Airplane Geeks Podcast 884 ROTOR Act and ALERT Act
The House fails to pass the ROTOR Act, and the competing ALERT Act is introduced. The military is shooting down drones with a laser, combat action in the Middle East is disrupting commercial flights, former President Biden flies commercial, Breeze Airways continues to expand, and United adds a new passenger requirement to its Contract of Carriage. Plus, more feedback on the Lockheed Constellation, and the passion for flying.
Aviation News
U.S. House rejects aviation safety bill after Pentagon abruptly withdraws support
When we talked about the ROTOR Act last week, we explained that the Senate unanimously passed the bill requiring ADS-B In and that a House vote was scheduled. Before the House vote, the Pentagon withdrew its support, saying that the bill could create “unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks.” The bill failed to meet the required two-thirds majority: 264 in favor and 133 opposed, with more than 130 Republicans voting against it.
Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said, “This bill will undermine our national security. Requiring our fighters and bombers and highly classified assets to regularly broadcast their location puts our men and women in uniform at risk.”
Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., the chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, called the ROTOR Act an “unworkable government mandate” that would be “burdensome” to some pilots.
ALERT Act Aviation Safety Bill Introduced in U.S. House
Graves and Rogers put their support behind their own bipartisan bill, known as the ALERT Act, or Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act. It is broader, more process‑driven, and relies more on future FAA rulemaking.
The ROTOR Act uses mandates and concentrates on collision‑avoidance and traffic‑awareness, especially mandatory ADS‑B In equipage for aircraft operating near airports, plus related airspace reviews and military‑civil coordination.
The ALERT Act uses rulemaking to implement essentially all ~50 NTSB recommendations from the DCA midair, including tech, ATC staffing/training, helicopter routes, DCA‑specific procedures, and FAA safety culture reforms.
Military Laser Downs CBP Drone, Tiny TFR Established
When Federal Agencies Start Shooting at Each Other’s Drones, We Have a Real Airspace Problem
The Defence Department has a laser weapon that can shoot down drones. Recently, a TFR closed the airspace in El Paso due to a drone downing. Now, Congress has been briefed that along the Mexican border at Fort Hancock, Texas, a Defense Department laser weapon shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone. In response, the FAA issued a TFR for that area.
In a statement, three lawmakers said, “Our heads are exploding over the news that DoD reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone using a high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system.”
Also, “We said MONTHS ago that the White House’s decision to sidestep a bipartisan, tri-committee bill to appropriately train C-UAS operators and address the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, DHS and the FAA was a short-sighted idea. Now, we’re seeing the result of its incompetence.”
Hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded by flight disruptions after attack on Iran
Military combat in Iran and the surrounding region has forced the diversion and cancellation of flights. Airspace was closed by Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The United Arab Emirates announced a “temporary and partial closure” of its airspace. Reportedly, hundreds of thousands of travelers were impacted and either stranded or diverted to other airports. Important hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were closed. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad typically move about 90,000 passengers per day through those hubs.
Three US Fighter Jets Accidentally Shot Down by Kuwaiti Air Defenses
On 1 March 2026, three USAF F‑15E Strike Eagles were shot down over Kuwait by Kuwaiti air-defense systems during combat operations against Iran. U.S. Central Command described it as an apparent friendly‑fire incident; all six crew members ejected and were recovered.
Biden flies commercial from DCA and winds up stuck in delays like everyone else
Imagine getting settled into your seat on a commuter flight from DCA to Columbia, South Carolina, and realizing that your seatmate is a former President of the United States.
Breeze adding new nonstop options from Portland, Maine
Breeze Airways is adding new, summer seasonal nonstop flights from the Portland International Jetport to Akron/Canton and Cincinnati. Breeze is also adding new Breeze Thru service options, providing same plane, one-stop flights to Savannah, Georgia, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Breeze Thru service to Savannah starts July 1, 2026, with the service to Myrtle Beach on July 2, 2026.
BreezeThru flights include a quick stop at an airport along the way to your destination. Just hang out. There’s no need to change planes or recheck bags. Your reservation will have a single confirmation number for both segments.
United Threatens To Kick Off Passengers Who Don’t Use Headphones
United Airlines has added a new passenger requirement to Rule 21 Refusal of Transport in its Contract of Carriage. Item 22 reads, “Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.” Under the Contract of Carriage, “UA shall have the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point, any Passenger…” for the stated reasons.
United Airlines Contract of Carriage.
Delta Air Lines Contract of Carriage: U.S.
American Airlines Conditions of Carriage.
Singapore Airshow 2026
Brian Coleman brings us interviews from the Singapore Airshow. In this episode, he and Grant McHerron talk with Nigel Pittaway, the Editor of Australia Defence Magazine.
Mentioned
Stories about Flying: Armchair Accident Investigators
Veteran airline stowaway strikes again, this time on a Newark-to-Milan flight
Aviation Safety Network, Focke-Wulf FWP-149D, N9145.
Hosts this Episode
Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.