Thirty-four Orgs Write to FAA, Congress for Controller Staffing, Tech, and Funding

Thirty-four of the most dominant aviation organizations have taken a stand, writing a letter urging Congress and the FAA to improve air traffic control staffing, technology, and funding. The statement supports an overarching push for ATC upgrades after numerous recent tragedies, whether they were directly tied to the issue or not.

The coalition is made up of numerous commercial and general aviation stakeholders, including the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and 29 others.

Their letter explained that federal agencies “must support air traffic controller workforce hiring and training, modernize and deploy state-of-the-art air traffic control facilities and equipment, implement procurement and program efficiencies and facility realignment, and address budget reforms for the Airport & Airway Trust Fund (AATF).” It also proposed setting aside emergency funds for ATC infrastructure, getting rid of legacy airspace components, and exempting the FAA from government shutdowns.

The stakeholders took a hit at the recent federal interest in ATC privatization, calling it a “distraction” from the painfully outdated system and long-overdue reform. This controversial plan would shift operations to an independent organization that reports to the FAA, giving airlines more influence on the airspace.

While support for ATC modernization is a well-established concept, the organizations are “united in our grief over recent aviation accidents and our commitment to making sure that accidents like these never happen again.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also suggested several changes to ATC standards, including extending the retirement age cap and preventing short-staffed operations, following the mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that killed 67 people in late January. Initial insight revealed that the airport’s tower was not fully staffed when the accident occurred.

“Our organizations are ready to work with you to ensure the FAA is more capable and prepared to deliver economic growth, foster American innovation, adapt to challenges, and continue to be the safest, largest, and most complex air traffic control system in the world,” the letter concluded.

FMI: www.faa.gov