ALPA Renews Call for Strengthened ADS-B Requirements

Union argues that integrated ADS-B In could have prevented January 2025 midair collision in Washington, D.C.

Zach Vasile

Monday, June 01, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A U.S. Army Black Hawk flies over Washington, D.C. [Credit: Nicholas Priest/U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and a pilot's family are urging lawmakers to mandate ADS-B In technology for both civilian and military aircraft to prevent future midair collisions, citing a past incident where a military helicopter's ADS-B Out was off.
They advocate for the inclusion of strong ADS-B In requirements in new aviation safety legislation, contrasting the Senate's ROTOR Act (which mandates it) with the House's ALERT Act (which does not and maintains the status quo for military aircraft).
Concerns exist regarding national security, with some arguing that mandatory military ADS-B use could expose aircraft movements to foreign adversaries.

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The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the family of a pilot killed in last year’s midair collision in Washington, D.C., are calling on lawmakers to strengthen ADS-B requirements as Congress works out new aviation safety legislation.

ALPA president Jason Ambrosi said Monday that the organization wants to see a federal mandate for the use of ADS-B In technology across both civilian and military aircraft. Most aircraft are already required to use ADS-B Out, which continuously broadcasts position and altitude, but use of ADS-B In, which receives air traffic information, is optional.