ROTOR Act

The ROTOR Act (Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act) is a bill designed to enhance aviation safety following a January 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people. The bill would require most aircraft operating in controlled airspace to carry ADS-B In equipment—cockpit devices that allow pilots to see nearby aircraft—in addition to existing location-broadcasting systems. It would also significantly limit when military and government aircraft can operate without broadcasting their location, closing exemptions that previously allowed certain military flights to operate without these tracking systems.

Beyond equipment requirements, the bill would strengthen coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense on safety matters, require comprehensive safety reviews around major airports, and call for updated training for pilots and air traffic controllers. While the bill would impose new costs on aircraft operators, particularly smaller and military operators, supporters argue these measures would substantially reduce the risk of midair collisions in busy airspace. The bill is currently under consideration in the House Aviation Subcommittee and has already passed the Senate.