment; reporting ends after 10 years
• Helicopter and powered‑lift operators near DC | Possible new dynamic restricted area over the Potomac; warning systems and procedures studied | Study begins within 120 days; finished in 2 years, then briefed to Congress
• Army helicopter operations in the National Capital Region | Independent audit of training, maintenance, tracking use; public report | Audit starts within 60 days; report released after audit ends
• Helicopter routes near commercial airports nationwide | FAA review and route changes to improve separation from airliners | Review starts within 30 days; briefing within 180 days