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DOT Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced on Wednesday a new general notice (GENOT) meant to increase safety in areas where helicopters cross arrival and departure paths near busy airports.
The use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters has now been suspended in Class B airspace, Class C airspace and Terminal Radar Service Areas. The FAA states that visual separation is not enough of a safety mitigation tool when in high-traffic areas. Instead, air traffic controllers are now required to use radar to actively manage these aircraft and keep them separated at specific lateral or vertical distances.
"Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public," said 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."
The new mandate was made in response to the Potomac midair collision in Jan. 2025, when an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ 700 collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to DCA, killing 67 people. The helicopter was using visual separation at the time of the crash. The FAA also reports two near-misses in 2026. American Airlines Flight 1657 nearly collided with a police helicopter at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) on Feb. 27 and a Beechcraft 99 was on a converging course with a helicopter at the Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) on March 2. While both helicopters were able to avoid collision, the incidents highlight the need for radar use in these areas.
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"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 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."
The FAA warns that helicopter operators may have to adjust flight routes or be delayed while controllers ensure they maintain a safe distance from other aircraft. If a helicopter is conducting an urgent medical or LEO mission and requests to fly through these heavy-traffic areas, airline operations may be disrupted to allow priority clearance.