Urge your member of Congress to support an ADS-B In mandate as required in the Senate-passed ROTOR Act.
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced new measures to suspend the use of visual separation rules by planes and helicopters within the nation’s busiest airspace near airports.
“ALPA commends the DOT and FAA for suspending the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters near busy airports. This is a meaningful step forward, and it reflects the urgency that the aviation community has felt since last year’s tragedy at Washington National Airport.
“Helicopter traffic and airline traffic operating in close proximity do not mix. Today's general notice, which now requires air traffic controllers to use radar to actively manage separation between these aircraft types at specific lateral and vertical distances, makes important improvements. However, Congress must go a step further and substantially reduce risk by ensuring, by statute, that ADSB-Out transmission loopholes are closed and are not subject to broad, subjective military discretion or waivers.
“U.S. airline pilots are the most highly trained in the world, fully capable of operating in the most demanding airport environments. The world's best-trained pilots deserve the world's best-equipped flight decks. That starts with technology.
“The NTSB has recommended a mandate requiring the installation and operation of ADS-B In Cockpit Display of Traffic Information on commercial airline aircraft and all other aircraft that are currently required to be equipped with ADS-B Out, and ALPA strongly supports that recommendation. This technology tracks nearby aircraft in real time and warns pilots, through both an audible alert and an integrated flight deck display, when another aircraft is on a potential collision course. It is a proven, available solution. Pilots want it. This recommendation requires Congress to require it and ensure that it is integrated into the flight deck for optimal airspace safety, and it must be coupled with clear performance standards, as established in the ROTOR Act. The House must follow suit.
“The United States has the safest aviation system in the world, built on the skill of aviation professionals and a long-standing commitment to learning from tragedy. Now is the time to honor that commitment. We urge Congress to act without delay and mandate integrated ADS-B In technology.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.
CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
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