S.Amdt. 3998

The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act, also known as the ROTOR Act, is an amendment to H.R. 4016. Its purpose is to increase transparency and safety oversight for rotorcraft and other aircraft operations within the national airspace system.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• ADS-B Out Reforms: It narrows the definition of a sensitive government mission to prevent routine or non-classified flights from avoiding ADS-B Out transmissions. It requires stricter notifications to Air Traffic Control and Congress, mandates FAA rulemaking to update regulations, and establishes GAO reviews and Inspector General audits to ensure compliance.

• ADS-B In Requirements: It directs the FAA Administrator to create a rule requiring most aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In equipment by December 31, 2031, to improve situational awareness of other aircraft. It also includes provisions for low-cost alternative technology for smaller aircraft.

• Safety Reviews and Oversight:

  • It mandates a safety review of flight operations in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area and other Class B, C, and D airports to evaluate risks to commercial transport airplanes.
  • It establishes an Office of FAA-DOD Coordination to manage military and civil airspace usage.
  • It requires the Inspector General of the Army to audit Army coordination with the FAA and the use of ADS-B Out.

• Information Sharing: It requires the FAA to enter into Memorandums of Understanding with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to share aviation safety information.

• Technology and Planning: It requires an action plan for deploying ACAS-X technology and tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to assess equipment needs for aircraft in Class D airspace.

• Repeals: It repeals the manned rotary wing aircraft safety provisions of Section 373(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.