A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Ted Cruz, introduced the ROTOR Act in the U.S. Senate on July 29, 2025, after a fatal mid-air collision in the Washington, DC area. The bill aims to close aviation safety loopholes by requiring new technology and stricter rules for all aircraft, including military flights, in U.S. airspace.
The ROTOR Act is the most significant response yet to recent deadly accidents involving helicopters and other aircraft. It requires all aircraft—military and civilian—to use both ADS-B Out (which broadcasts an aircraft’s position) and ADS-B In (which receives position data from other aircraft). This closes a loophole that previously allowed certain military flights, like Army Black Hawk helicopters, to fly in busy airspace without sharing their location.
The bill also limits when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can grant exceptions. Now, only “sensitive government missions” can get an exemption, not routine training flights. This change repeals a 2019 rule that let the Department of Defense skip these requirements in the busiest airspace around major airports.
Sen. Ted Cruz said, “The ROTOR Act represents a common-sense step forward in aviation safety reform… We will not wait for another accident to happen before we finally protect American skies.” The Regional Airline Association supports the bill, promising to work with lawmakers to make sure new safety tools are used effectively.
Other key parts of the ROTOR Act include:
- FAA review of helicopter routes near busy airports to find and fix risks where helicopters and airplanes fly close together.
- Army Inspector General audit of Army aviation safety practices, which had not been done before.
- FAA study on using real-time signals to help pilots avoid confusion and reduce radio traffic near airports.
- Repeal of military ADS-B exemption except for sensitive missions.
The ROTOR Act follows the Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025, introduced in June, which also seeks to improve safety for military, law enforcement, and civilian aircraft in crowded skies.
If passed, the ROTOR Act will require many military and some civilian aircraft to upgrade their equipment. The FAA will have less freedom to grant exceptions and must review helicopter routes and safety near major airports. The Department of Defense will lose its broad exemption for ADS-B compliance, except for narrowly defined sensitive missions.
Aviation safety experts say universal ADS-B In/Out is proven to help avoid collisions. Military leaders have raised concerns about security, but the bill’s limited exemptions address these worries. Airlines expect the changes to make flying safer, especially near big airports.
The ROTOR Act is moving quickly through the Senate, with strong support from both parties and the public. The FAA is expected to issue new rules and deadlines soon after the bill passes. The Department of Defense will need to plan for aircraft upgrades, while the FAA and Army Inspector General will start reviews and studies within months.
For official updates and the full text of the ROTOR Act, visit the U.S. Senate’s official website. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ROTOR Act is set to bring major changes to aviation safety, closing gaps that have put lives at risk.
Learn Today
ROTOR Act → A 2025 U.S. Senate bill improving aviation safety by requiring advanced tracking tech on all aircraft.
ADS-B Out → Technology broadcasting an aircraft’s position to other planes and air traffic control for collision avoidance.
ADS-B In → Technology allowing aircraft to receive position data from other planes, enhancing situational awareness.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → U.S. government agency regulating civil aviation, managing safety, inspections, and airspace.
Military Exemption → An exception allowing some military flights to skip aviation safety technology requirements in certain airspace.
This Article in a Nutshell
The ROTOR Act improves aviation safety by requiring all U.S. aircraft to use advanced ADS-B technology. It closes military exemptions and mandates FAA route reviews and audits, making American skies safer after recent fatal collisions near major airports.
— By VisaVerge.com
