In the nature of a substitute.

The proposed amendment, known as the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (or the ROTOR Act), aims to replace the existing contents of bill S. 2503. Its primary purpose is to increase oversight, transparency, and safety requirements for aircraft operations, specifically focusing on the use of tracking technology and the coordination of military and civil airspace.

The amendment seeks to change and add the following to the bill:

• ADS-B Out Reforms: It narrows the definition of "sensitive government mission" to prevent routine or non-classified flights (including those of officials below Cabinet Member or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff rank) from avoiding ADS-B Out transmissions. It also mandates reporting and audits to ensure these exceptions are not routinely used.

• ADS-B In Requirements: It requires the FAA Administrator to create a rule requiring aircraft (excluding unmanned aircraft) to be equipped with ADS-B In equipment by December 31, 2031, to improve situational awareness for pilots.

• Safety Reviews and Oversight:

  • It establishes an Office of FAA-DOD Coordination to manage military and civil airspace usage.
  • It mandates safety reviews of flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other Class B, C, and D airports.
  • It requires an audit by the Inspector General of the Army regarding 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.

• Additional Mandates: It tasks the ARAC to assess ADS-B requirements for Class D airspace and requires an action plan for the deployment of ACAS-X technology.