‍DALLAS — The potential for midair collisions in controlled airspace is always present, especially when slow-flying helicopters operate at low altitudes and fixed-wing aircraft are involved. We can recall the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) mid-air collision in January. 

The FAA responded immediately by restricting helicopter operations in the area to only the most essential ones, thereby eliminating the possibility of collisions between helicopters and airplanes in the airport’s vicinity.

This accident prompted the FAA to conduct a more in-depth analysis of other potentially critical areas, highlighting that aviation safety must be dynamic and allow for continuous improvement.

The analysis covers airports where helicopter routes intersect with airplane traffic. The Gulf of America is also included due to the significant number of helicopter flights over the sea.

The numerous existing issues at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas made it the first focus of this ongoing analysis. The FAA says the problems there are substantial and cannot be ignored.

Harry Reid International Airport: Problems, Solutions

At this airport, violations of Class B separation rules occur almost routinely, as ATC operators fail to issue traffic advisories to air tour helicopters regarding departing or arriving airplanes. Additionally, there are no defined lateral or vertical limits for the arrival and departure corridors applicable to local helicopter operators—there is only a single mutual agreement in place.

The FAA responded with directives to establish better control over helicopter operations in the airport zone and mandated more frequent traffic advisories to pilots. Initial results are promising: in just the first three weeks of implementing these measures, the number of collision avoidance system reports dropped by 30%. Further measures are planned.

Issues at Other Airports

However, when discussing mixed air traffic, it’s not only about helicopters and airplanes. It also includes various types of operations—such as faster and slower aircraft, and aircraft flying to and from multiple closely spaced airports.

That’s why traffic flow around Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in the Los Angeles area is also being analyzed. These two airports are less than 10 miles apart, serve a wide variety of aircraft, and have closely aligned runways for takeoff and landing.

Roundtable, Proposals, Solutions

According to many experts, the core safety issues for rotorcraft remain in operations and maintenance, regardless of the public focus on airplane-helicopter interactions. The leading causes of rotorcraft-related aviation accidents include loss of control, collisions with objects at low altitude, and both unintended and intentional flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions.

These and other issues—as well as new initiatives to address them—were discussed at the Rotorcraft Safety Roundtable held on April 22, 2025. Participants included FAA experts, representatives of safety institutions, helicopter operators, and rotorcraft associations.

The roundtable attendees reached a consensus on proposals to improve flight safety. These include increased FAA involvement in peer pilot programs to boost engagement, mandatory training for FAA inspectors on the application of the Safety Management System (SMS) rules, and enhanced promotion of SMS principles.

Other highlighted needs include a greater emphasis on simulation and technology, a review of the simulator approval process, the expansion of the FAA’s weather camera system, and the extension of IFR routes to enable safer low-altitude navigation for helicopters.

To implement all agreed recommendations, the FAA has established an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) aimed at enhancing the safety of commercial air tours. This committee includes aircraft and technology manufacturers, air tour operators and organizations, and aviation safety experts. The first meeting will be held on May 20, and recommendations are expected by the end of September 2025.

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