Bipartisan Air Safety Legislation Would Mitigate Helicopter Traffic Risks

WASHINGTON—Today, Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), issued the following statement after U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced a bipartisan agreement on aviation safety legislation that responds to the January PSA Airlines Flight 5342 tragedy:

"ALPA applauds Chair Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell for their bipartisan leadership in advancing critical aviation safety measures through their agreement on the ROTOR Act This legislation represents a significant step forward in preventing future tragedies by immediately closing dangerous loopholes and mandating enhanced safety technology.

"The bipartisan agreement makes crucial improvements that will save lives. By requiring ADS-B In uniformly for all commercial aircraft users in the system, the bill allows pilots to see nearby aircraft on their displays, improves situational awareness, and will prevent future tragedies. The bill also ends the loophole that allows tåoo many military flights to not broadcast out their position to air traffic control and commercial airline pilots and improves oversight of mixed traffic and high-density airports that our members and their passengers operate in daily.

"ALPA members are among the highest trained pilots in the world and are fully capable of operating in complex airspace environments. Removing layers of unnecessary risk through enhanced technology and stronger safety protocols is always the right approach. This legislation provides critical additional layers of safety by improving aircraft tracking, enhancing situational awareness for all operators, and ensuring better coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities. The measure also requires a comprehensive FAA safety review of major and mid-sized airports.

"ALPA will continue to work with Senators Cruz and Cantwell, other members of Congress, and the families of PSA Flight 5342 to ensure swift passage and implementation of this vital safety legislation.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org