H.R. 9695: McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act

This bill would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review its existing rules, policies, and guidance on low-altitude airspace safety within 6 months of enactment. The goal of the review is to identify ways to better prevent aircraft from striking temporary or hard-to-see obstacles near the ground.

What the FAA would have to examine

In doing the review, the FAA would consult with aviation and safety stakeholders, including:

• Helicopter and powered-lift aircraft operators and pilots
• Air medical operators
• General aviation pilots and aircraft owners
• Agricultural aviation operators
• Uncrewed aircraft system operators
• Aviation safety experts with knowledge of vertical flight operations
• Other stakeholders the FAA thinks are appropriate

The FAA would be asked to consider whether current policies clearly explain when certain temporary hazards—such as slacklines, tight ropes, highlines, wires, and similar obstructions—must be marked, lit, or otherwise identified. It would also look at whether these rules are effective at reducing the risk of aircraft collisions.

The review would also examine whether the FAA can improve aviation information systems, such as Notices to Airmen and obstacle data, so that hazards are shown more consistently in digital flight-planning tools, electronic flight bags, avionics systems, and related tools. The bill specifically mentions information such as:

• Coordinates
• Radius-distance
• Maximum height above ground level
• Effective dates and times
• Responsible party information
• Any marking, lighting, or identification required by the FAA

The FAA would also examine coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local land-management agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service, when activities may create low-altitude aviation hazards. In addition, the review would consider whether existing penalties for violating low-altitude airspace requirements are strong enough, and whether the FAA should improve outreach to non-aviation communities whose activities could create hazards in the national airspace system.

Possible rule updates

If the FAA decides current policies do not adequately explain marking or lighting requirements for slacklines or similar temporary obstructions, it would have to update FAA regulations, guidance, or policies within 1 year of enactment.

Reporting to Congress

Within 90 days after finishing the review, the FAA would have to brief relevant House and Senate committees on:

• The review’s findings
• Any regulations, guidance, or policies it plans to update
• Any recommendations for additional legislation to improve low-altitude airspace safety

Relevant Companies

None found