The U.S. Army has decided to curtail VIP military helicopter flights near the Pentagon. This development follows earlier reports that safety concerns arose after a fatal collision on January 29 between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan airport, according to a senator’s statement on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that the Federal Aviation Administration, in response to a close call on May 1, barred the Army from conducting training or priority transport flights. Presently, negotiations are underway to establish a memorandum with the Army governing future military flights near commercial planes.
Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican who chairs an aviation subcommittee, has told reporters that the Army plans to limit training missions near Reagan Washington National Airport. Additionally, restrictions are set to be introduced on the number of senior military and defense officials who can utilize helicopters for transport. This raises important questions about the balance between military operations and civilian safety.
To conclude, these changes stem from a tragic incident and a subsequent near-miss, both of which underscore the need for stringent safety measures in the air.
