Comprehensive Legislation Aims to Address Midair Collision Safety Concerns

A sweeping aviation safety bill has been introduced in the US House, building on the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) year-long investigation into a midair collision near Washington Reagan National Airport. The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act (ALERT Act), as it is titled, would require changes to collision-avoidance technology, helicopter routing, air traffic control training, and FAA oversight practices. Industry groups have already voiced support for the bill, citing its comprehensive approach to addressing safety concerns. However, lawmakers must now decide whether to act on the Senate-passed Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (ROTOR Act) as written or advance a broader version of the ALERT Act.