The Safe Airspace for Americans Act asks the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create a system for collecting and studying reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) from pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation workers. The bill also protects people who report these incidents from losing their jobs or pilot licenses.
What does the bill ask the FAA to do?
Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, the FAA must set up procedures to collect, store, and analyze reports of UAP incidents from aviation workers. The bill also requires the FAA to investigate these incidents quickly, save radar data and pilot communications that could help with investigations, and figure out what safety risk UAP pose to U.S. airspace.
How does the bill protect people who report UAP?
The bill includes several protections. Pilots and aviation workers cannot lose their medical certificates or pilot licenses just for spotting or reporting UAP. Federal employees and contractors cannot be fired or have their security clearances taken away for reporting UAP. Air carriers (airlines) cannot fire workers or send cease and desist letters to people for reporting UAP to the FAA.
Which agencies will work together on this?
The FAA must coordinate with 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. The FAA will share all reports and data with the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office at the Department of Defense.
How will people report UAP incidents?
Within 180 days, the FAA must decide whether to use the existing Aviation Safety Reporting Program or create a new separate system for UAP reports. Either way, the system must let people describe the object and how it moved. If possible, pilots should be able to submit reports through an electronic flight bag (a tablet-like device used in aircraft) without affecting their ability to fly the plane safely.
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 behavior suggesting it may be related to an unidentified airborne object.
Can the FAA use UAP reports to punish pilots or workers?
No. The bill says the FAA cannot use reports (or information from them) in enforcement actions, except for information about accidents or criminal offenses.
What happens if an airline tries to punish someone for reporting UAP?
The bill prohibits air carriers from firing workers or issuing cease and desist letters to people for reporting UAP to the FAA. Federal employees and contractors also cannot be fired or have security clearances revoked for reporting UAP.
Who introduced this bill and when?
Rep. Robert Garcia of California introduced the bill on January 11, 2024. It was co-sponsored by Representatives Grothman, Moskowitz, Mace, Ogles, and Luna.
Mr. Robert Garcia of California (for himself, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Moskowitz, Ms. Mace, Mr. Ogles, and Mrs. Luna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned