S.Amdt. 4242

The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (or ROTOR ACT) is an amendment to bill H.R. 7148. Its purpose is to increase oversight, transparency, and safety requirements for aircraft operations, with a specific focus on government and military rotorcraft.

The amendment aims to change or add the following to the bill:

ADS-B Out and In Requirements

• It narrows the definition of "sensitive government mission" to prevent routine or non-classified flights from avoiding ADS-B Out transmissions.
• It requires the FAA to create a rule requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In equipment by December 31, 2031.
• It establishes reporting requirements for agencies that turn off ADS-B Out and mandates audits by the Department of Transportation Inspector General.

Safety Oversight and Audits

• It orders the Inspector General of the Army to audit Army coordination with the FAA, pilot training, and the use of ADS-B Out, specifically regarding operations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
• It creates an Office of FAA-DOD Coordination to conduct safety reviews of flight operations at various airport classes (B, C, and D) to evaluate risks to commercial transport airplanes.
• It requires the FAA to establish 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 the deployment of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System-X (ACAS-X).
• It tasks the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to assess if aircraft in Class D airspace need ADS-B Out and In equipment.

Legal Adjustments

• It repeals specific manned rotary wing aircraft safety provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
• It updates the legal status and effect of a May 10, 2024, Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Defense and the FAA.