What does Preamble of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to establish safety equipment, training, and maintenance requirements. The requirements apply to turbine-powered helicopters carrying two or more passengers for compensation or hire.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to helicopter passenger service operations. It notes that some helicopter operators under Part 135 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations conduct operations similar to Part 121 scheduled passenger operations. These Part 135 operations currently avoid more stringent standards for pilot training, maintenance, and equipment compared to Part 121. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recognized this gap and proposed rulemaking, but it remains unfinalized. The findings state that public safety necessitates rotorcraft passenger services adhering to standards comparable to those for airlines. The Act aims to complement, not duplicate, the FAA's Safety Management System final rule issued in 2024. Recent helicopter accidents, including the April 2025 Hudson River crash, have revealed issues like pilot fatigue, inadequate maintenance, and insufficient equipment.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Part 121 operations” refers to operations conducted under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “Part 121 operators” are defined as operators conducting part 121 operations. “Part 135 operations” refers to operations conducted under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “Part 135 operators” are defined as operators conducting part 135 operations. The term “rotorcraft” is defined by reference to section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

What does SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS FOR HELICOPTER of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes safety equipment and operational standards for helicopter operations. The requirements apply to turbine-powered helicopters carrying two or more passengers for compensation or hire. Operators must comply with safety equipment, training, and maintenance requirements equivalent to those applicable to part 121 operations. Required equipment includes terrain awareness systems, cockpit voice recorders, and flight data recorders. Operators must also adhere to part 121 standards for pilot qualification, duty and rest, and maintenance programs. Operators must achieve full compliance within 24 months of the Act's enactment. The Administrator may grant an extension of up to 6 months for operators demonstrating good faith progress toward compliance. Operations conducted exclusively for emergency medical services under subpart L of part 135 are exempt from these requirements.

What does RULEMAKING. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue final regulations within 18 months of the Act's enactment. The Administrator must also rescind or modify any exemptions, interpretations, or guidance that are inconsistent with the Act.

What does ENFORCEMENT. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section concerns enforcement of the Act. Operators who fail to comply with the Act's requirements are subject to penalties. These penalties include certificate actions and enforcement measures. The enforcement measures are the same as those applicable to part 121 operators under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A total of $50,000,000 is authorized for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. The funds are intended to carry out the requirements of this Act. Authorized activities include rulemaking, enforcement, oversight, and hiring/training aviation safety inspectors. The purpose of these activities is to strengthen maintenance and operational surveillance of rotorcraft operators.

What does IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to submit a report to congressional committees. The report must be submitted within 12 months of the Act's enactment. The report should detail staffing needs for implementing the Act. It must also describe steps taken to hire and train additional aviation safety inspectors. Finally, the report should outline progress in integrating rotorcraft operators into oversight systems.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the effective date for the Act's requirements.

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Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/9/2026 · Introduced: 4/9/2026

Author: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates that turbine-powered helicopter operators carrying two or more passengers for compensation or hire adhere to safety equipment, training, and maintenance standards equivalent to those for airlines (Part 121 operations).
The bill authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support rulemaking, enforcement, oversight, and inspector training related to helicopter safety.
Within 18 months of enactment, the FAA must finalize regulations aligning helicopter safety standards with those for airlines and rescind any conflicting exemptions or guidance.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 8 more.

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