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Amy Wilder

ALPA president Jason Ambrosi testified before the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, urging lawmakers to treat a recent rise in close calls and two fatal accidents as an urgent call to action.
The <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/meetings/close-calls-improving-safety-across-the-national-airspace-system/">hearing</a> came as ALPA pointed to the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2025-01-30/us-army-helicopter-american-airlines-flight-collide">January 2025 midair collision</a> near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) and the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2026-03-31/asde-x-failed-alert-laguardia-runway-collision">March 22, 2026 ground collision</a> at New York LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) as evidence that pilots are too often left relying on last-second warning systems such as TCAS, which ALPA said offer limited alerting time, minimal traffic detail, and reduced performance near the ground.
“Two fatal accidents in 16 months tell us: good enough is no longer good enough,” Ambrosi said.
ALPA called on the committee to enact the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2503">ROTOR Act’s</a> integrated ADS-B In mandate, arguing it would give pilots earlier alerts and clearer traffic information than last-second systems such as TCAS. The union separately cautioned that voluntary, tablet-based alternatives would create new head-down distractions and risk delayed or missed alerts. Ambrosi cited NTSB simulations indicating that, had Flight 5342 been equipped with expanded ADS-B In capabilities, the flight crew would have received visual and aural alerts considerably earlier than with currently available alternatives.
ALPA also urged the FAA to accelerate deployment of surface surveillance and runway lighting systems, including the Airport Surface Surveillance Capability, Airport Surveillance Detection Equipment, Model X, and Runway Status Lights, which ALPA said remain installed at only a small fraction of U.S. airports. The organization also urged the FAA to add alerting capabilities to its Surface Awareness Initiative.
Among the organization's call-outs was a&nbsp;requirement by statute for military aircraft to broadcast ADS-B Out, so civilian pilots can see them, while preserving appropriate national security exemptions. ALPA reiterated support for the administration’s air traffic control modernization plan, calling for continued investment in controller staffing, aging infrastructure, and a common automation platform.
“This is the time for action, not the time to give in to special interests fighting progress,” Ambrosi said.

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