S.Amdt. 4190

The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (or ROTOR Act) is an amendment to bill H.R. 6938. Its purpose is to increase transparency and safety oversight for rotorcraft and other aircraft operations within the national airspace system, with a specific focus on government and military flight accountability.

The amendment aims to add the following changes and requirements to the bill:

ADS-B Out and In Requirements

• It narrows the definition of "sensitive government mission" to prevent routine or non-classified flights (and flights of officials below Cabinet Member or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff rank) from avoiding ADS-B Out transmissions.
• It requires the FAA to create a final rule requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In equipment by December 31, 2031, to improve pilot situational awareness.
• It mandates a strategic roadmap and action plan for the deployment of ACAS-X technology.

Oversight and Accountability

• It establishes strict reporting requirements for agencies performing sensitive missions, including monthly notifications to Congress for missions in Class B airspace.
• It requires the GAO to review the use of ADS-B exceptions and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to conduct annual audits of FAA oversight.
• It mandates an audit by the Inspector General of the Army regarding Army coordination with the FAA, pilot training, and the use of ADS-B Out, specifically in the National Capital Region.

Airspace Safety and Coordination

• It creates an Office of FAA-DOD Coordination within the FAA to manage military and rotorcraft airspace usage.
• It requires safety reviews of flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other Class B, C, and D airports to evaluate risks to commercial transport airplanes.
• It requires Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the FAA and the Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to share aviation safety information.