Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the legislation before us, the ROTOR Act.

The ROTOR Act seeks to fulfill a longstanding recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board to require ADS-B In technology on aircraft operating in our national airspace system. That recommendation reflects years of accident investigation and careful analysis.

But we must also recognize that this bill does not alone close the book on aviation safety. The NTSB recently released its final report on the DCA midair collision, which contains 50 safety recommendations. There is much more work to be done to address them comprehensively and thoughtfully.

We must also be cognizant of the feasibility of implementing the ROTOR Act for all national airspace system users. Safety mandates must be achievable in the real world. Small aircraft operators and regional jet operators could face significant challenges integrating new equipment, particularly if the Federal Aviation Administration were to insist on a fully integrated control panel solution. Costs, downtime, and certification hurdles are not abstract concerns. They are real burdens for operators working on tight margins.

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Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, flexibility will be crucial to ensure that all operators can be equipped with available situational awareness tools, including portable technologies and electronic flight bag solutions. I believe this will achieve the broadest implementation and the greatest safety benefits in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

The ROTOR Act isn't perfect. No bill ever is. But I remain committed to working with my colleagues to strengthen aviation safety without placing unnecessary burdens on those we depend on to keep America flying.

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