FAA Enhances Airplane-Helicopter Safety with Radar Separation Mandate

FAA Press Releases

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The FAA and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a new measure mandating radar separation between airplanes and helicopters in certain airspaces. This change suspends the use of visual separation, requiring air traffic controllers to actively manage aircraft to maintain specific distances, enhancing safety.

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What changed

The FAA, through a general notice (GENOT), has mandated the use of radar separation for managing aircraft in areas where helicopters frequently cross airplane arrival and departure paths near busy airports. This supersedes the previous reliance on visual separation, which allowed pilots to maintain separation based on sight. The new protocol requires air traffic controllers to actively manage these aircraft using radar to ensure specific lateral or vertical distances are maintained, based on a year-long safety review prompted by a mid-air collision near Washington National Airport.

This change will impact air traffic control operations nationwide, particularly in Class B and C airspace, and Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs). Helicopter operators may experience changes in transit approval processes. The FAA's proactive measure aims to mitigate risks identified through data analysis and incident reviews, moving away from an overreliance on 'see and avoid' operations to enhance overall aviation safety. Compliance with the new radar separation protocols is expected immediately.

What to do next

Review FAA General Notice (GENOT) regarding radar separation for airplanes and helicopters.
Update air traffic control procedures to mandate radar separation in Class B, Class C, and TRSA airspaces where applicable.
Communicate changes to relevant operational staff and potentially affected operators.

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Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy & Federal Aviation Administration Announce New Measure to Enhance Safety between Airplanes & Helicopters

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford today announced a new measure to enhance safety in areas where helicopters often cross both arrival and departure paths near busy airports.

The general notice (GENOT), which suspends the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters, now mandates that air traffic controllers will instead use radar to actively manage these aircraft to keep them separated at specific lateral or vertical distances.

This upgraded safety protocol is based on a year-long review by the FAA’s safety team that used innovative tools to review cross-traffic data and review incident reports.

“The tragedy over the Potomac one year ago revealed a startling truth: years of warning signs were missed, and the FAA needed dire reform. Since then, we’ve implemented numerous changes to protect the skies over our capital and keep the traveling public safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “But the job isn’t done. Using innovative data analysis, the safety team at the FAA has identified the need for enhanced protocols at all airports across the National Airspace System. The Trump Administration will continue to act decisively to keep you and your family safe when you fly.”

“Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Following the mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), we looked at similar operations across the national airspace. We identified an overreliance on pilot ‘see and avoid’ operations that contribute to safety events involving helicopters and airplanes.”

Why the FAA is Taking Action

Visual separation occurs when air traffic controllers advise pilots about nearby aircraft and allow them to remain visually clear of the other aircraft, in lieu of standard separation. The FAA’s data analysis revealed for high-traffic areas, visual separation was not enough of a safety mitigation tool.

Recent examples include:

On Friday, Feb. 27, American Airlines Flight 1657 was cleared to land at San Antonio International Airport in Texas when a police helicopter was flying through the airport’s final approach path. The helicopter and aircraft were on converging courses when the helicopter made a left-hand turn to avoid the American Airlines flight.
On Monday, March 2, a Beechcraft 99 was cleared to land at Hollywood Burbank Airport in Southern California and conflicted with a helicopter that was flying through the final approach path. The aircraft were on converging courses when the helicopter made a right-hand turn to avoid the Beechcraft. The FAA’s latest GENOT suspends visual separation in Class B and Class C airspace, and Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSA). Where helicopters cross airport arrival or departure paths, air traffic controllers will use radar to keep the aircraft specific lateral or vertical distances apart.

Following the DCA midair collision, the FAA began using innovative AI tools to evaluate airports nationwide with high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic and is implementing appropriate safety mitigations.

Additional Information:

Many helicopter operators who are used to obtaining immediate approval to transit through certain areas may have to adjust their flight routes or be delayed while controllers ensure they maintain safe distance from other aircraft.

When helicopter pilots, conducting urgent medical or LEO missions, request to fly through these heavy-traffic areas, airline operations to those airports may be disrupted in order to allow these missions priority clearance.

Reminder:

TIMELINE OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT DCA SINCE JAN. 29, 2025:

January 2025: Restricted helicopter traffic in the area over the Potomac River around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and stretching to Wilson Bridge
February 2025: Began reviewing other airports with high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic
February 2025: Temporarily eliminated the use of visual separation between helicopters and fixed wing aircraft by DCA.
March 2025: NTSB Issued two Safety Recommendations to the FAA
March 2025: Established procedures to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near the airport
March 2025: Amended local air traffic procedures to eliminate the use of visual separation between helicopters and fixed wing aircraft within 5 miles of the airport.
March 2025: Permanently closed Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge
March 2025: Revised agreements with the military to require ADS-B Out broadcasting
April 2025: Increased support, oversight and staffing for the DCA air traffic control team
May 2025: Discontinued operations from the Pentagon (JPN) until the FAA and DOW updated procedures and fixed technical issues at the Pentagon Heliport
June 2025: Secretary Duffy announced support for an independent audit by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG)
June 2025: Published modifications to helicopter zones and routes moving them farther away from flight paths at the airport.
June 2025: Conducted Safety Risk Management (SRM) panel on changes to DCA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 7110.2L (SRM document approved July 2025).
October 2025: Updated Helicopter routes and zones at DCA, IAD and BWI.
October 2025: Use Time Based Flow Management (TBFM) departure scheduling at Washington Center and the supporting facilities using the DCA Extended Departure Scheduling System.
January 2026: Published an Interim Final Rule that permanently restricts helicopters and powered-lift aircraft from operating in certain areas near DCA, unless it is for essential operations.