Writer

AmyWilder

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), ranking member of the Senate&nbsp; Commerce Committee, wrote a <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/3DE0B435-83D1-4A5E-B10D-27CB65D29677">letter on March 7</a> voicing concerns about the Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of an exemption that allows helicopters to operate in the National Capital Region without automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) Out activated. The senator’s concerns stem from the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2025-01-30/us-army-helicopter-american-airlines-flight-collide">January 2025 fatal crash</a>&nbsp;near Washington, D.C., in which a U.S. Army Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter was operating without ADS-B Out during a routine check ride.
In the letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cantwell pointed to a 2019 exemption issued by the previous Trump Administration allowing federal, state, and local government entities, including the DOD, to operate certain aircraft without ADS-B Out for “sensitive operations.” While the FAA cautioned that this exemption should not be routinely used, Cantwell expressed concern that the DOD has taken advantage of this rule more broadly than intended.
The senator noted a 2023 DOD statement that both the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and Marine Helicopter Squadron One operate all missions without ADS-B Out activated. This contradicts the FAA’s guidance that non-transmission of ADS-B should be rare, she maintained. “It is not credible to assert that each of the several thousand helicopter flights operated annually in the National Capital Region is sufficiently sensitive to merit a blanket exemption,” Cantwell wrote.
Cantwell referenced reports of Army and Air Force aircraft flying without ADS-B Out for non-sensitive events, such as honorary funeral flyovers at Arlington Cemetery and recruitment events at Howard University. These activities, she argued, do not qualify as “sensitive” operations.
Cantwell’s letter outlined several questions for the DOD, including how the agency determines which flights qualify for the ADS-B Out exemption, how often the DOD has used the exemption since 2019, and whether any assessments or audits have been conducted to ensure proper usage. The senator has called for greater transparency and review of the DOD’s ADS-B Out practices to enhance aviation safety in the region.
This inquiry comes in the wake of a tragic January collision between the Black Hawk and a commercial PSA CRJ700 regional flight, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, that killed 67 people, following the NTSB’s confirmation that the Black Hawk helicopter was not transmitting ADS-B Out.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Cantwell Presses DOD over Use of ADS-B Exemption in D.C. Area

Letter questions routine exemptions, inquires about oversight

Sen. Cantwell seeks answers from DOD on ADS-B Out exemption for flights in the National Capital Region after fatal January crash. 

Cantwell Questions DOD’s ADS-B 'Sensitive' Exemption Use

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Regulatory disconnects have resulted in shrinking numbers of UK-registered aircraft

Business Aviation Leaders Call for UK To Rejoin EASA

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

A listening session will be held in April for feedback on medical certification

AOPA Supports FAA’s Delay on Med Certification Changes

Charlotte Bailey

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Approval means deliveries can now start from the Airbus U.S. factory in Mississippi

FAA Clears Airbus H125 Helicopter for Single-pilot IFR Operations

Kerry Lynch

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Lawmakers, aviation leaders signal they have little appetite for privatization debate

Leaders Reiterate Need for Consensus on ATC Overhaul

Academy+ option provides product training on a subscription basis

Web Manuals Offers Aviation Documentation Training 

Every Democrat on Commerce Committee voted against nomination

DOT Deputy Sec Nom Bradbury Advances to Senate Floor

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

More In Regulations and Government

Business Aviation Leaders Call for UK To Rejoin EASA

Regulatory disconnects have resulted in shrinking numbers of UK-registered aircraft

AOPA Supports FAA’s Delay on Med Certification Changes

A listening session will be held in April for feedback on medical certification

FAA Clears Airbus H125 Helicopter for Single-pilot IFR Operations

Approval means deliveries can now start from the Airbus U.S. factory in Mississippi

Leaders Reiterate Need for Consensus on ATC Overhaul

Lawmakers, aviation leaders signal they have little appetite for privatization debate

Web Manuals Offers Aviation Documentation Training

Academy+ option provides product training on a subscription basis

DOT Deputy Sec Nom Bradbury Advances to Senate Floor

Every Democrat on Commerce Committee voted against nomination

Saudi Arabia Signals Desire To Unlock Business Aviation Growth

Regulator releases plan to make market access easier

NOAA Seeing Probationary Employee Layoffs

More than 800 of 12,000 NOAA employees are reported in line with the layoffs

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN