Summary of H.R. 7613: Aircraft Collision Mitigation and Airspace Safety Act
Overview
H.R. 7613, the Aircraft Collision Mitigation and Airspace Safety Act, is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 20, 2026. The main purpose of the bill is to enhance aviation safety by requiring certain aircraft to be equipped with collision mitigation technology, improving helicopter route safety and separation around airports, updating air traffic control processes and procedures, and addressing national airspace system safety in Department of Defense activities.
Key Provisions
The bill would:
Collision Mitigation Technology: Require certain passenger and cargo aircraft to be equipped with collision mitigation technology, such as Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS), to help prevent mid-air collisions.
Helicopter Route Safety: Mandate improvements to helicopter route safety and separation around airports to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents involving helicopters.
Air Traffic Control Updates: Direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update air traffic control processes and procedures to enhance the efficiency and safety of the national airspace system.
DoD Airspace Safety: Address national airspace system safety issues related to Department of Defense (DoD) activities, including coordination between the FAA and DoD to ensure the safe integration of military operations.
Affected Parties
The bill would primarily impact:
- Passenger and cargo airlines, who would be required to equip their aircraft with collision mitigation technology
- Helicopter operators, who would need to comply with new route safety and separation requirements around airports
- The FAA, which would be responsible for implementing the bill's provisions and updating air traffic control processes
- The Department of Defense, which would need to coordinate with the FAA to address airspace safety concerns
Timeline and Next Steps
The bill was introduced in the House on February 20, 2026 and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services for consideration. If passed by the House and Senate, and signed into law by the President, the bill's provisions would need to be implemented by the relevant federal agencies, likely over a period of several years.
