New Aviation Safety Bill Mandates Advanced Tracking by 2031

The U.S. Senate took decisive action on Tuesday, passing a significant aviation safety bill that mandates advanced aircraft-tracking technology by 2031, in response to a tragic collision in January that claimed 67 lives. The new legislation requires both civilian aircraft and military helicopters near civilian planes to be equipped with ADS-B technology.

In a notable oversight, the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the fatal accident did not utilize ADS-B. Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz remarked that the bill addresses a critical gap by ensuring military aircraft communicate their position similarly to civilian planes, enhancing overall air safety.

Lawmakers from both political parties and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the Federal Aviation Administration for its lack of timely action regarding military helicopter operations near Washington Reagan National Airport. The legislation mandates comprehensive safety reviews at major airports and initiates an Army Inspector General's audit to bolster safety coordination.