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FAA Suspends Visual Separation in Busy Airspace

March 18, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The FAA will suspend visual separation in Class B and Class C airspace.
Radar separation will be required in Terminal Radar Service Areas.
The change follows a 2025 midair collision near DCA.
The move aims to reduce reliance on pilot 'see and avoid' practices.

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Strategic Implications

This change may indicate a shift towards more structured separation and surveillance in busy airspace, which could enhance safety and reduce the risk of midair collisions. The move suggests the FAA is taking a proactive approach to addressing safety concerns, which could have implications for the broader aviation industry.

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What Happened

New Safety Measure Follows Midair Collision Near Washington DC

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is introducing a new safety measure following a 2025 midair collision between a regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The agency will now require radar separation in busy terminal airspace, suspending the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters. The move applies in Class B and Class C airspace and in Terminal Radar Service Areas where helicopters cross arrival or departure corridors near airports. This change is part of a broader effort to enhance safety and reduce the risk of midair collisions, as reported by AeroTime.

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