ALERT Act

Key Points

• This bill, called the ALERT Act, requires most airplanes and helicopters to install new technology that helps pilots avoid hitting other aircraft. It focuses on upgrading collision avoidance systems so they give better warnings and work more accurately when planes are flying close to the ground or near busy airports.
• Air travelers and pilots are the most affected. By requiring better tracking and warning tools, the bill aims to reduce near misses in the sky. It specifically targets busy areas like Washington, D.C., where many different types of aircraft—including military helicopters and commercial jets—share the same space.
• The policy addresses concerns about recent close calls between planes. It forces the FAA to update how air traffic controllers are trained and how they handle busy flight paths. It also requires the military to use the same tracking systems as civilian planes when flying over major cities so everyone can see each other on radar.
• Most of these changes would happen over the next few years. For example, the FAA must set a deadline for all affected planes to have the new gear by the end of 2031. The bill also creates a task force to improve the alerts air traffic controllers see on their screens to make sure they do not miss a potential crash.
• To keep things safe, the bill requires immediate drug and alcohol testing for air traffic controllers after any accident or serious incident. It also orders a deep dive into the safety culture of the government's air traffic agency to make sure employees feel comfortable reporting risks without getting in trouble.

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