A compromise version of the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2026 imposes new requirements on military aircraft operating over the Washington, D.C., metro area but also provides exemptions not present in the U.S. Senate’s proposed ROTOR Act.
The legislation would restrict military training flights from operating within a roughly 30-mile radius of the capital city unless they are actively broadcasting their position. But the secretaries of the departments of Defense and Transportation would have the power to waive the broadcasting requirement over national security concerns, or if commercial flights are judged not to be at risk.
