AIR SAFETY LEGISLATION REMAINS KEY FOCUS ON CAPITOL HILL
August 21, 2026
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
On July 16, 2026, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act which would, among other things, instruct the FAA to address urgent aviation safety issues by reviewing and updating existing safeguards for temporary obstructions in low-altitude airspace (e.g., slacklines). Following the fatal crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last year, House and Senate lawmakers are introducing more legislation aimed at improving air safety. Similar to the well-publicized Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (“ALERT”) Act which was introduced in response to the DCA crash and would require most commercial aircraft to be equipped with integrated Automatic Dependent Broadcast-In technology by December 31, 2031, this Act functions as a response to a fatal aviation incident last year where a helicopter collided with a slackline in Oregon killing four individuals onboard. If enacted into law, the Act seeks to improve pilot awareness, hazard markings, and reports for low-altitude obstructions while also requiring the FAA to modernize regulations concerning low-altitude airspace hazards.
This Aviation Regulatory Update is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Evelyn D. Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew M. Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Tyler R. Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com; Xander B. Silva at 412.566.6069 or xsilva@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
