The failure of a bipartisan aviation safety bill following a deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C. highlights how difficult it remains to turn tragedy into even basic reform.
The legislation was crafted in the wake of the D.C. tragedy with the support of families of the victims, aviation safety advocates, pilots’ unions, and former investigators who argued that basic technological improvements could significantly reduce the risk of midair collisions in congested airspace.
At its core, the ROTOR Act would have mandated that both civilian and military aircraft operating in busy U.S. airspace be equipped with enhanced tracking technology, specifically ADS-B In systems, which allow pilots to see real-time position information of nearby aircraft in the cockpit. Existing ADS-B Out transponders broadcast an aircraft’s position, but without ADS-B In, crews cannot receive that data from others, a limitation that investigators say contributed to the 2025 crash.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
