The ROTOR Act is a comprehensive aviation safety bill that focuses on making aircraft more visible to each other and improving coordination between civilian and military aviation. Here's what it does in practical terms:

The main requirement is that most aircraft will need to install ADS-B In equipment by December 31, 2031. Think of ADS-B In as a receiver that lets pilots see where other nearby aircraft are located and get traffic warnings. Currently, many aircraft have ADS-B Out, which broadcasts their position, but they can't receive information from other aircraft. This new rule requires the receiving capability too, which should significantly reduce mid-air collisions. Smaller aircraft under 12,500 pounds can use cheaper alternatives like portable receivers or displays on tablets, so the cost burden isn't the same for everyone.

The bill also creates stricter rules about when government aircraft can hide their location. Previously, military and government planes could turn off their tracking systems fairly easily. Now they can only do this for truly sensitive missions involving high-ranking officials or classified operations—not for routine training flights or regular government business. When they do turn off tracking, they must notify air traffic control and report it to Congress monthly. An independent auditor will check annually to make sure agencies aren't abusing this exception.

Finally, the bill requires the FAA to conduct safety reviews at major airports nationwide to make sure military helicopters, civilian helicopters, and other aircraft operating near commercial airports aren't creating dangerous situations. It also establishes better information-sharing between the military and the FAA so both sides understand what's happening in shared airspace. The goal throughout is clearer skies where everyone can see everyone else, making aviation safer for passengers and crews.

ROTOR Act

Cruz, Ted

Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR ActThis bill addresses aviation safety by increasing&nbsp;requirements for aircraft tracking and communication using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and expanding oversight.As background, ADS-B for broadcasting (Out) and receiving (In) transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control.Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment.Current&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations&nbsp;allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to&nbsp;be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights)&nbsp;and requires&nbsp;additional&nbsp;reporting and notifications&nbsp;for the exception.The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception.Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain&nbsp;military helicopters&nbsp;from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.The bill also requires<ul><li>the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA,</li><li>the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, and</li><li>the FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.</li></ul>