McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to conduct a comprehensive review of existing regulations, policies, and guidance related to low-altitude airspace safety . This review, to be completed within six months of enactment, must involve consultation with various stakeholders, including helicopter operators, general aviation pilots, and uncrewed aircraft system operators. The Administrator's review will specifically consider several critical areas. These include assessing whether current FAA policies adequately identify when temporary obstructions like slacklines, tight ropes, and wires should be marked or lighted to reduce aircraft strike risks. The bill also directs the FAA to explore improvements in Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and obstacle data to ensure consistent digital depiction across flight planning tools and avionics systems. Furthermore, the review will examine ways to enhance coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, and local land management agencies, such as the National Park Service, regarding activities that could create low-altitude aviation hazards. It will also evaluate the sufficiency of existing penalties for airspace violations and suggest improvements for FAA outreach to non-aviation communities to boost awareness and compliance. If the review determines that policies for marking or lighting temporary obstructions are inadequate, the Administrator must update the relevant FAA regulations, guidance, or policies within one year. Finally, the Administrator is required to brief key Congressional committees within 90 days of the review's completion, detailing the findings, planned updates, and any recommendations for legislative action to further enhance low-altitude airspace safety.