Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026, aims to significantly enhance safety standards for turbine-powered helicopters that carry two or more passengers for compensation or hire. It addresses a recognized regulatory gap by requiring these operations, often conducted under Part 135, to meet safety, training, and maintenance requirements equivalent to the more rigorous standards of Part 121 commercial airline operations. Specifically, operators will be mandated to install advanced safety equipment , including terrain awareness systems, cockpit voice recorders, and flight data recorders. They must also adhere to Part 121 standards for pilot qualification, duty and rest, and maintenance programs . The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is directed to issue final regulations within 18 months and rescind any inconsistent exemptions, with operators given 24 months for full compliance, excluding emergency medical services. To support these changes, the bill authorizes $50,000,000 annually for the FAA from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for implementation, enforcement, and oversight, including the hiring and training of aviation safety inspectors. Non-compliant operators will face penalties consistent with Part 121 violations, and the FAA must submit an implementation plan to Congress detailing staffing and integration progress.