FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Capt. Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481/Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250

Allied Pilots Association Applauds Advancement of ROTOR Act

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 21, 2025) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, applauds the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for advancing Senate bill 2503, the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act.

“We would like to thank the committee’s leaders, Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, for their diligence and bipartisan work in tackling aviation safety reform after the tragedy of American Airlines Flight 5342,” said First Officer Nick Silva, APA President.

The ROTOR Act would require all newly manufactured aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast In equipment. It would also call for the FAA Administrator to initiate a study on establishing a dynamic restricted area near DCA.

“Recognizing safety is our number one priority,” President Silva said. “We thank the committee for seeking APA’s technical expertise while drafting this important legislation. APA’s subject matter experts are grateful for this opportunity to promote and enhance safety in the flight deck, which ultimately leads to greater safety measures for the flying public. We look forward to working with the full Senate to pass this critical legislation.”

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org.