SE Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, has introduced legislation aimed at enhancing aviation safety. The proposed law mandates that all aircraft operating in Class B airspace install and use Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out systems.

Class B airspace refers to high-volume areas typically surrounding the nation's busiest airports. Presently, the Secretary of Transportation can grant exemptions allowing certain aircraft to fly without active ADS-B systems through congested airspace. Moran's legislation seeks to eliminate these exemptions and empower the Secretary of Transportation to require installation of safety-critical ADS-B hardware on aircraft, improving safety communication and accident prevention.

"The tragic midair collision on January 29 and the two recent near misses at Reagan National Airport demonstrate an urgent need for improvements to aviation safety to make certain the airspace near some of our nation’s busiest airports are safe," said Moran. "This legislation will make certain aircraft in airspace like DCA are transmitting and receiving important tracking data to both protect themselves and help air traffic control better conduct landings and takeoffs. The Army and the FAA must fully cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board as they continue their investigations, and the flight restrictions around DCA must remain in place until all investigations are complete."

Following a midair collision near DCA on January 29th, where a military helicopter was found not transmitting ADS-B Out by the NTSB, the FAA implemented a requirement effective March 27th mandating all aircraft flying in Class B airspace around DCA activate ADS-B Out.