AOPA urges action on collision avoidance and pilot privacy as Congress debates next steps The U.S. House of Representatives has failed to pass the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act, known as the ROTOR Act, following months of debate after last year’s fatal midair collision near Washington, D.C. The accident, which claimed 67 lives over the Potomac … [Read more...] about House Blocks ROTOR Act; Focus Shifts to ALERT Act and ADS-B Policy
aviation safety
El Paso Airspace Closure Highlights Clash Between Counter-UAS Technology and Aviation Safety
Temporary shutdown exposes growing tension between counter-drone tools, federal authority, and civilian airspace oversight The sudden closure of civilian airspace over El Paso earlier this week did more than disrupt flights. It exposed a deeper challenge facing U.S. regulators and security agencies: how to deploy powerful counter-UAS systems near commercial airports without … [Read more...] about El Paso Airspace Closure Highlights Clash Between Counter-UAS Technology and Aviation Safety
GAO Signals Rising Scrutiny as Drone Deliveries Expand
Federal watchdog highlights safety and oversight challenges as BVLOS operations grow Drone delivery in the United States continues to expand. But as operations scale, federal oversight is also intensifying. A recent blog post from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examines the expected growth of drone delivery services and raises ongoing safety considerations. … [Read more...] about GAO Signals Rising Scrutiny as Drone Deliveries Expand
FAA Finalizes Permanent Flight Restrictions Near Reagan National Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an interim final rule permanently restricting certain aircraft operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), formalizing measures first imposed after a fatal midair collision in January 2025. Announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the rule limits helicopter and powered-lift operations in a … [Read more...] about FAA Finalizes Permanent Flight Restrictions Near Reagan National Airport
ADS-B, Privacy, and the Growing Tension in a Shared Airspace
AOPA Calls Members to Action to Limit ADS-B Misuse (News and Commentary.) The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has launched a new call to action urging its members to support federal legislation aimed at limiting how Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast data can be used. The effort reflects growing concern among general aviation pilots that a system … [Read more...] about ADS-B, Privacy, and the Growing Tension in a Shared Airspace
