Senator Jerry Moran Introduces New Bill Tied to the DCA Crash

US Senator Jerry Moran has introduced a bill that would require all aircraft operating in Class B airspace to use both ADS-B In and Out. This comes as one side of the industry fights safety concerns and the other pushes for the privacy it was promised.

In his introduction, Senator Moran cited the lack of ADS-B Out transmitting from the US Army Blackhawk helicopter involved in the January 29 crash near Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). The rotorcraft collided with an American Airlines jet approaching a runway, killing 67 people and leaving no survivors.

Less than two months later, the FAA announced that all aircraft flying in DCA’s Class B airspace would be forced to turn on ADS-B Out. The agency also clarified that the new rule would only be effective at DCA for the time being.

Senator Moran is looking to change that. His legislation would ensure that “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,” he continued.

ADS-B Out is already required in much of the US’s controlled airspace, especially near airports as busy as those with Class B airspace designations. Exemptions can currently be granted to certain aircraft, including mostly older birds that were not originally certified with an electrical system.

While this technology was introduced as a way to “improve air traffic safety and airspace efficiencies,” its use by third-party organizations has gotten somewhat out of hand. Montana legislators even recently signed a bill limiting frivolous use of ADS-B tracking data to battle the recent trend of US airports using it to impose landing fees and needless restrictions on general aviation planes.

FMI: www.moran.senate.gov