The Safe Airspace for Americans Act asks the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create a system for collecting and studying reports about unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) from pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation workers. The bill protects people who report these incidents from losing their jobs or pilot licenses, and it sets up rules to keep the reports confidential. The FAA must finish setting up these procedures within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
What would the FAA have to do?
The FAA would need to create standard ways to collect, report, and study incidents involving UAP. This includes gathering information about any strange objects in the air, things that move between space and water, or anything that disrupts flight instruments. The FAA would also have to set up a system to store this information and investigate incidents quickly. Within 180 days, the FAA must decide whether to use an existing reporting program or create a new one just for UAP reports.
Who would be protected from retaliation?
The bill protects pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, and other aviation workers from losing their jobs or facing punishment for reporting UAP. It also protects federal employees and contractors from having their security clearances taken away or being fired for reporting. Airlines cannot issue cease and desist letters to people who report UAP to the FAA.
How would this affect pilot licenses and medical certificates?
Reporting a UAP sighting cannot be used against pilots when the FAA evaluates their medical fitness or competency for a pilot license. The bill makes clear that spotting or reporting UAP is not a sign of mental health problems.
Who else would be involved?
The FAA would share all reports and data with the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office at the Department of Defense. The FAA would also coordinate with other agencies including the Department of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, NASA, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an unidentified anomalous phenomenon under this bill?
The bill defines UAP as an airborne object that is not immediately identifiable, an object that moves between space and the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and water, or a submerged object that displays unusual behavior or performance.
``unidentified anomalous phenomena'' means-- (A) an airborne object that is not immediately identifiable; (B) a transmedium object or device; and (C) a submerged object or device that-- (i) is not immediately identifiable; and (ii) displays behavior or performance characteristics suggesting that the object or device may be related to an object described in subparagraph (A).
Can the FAA use UAP reports to fine or punish pilots?
No. The bill says the FAA cannot use reports submitted under this system in any enforcement action except for information about accidents or criminal offenses.
The Administrator may not use reports submitted under this section (or information derived therefrom) in any enforcement action except information concerning accidents or criminal offenses.
What happens if an airline tries to punish someone for reporting UAP?
The bill prohibits air carriers and commercial operators from firing, threatening to fire, or issuing cease and desist letters to anyone who reports UAP to the FAA.
An air carrier or commercial operator under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations shall not-- (1) take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action, or termination of employment, with respect to any individual as a reprisal for spotting, visually witnessing or reporting of unidentified anomalous phenomena to the Administrator; or (2) issue a cease and desist letter to any individual or organization for spotting, visually witnessing, or reporting of unidentified anomalous phenomena to the Administrator.
How long does the FAA have to set up the reporting system?
The FAA must develop procedures, establish a reporting system, and create a communications strategy within 180 days after the bill becomes law.
Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
Related Intelligence
Safe Airspace for Americans Act
H.R. 5231 (119th Congress): Safe Airspace for Americans Act.
Open fileUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena
Unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) is the official U.S. government term for objects or devices in the air, underwater, or moving between both that can't be readily identified.
Open fileTrans-Medium UAP
Trans-medium UAP are objects or devices seen moving between space and air, or between air and water, that cannot be immediately identified.
Open file