ROTOR Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The bill responds to airspace-safety concerns by limiting the sensitive-government-mission exception from ADS-B Out tracking, excluding routine training, proficiency flights, and flights of officials below Cabinet rank. FAA must issue ADS-B In requirements for aircraft that already must carry ADS-B Out, with a December 31, 2031 equipage deadline and lower-cost alternatives for smaller Part 91 aircraft. It orders an Army Inspector General audit of Army coordination with FAA, pilot standards, Black Hawk maintenance and calibration practices, and National Capital Region helicopter operations. FAA must create or designate an office for FAA-DOD coordination, run reviews of Washington, D.C. and Class B/Class C airspace routes, and sign safety-data MOUs with the armed services.
Who Benefits and How
Commercial airlines, passengers, airport operators, air traffic controllers, and aviation labor organizations benefit from better visibility into nearby military, law-enforcement, emergency, and civilian aircraft. FAA safety offices gain stronger data-sharing channels with DOD and the armed services. Smaller general-aviation operators benefit from the option to meet ADS-B In awareness requirements through lower-cost portable or electronic-flight-bag tools where FAA allows.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal aircraft operators lose broad discretion to hide ADS-B Out signals for training or lower-level official travel. Aircraft owners covered by ADS-B Out rules face ADS-B In equipment or operating requirements by 2031. The Army, DOD, Coast Guard, and FAA must complete audits, MOUs, route reviews, public reports, and continuing briefings to Congress.
Key Provisions
- Narrows the sensitive-government-mission exception to ADS-B Out so routine training and non-Cabinet official flights generally remain visible.
- Requires FAA to mandate ADS-B In traffic-awareness equipment or approved alternatives for most ADS-B Out aircraft by December 31, 2031.
- Orders an Army Inspector General audit of FAA coordination, pilot qualification standards, Black Hawk maintenance protocols, and National Capital Region helicopter operations.
- Creates or designates a FAA-DOD coordination office and requires safety reviews of Washington-area routes and major controlled airspace.
- Requires FAA safety-data memoranda with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard and repeals a prior ADS-B provision for certain DOD aircraft.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Tightens aircraft tracking and safety coordination rules by narrowing ADS-B Out exceptions, mandating ADS-B In equipage for most aircraft, auditing Army helicopter operations, and creating a FAA-DOD coordination office.
Key Policy Areas
Transportation, Defense, Public Safety
Primary Purpose
Tightens aircraft tracking and safety coordination rules by narrowing ADS-B Out exceptions, mandating ADS-B In equipage for most aircraft, auditing Army helicopter operations, and creating a FAA-DOD coordination office.
Policy Domains
Substantive provisions
Identified Gains
- Federal Aviation Administration safety offices
- Department of Defense aviation safety offices
- commercial air carriers
- aviation labor organizations
- airport safety committees
Identified Costs
- Department of Defense aviation units
- Federal aircraft operators
- Army aviation safety offices
- aircraft equipment owners
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Mr. Onder (for himself and Mr. Beyer) introduced the following …
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in …
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4853)
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Air traffic controllers, Aircraft owners subject to ADS-B Out, Airport operators near congested airspace
Air Force aviation safety offices, Army aviation commands, Army aviation safety offices
Congressional transportation committees, FAA aviation safety offices, FAA safety offices
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology