The ROTOR Act: New Aviation Safety and Tracking Requirements

• •The FAA must clarify that 'sensitive government missions' cannot include routine training or proficiency flights in busy Class B or C airspace unless it is for a national security event.
• •The FAA must issue guidance encouraging government aircraft to use TIS-B and TCAS collision avoidance technology.
• •Government agencies must report quarterly to the FAA on all flights where tracking equipment (ADS-B Out) was turned off.
• •The FAA must report to Congress biannually on the frequency and nature of tracking exceptions granted to government agencies.
• •Newly manufactured manned aircraft must be equipped with ADS-B In technology within 5 years of the bill's enactment.
• •Existing manned aircraft required to have ADS-B Out must install ADS-B In technology within 5 years of the bill's enactment.
• •The FAA must study the feasibility of creating a 'dynamic restricted area' for helicopters and powered-lift aircraft over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.
• •The FAA has 1 year to update regulations regarding tracking exceptions and 180 days to issue guidance on collision avoidance technology.
• •Reporting requirements for government agencies expire 10 years after the bill's enactment.
• •The FAA may grant up to 2 years of additional time for aircraft to comply with the ADS-B In installation requirement if justified to Congress.

This bill changes safety equipment requirements for aircraft owners and increases oversight of federal, state, and local government flight operations, potentially impacting how and when government agencies can operate without broadcasting their location.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.