Senate Passes Bipartisan ROTOR Act to Close Aviation Safety Loopholes After PSA Flight 5342 Tragedy

 

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed the ROTOR Act, a piece of bipartisan aviation safety legislation in response to the January PSA Airlines Flight 5342 tragedy.

“This legislation closes the ADS-B Out loopholes that have allowed military and other government aircraft to fly near Washington National Airport and other busy airports without transmitting their location, speed, and altitude. The ROTOR Act crucially mandates uniform, integrated ADSB-In technology for commercial aircraft to provide pilots greater awareness to operate safely in our skies and represents a significant step forward in preventing future tragedies by immediately closing dangerous loopholes and mandating enhanced safety technology.

"ALPA commends Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) for their bipartisan leadership and demonstration that aviation safety rises above politics. Advancing the ROTOR Act shows what's possible when lawmakers put the safety of the flying public first and work together across party lines to deliver critical improvements.

"We should be working together to prevent the next accident, not inviting history to repeat itself by recreating the same conditions that were in place on January 29. The ROTOR Act represents the meaningful reform needed to prevent future tragedies and honor the lives lost. 

“ALPA will continue to work with members of Congress and the families of PSA Flight 5342 to help ensure that the lessons learned from January 29 result in real, lasting improvements to our national airspace system as this vital safety legislation moves to the President's desk."

Tags: Capt. Jason Ambrosi,  Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA)