FAA Makes Helicopter Restrictions near Reagan National Airport Permanent | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

FAA Makes KDCA Helicopter Restrictions Permanent

Interim rule implements urgent March 2025 NTSB safety recommendation

updated route chart — The FAA updated helicopter route charts at KDCA in October 2025.

By Amy Wilder • Writer

January 26, 2026

The FAA has issued an interim final rule permanently restricting the operation of helicopters and powered lift in the vertical-lift flight mode in a defined area of airspace near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). This formalizes measures temporarily enacted after the fatal Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision over the Potomac River.

Published in the Federal Register on Friday, the rule adds a new subpart to FAR Part 93 and prohibits helicopters and powered-lift aircraft operating in vertical-lift mode from flying in a designated area between the Memorial Bridge, Hains Point, and the Wilson Bridge unless conducting an essential operation. According to the rule, the restrictions are intended “to mitigate the potential for midair collisions resulting from insufficient separation between fixed-wing aircraft operating to or from KDCA and helicopters or powered-lift operating in the vertical-lift flight mode near KDCA.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

GAO: FAA Progressing on ATC Reform, but Needs Better Schedule

GAO report criticized implementation of new air traffic control system

Regulations and Government

GAO report airport tower

GAMA Cheers Congress Action on FAA Certification Bill

Approved by committee, the legislation now goes to the House floor

Regulations and Government

U.S. Capitol

AINsight: How To Use AI When Buying an Aircraft

Use AI cautiously and assess its output

Regulations and Government

abstract image of business jet

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

Regulations and Government

African Business Aviation Association

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Regulations and Government

A patient sit's at a doctor's desk while she reviews information on paper in front of her

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Regulations and Government

US Capitol rotunda

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

Regulations and Government

Garofalo

New Treasury Rule Limits LLC Information Reporting

The revision relaxes some provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act

Regulations and Government

Business jet taking off