✈️ A Major Step Forward for U.S. Aviation Safety

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee has just advanced a bipartisan bill that could reshape how America manages its skies.

Prompted by the tragic February 2025 collision between a regional airliner and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter — which claimed 67 lives — the legislation would require all aircraft, including military helicopters operating near civilian airports, to be equipped with ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) systems by 2031.

🔹 What’s changing:

• Mandatory ADS-B for all operators in mixed-use airspace

• Comprehensive FAA safety reviews of high-risk airports

• New Army Inspector General audits of flight safety and coordination

• Stricter separation protocols between jets and helicopters

🔹 Why it matters:
ADS-B technology isn’t new — the NTSB has recommended its universal adoption for decades. But this is the first time Congress is poised to make it law across both civilian and military fleets.

By improving real-time visibility and airspace awareness, this move could prevent future tragedies and modernize the backbone of U.S. air traffic safety.

👏 Bipartisan support, leadership from Senator Maria Cantwell, and a strong push from the FAA and NTSB show that safety and innovation can (and must) go hand in hand.